Pride Month 2022: meet Mina!

We want to get to know a bit more about the Square Enix LGBTQ+ Pride mascot, where they came from, and what’s been going on with them this Pride.
By Square Enix

We want to keep Pride celebrations going!

In previous Pride spotlights, we’ve introduced you to a few of our LGBTQ+ colleagues, asked them about what this month means to them and gotten to know them a little bit better.

We realized that while we were introducing ourselves along with imagery of Mina, our Pride mascot, we don’t know too much about Mina themselves.

So we thought we’d talk to them to find out just who Mina is.

We were introduced to you a few years ago as Square Enix’s Pride Mascot. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself like your name, pronouns, how you got here?

Mina: Hey! Sure! My name’s Mina! I’m part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I’m non-binary and use they/them pronouns. I was created by Toshiyuki Itahana, he makes a lot of cool characters and basically introduced me as an ambassador of acceptance.


Awesome! Could you tell us a little about your personality?

I’m a free spirit baby! I want to spread love throughout the world.

There are WAY too many people who feel afraid to be free and open about how they express themselves, and I want to be a positive influence that lets them know they can be who they are and be PROUD of who they are. Love is love, and you need to love yourself!

Oh! Also, I like parties and eating fruit… both can be SO colorful! We need more of both, for sure.


You know, I wasn’t expecting that last part, but maybe you could talk about some of your other likes? Dislikes? Any hobbies?

Hmmm, to be honest, my list of likes is very long but I’ll share a few things and not spend forever talking about LGBTQ+ media… well, there’s this one show I’ve been really into where--- no, I gotta focus, I can focus!

I love getting to see people, really. Anything I can do with other people is something I can make a hobby. Jogging, seeing new places, meeting new people, listening to music, having a great time and not caring what anyone thinks about it. I guess you can understand why I like Pride Month so much.

As for dislikes… I try not to dwell on them. If you spend too much time thinking about what you dislike, it can become really taxing on your mental health. So, I guess what I dislike the most is… dislike in general. It’s fine to not be into something, but when you tear down everyone or anything you dislike, it really hurts people, and I don’t like that at all.


Mina illustration

Let’s switch gears to something more positive. On the topic of the LGBTQ+ community, how do you support the LGBTQ+ community?

My goal... My task... My PURPOSE is to be a reminder that our games and the Square Enix fan community is for EVERYONE. The LGBTQ+ community needs a lot of help, and sometimes that comes in educating on current events, showing where support is lacking, or pointing us in the right direction for Square Enix to be good LGBTQ+ allies.

When we want to include EVERYONE, sometimes it can take a little work!


Where do you live? Where did you come from?

I live wherever the wind (or my sneakers) takes me! Soooo… everywhere, I guess!

As for where I came from… is it too cheesy to say that I came from a manifestation of love for everyone throughout the world? Well, too bad, because that’s the answer… I mean, it’s in my name.

To be more specific, I was first drawn in Tokyo. Itahana-san’s hopes for the world to become a freer and more diverse place, combined with the love I felt from people all over, brought me to life! I was a drawing on paper but now I’m here in the real world!


So, if you go wherever the wind takes you… how fast can you run? …or maybe you’re a faster flyer?

Mina: Ooooh good question! I think I’m super-fast, but I haven’t really timed myself before, so I don’t know exactly. There are even clubs for people who jog, run, bike, and all that across Square Enix, although I always forget to log my runs!

I’ll get back to you on it.

I don’t fly fast at all, though, I like to enjoy the wind in my feathers. I’m more of a glider.

Pride Apparel

Well, I look forward to asking you again if you remember! Is there anything else you wanted to say before we’re done? Anything to plug?

I do want to remind everyone that the Pride apparel at our online store, featuring ME, is still on sale for a limited time! All profits go to good causes like GLAAD and Stonewall to help support the work they do for LGBTQ+ people around the world! Please don’t miss up the chance to get my cute face while supporting those good causes.

Pride Month giveaway

We also have a Pride Month Giveaway going on that includes some great LGBTQ+ and Pride themed prizes, along with the chance to get a personalized sketch from my creator, Toshiyuki Itahana! Time’s running out so be sure to sign up now!

We want to make sure LGBTQ+ Pride isn’t something that comes up one month every year and then forgotten about until next year. The Square Enix Pride Group is going to be working together to have more activations outside of June, and we hope our LGBTQ+ fans and allies stay tuned and join us when we have more to share.

Until then, please stay safe and healthy out there, and love who you are! You’re the only one of you we’ve got.


Thank you to Mina for chatting with us, and to all of you for the support you give the LGBTQ+ community not only during Pride month, but all year, every year.

If you want to take part in our Pride activities, be sure to follow Square Enix on social media:

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