JR East has revealed three candidates for the new character that will replace the long-running Suica Penguin as the mascot of its Suica IC card.

The three designs are based on a squirrel, a rabbit, and a mysterious animal carrying a mole in a pouch. They were selected from concepts submitted by young creators and others.

The new character will be chosen through an online public vote, which began on September 8. The winning design will be officially announced on November 18, marking Suica's 25th anniversary, with its name to be selected separately through a public submission process.

The current Suica Penguin will retire on March 31, 2027, after serving as the face of Suica for more than 25 years. JR East has also announced that Suica cards featuring the penguin will be discontinued once existing supplies run out.