CASCultural and Arts Studies3083-39573083-3949Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/CAS.v2i2.15407ArticleA Moe-Inspired Method for Translating Regional Culture into Scenic-Area Character IP Designhttps://artdesignp.com/journal/CAS/2/2/10.26689/CAS.v2i2.15407ZhaoBingran,WangPeiyi2026222026-04-30Objective: Scenic-area character IPs often rely on a conventional cute aesthetic while providing little evidence that their forms, personalities, and applications are grounded in the destinations they represent. Using the Changbai Mountain Friends project, this article examines a culturally constrained alternative. Moe-inspired translation is defined as the selective transformation of documented regional prototypes into approachable characters while preserving recognizable links among source, morphology, role, and conditions of use. Methods: Archived design materials were re-examined through four connected stages: semantic encoding, morphological compression, affective construction, and touchpoint review. The two authors reconstructed the resource-selection process using centrality, distinctiveness, visualizability, and scenario relevance. A retrospective audit examined source traceability, ensemble consistency, character differentiation, and cross-media continuity. Results: The Amur tiger, rime, the peaks surrounding Tianchi, and the sable were retained as the four principal prototypes. Forest vegetation, tourism activities, selected colors, and mask-like symmetry were used as supporting resources rather than as separate characters. The review also led to simplification for small-scale applications, clearer packaging zones, and an explicit distinction between documented cultural sources and subsequent design interpretation. Conclusion: The case demonstrates how a cute visual language can remain regionally specific when design decisions are tied to verifiable sources and reassessed at the point of application. The evidence concerns internal design coherence rather than visitor response or market performance.Scenic-area character IP, Moe culture, Regional culture, Cultural translation, Character design

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