How can you tell what is the most influential bit of pop culture? We have clues, even if pop culture tastes change so rapidly. We can see how an art style, trend, or meme inspires other parts of general culture. So, what would you think one of the oldest world religions would have chosen to represent itself on the stage of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan? Yes, anime-style kawaii yuru designs occupy the most prominent mindshare space. Fiat lux. Or “Let there be Luce!”
The Vatican has several reasons why a cute pilgrim with muddy boots looks like an anime character. Every 25 years, the Roman Catholic Church declares a Jubilee Year. During that year, Catholics emphasize spiritual renewal and reconnection to traditions. That means making pilgrimages to holy sites, such as the Holy Land, the burial sites for saints, and shrines dedicated to miracles. Pilgrims need to travel, plan accommodations, and buy souvenirs. What better way to tie all these economic and merchandising opportunities than a singular brand ambassador? Also, the location of the World Expo in Japan during a Jubilee connects the brand to the regional culture. Visitors to the Holy See’s pavilion in Osaka between April and October can meet Luce and her pilgrim friends and angel companions as yuru mascots.
Oh, don’t worry, renaissance art fans. The Church will highlight Caravaggio’s entombment of Christ painting. But the presence of kawaii pilgrims greeting visitors and selling their likenesses in stickers, figures, and other souvenirs will be a draw for the locals.
Luce Brings the Memes, Fan Art, and Rule 34!
The Vatican’s Jubilee video presentation, all in Italian, appeared like a regular, typical press conference until little Luce’s unveiling. Her name means “light” in Italian, so it was a “fiat lux” moment. And you know what the internet does with anything cute with big eyes in the year of our Lord 2024. Memes, fan art, VTuber rigs, and, of course, Rule 34. AI image generation has exponentially increased the speed at which Luce and her friends transformed into a pop art phenomenon.
J-List’s Discord Server members flew into action, sharing memes from X. Luce’s metamorphosis into Brazilian Miku captured the internet zeitgeist. Others became fans of Luce’s companions and pets. (Tokidoki founder and illustrator Simone Legno helpfully provided their names, with Xin being an early fan favorite.) I liked the ones of Luce unsheathing a hidden sword from her pilgrim’s crook. And then, the lewding started.
You can scroll the #Luce tag on X for a mere taste of the memes and degeneracy only our subculture can produce.
More Japanese Connections at World Expo 2025
In addition to Luce and her friends, the Holy See will have other cultural ambassadors at its pavilion at Expo 2025. Mangaka Kan Takahama (Nyx no Lantern and Shishi to Botan), a resident of Amakusa, will also attend. No, the internet will not subject her to Rule 34.
Sources: ANN, Vatican News YouTube Channel, CatholicTV on X, Simone Legno on Instagram, CNA
Featured Image Credit: @lucymilker64318
Thank you for reading this post about a yuru, kawaii pilgrim girl. Did you enjoy the reactions from weebs, otaku, and hentai fans about her? Can she lead you on a journey of faith? Or do you feel an extra inspiration to visit Osaka next year? Let us know in the comments below!
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