At the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Summer Games, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emerged from a pipe, “Super Mario Bros.”-style, dressed as the iconic plumber himself to set a weird and delightful tone for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Following the recent conclusion of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the Tokyo effort’s keeping the hype machine going — this time, unveiling the games’ new mascots as chosen by the votes of over 200,000 Japanese elementary school classrooms.
Given Japan’s reputation for indulging weirdness for the sake of weirdness alone, many fans were holding out hope that the winning mascots would be something truly bizarre, but the final three sets of candidates appear no more or less strange than other mascots in recent games (though these do have distinctively Japanese characteristics).
The frontrunners were kept secret by the powers that be, even on the final day of voting.
Now the results are in, and we have a winner: The as-yet-unnamed pair dubbed “Candidate A” won handily with 109,041 votes to “Candidate B”’s 61,243.
While we might not know their names, we’ve got at least a little info on who these two are:
What role they play in the actual event will be dictated by a marketing team in the coming years, but so far, people seem to be pretty happy with the selection. Well, most people. Er, many people.
Oh, well. Maybe a couple of really awesome names will convert some of the critics.
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.