Glico will switch off the Dotonbori landmark on December 1 for its first big renovation in 12 years, with a seventh-generation design to debut in spring 2027.
The Glico sign in Osaka's Dotonbori district on the afternoon of October 10. (©Sankei/Tomoki Ichimura)
The iconic Glico Running Man sign in Osaka's Dotonbori district will undergo a major renovation, with its seventh-generation design set to be unveiled in spring 2027.
Ezaki Glico, the confectionery giant behind the landmark, announced the renovation on October 13. First installed in March 1935, the sign is due for its first major renovation in approximately 12.5 years, following the introduction of the current, sixth-generation sign in October 2014.
The current sign will be switched off at midnight on December 1, when construction is scheduled to begin. During the renovation, the structure will be covered with a banner.
Although the design of the seventh-generation sign has already been finalized, Glico will keep it under wraps until the new sign is illuminated next spring. Its dimensions and iconic logo of a runner with both arms raised will remain unchanged.
However, the company plans to incorporate the latest LED technology to enhance the sign's visual capabilities and improve energy efficiency.
A New Chapter in Brand Communication
The renovation is part of a broader effort to strengthen Glico's brand communications and raise awareness of its business beyond the sign's role as a popular tourist attraction. Although the landmark is widely recognized, that recognition has not necessarily translated into greater awareness of the company's business activities or corporate messages.
Yoriko Miki, head of Glico's Corporate Branding Group, said the sign plays an important role in expanding the company's overseas business. She indicated that Glico intends to reconsider how it uses the landmark to communicate with audiences and share information.
The company also announced that it will rename its trademark running-man logo, currently known as the "Goal-In Mark," the "Glico Runner." It said the new name reflects Glico's belief that its corporate purpose has no end, emphasizing the idea of continually moving forward.
Through the redesigned sign and updated branding, the company aims to strengthen its communications and raise global awareness of the Glico brand.
A Sign Through the Generations
The Dotonbori Glico sign has undergone several transformations over the decades, reflecting changes in technology and design trends.
The second-generation sign was unveiled in 1955, during Japan's postwar reconstruction, and featured a stage where puppet shows and musical performances were held.
The third-generation sign, installed in 1963, attracted attention for its fountain effects, which sent 12 tons of water gushing into the air. With the fourth-generation sign, introduced in 1972, the design shifted to feature a running track from an athletics stadium in the background.
Unveiled in 1998, the fifth-generation sign incorporated images of Osaka landmarks, including Osaka Castle and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, into its background.
In October 2014, the sign entered its sixth generation, becoming the first version to use LEDs across its entire surface.
Now, more than a decade later, the upcoming seventh-generation sign will continue the evolution of a landmark that has become synonymous with Osaka's Dotonbori district.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Keiko Tamura, The Sankei Shimbun