A mascot character created to advertise the Kyoto Subway has become quite popular during her run.

The character in question is Moe Uzumasa. Created as part of the subway's "Go Ride the Subway" campaign that began two years ago, Moe was originally supposed to act as the face of the commute system for one year in a series of commercials, though her growing popularity has kept her going to this day.

From left to right: Misa Ono, Saki Matsuga and Moe Uzumasa

Her popularity has even spawned novel earlier this month known as Kyoto Girls Days which place Moe and two new girls as the protagonists, each representing a different railway. Moe, a high school girl that uses the Kyoto Subway to get to school, lives her daily life alongside her childhood friend Saki Matsuga, who lives near Matsugasaki Station. Also within the story is Misa Ono, a music and plant loving glasses-clad girl who lives close to Ono Station.

The characters were designed by people within Japan's Department of Transportation. These characters' popularity have earned them appearances on special season tickets for the subways. Moe's own fanbase has even caused a rallying of voices from Kyoto University and Kyoto International Manga Museum for more characters to be created in the future.

[Via Livedoor News]