The first-ever mascot of Hiroshima University (HU) was created in 2020 to strengthen the sense of unity among members of the HU community and enhance the university’s ability to communicate its charms and information.

The basic design, known as the Phoenix Mark, is inspired by Hiroshima University’s symbol—the phoenix. The phoenix is a sacred bird from Egyptian mythology that after living for 500 years, sets itself on fire and rises renewed from the ashes. This immortal creature symbolizes Hiroshima University’s own rebirth from the ruins of Hiroshima after the atomic bombing. The design also incorporates the leaf of the Phoenix palm, whose leaves are depicted in the university emblem.

The design expresses the image of the phoenix’s leaves growing strong after overcoming many hardships and spreading upward into the sky like a phoenix taking flight, an image that reflects HU students.

To make the Phoenix Mark more familiar and endearing, the phoenix was turned into a mascot character named “Heroty.”

These works of art have been designed by Mr. Hirofumi Kamigaki, a renowned illustrator from Hiroshima. From the concept requested by the university, Mr. Kamigaki designed and offered three ideas. From these ideas, a single design was chosen by the students and faculty through online voting. In addition, the name of the mascot, "Hiroty" was chosen through a campus-wide naming contest, taking the "Hiro" from Hiroshima and adding it to the "ty" from "University."

As of July 29, 2025, the English spelling of "Hiroty" has been changed to "Heroty." The new name blends "Hiro" (from Hiroshima), "Hero" (symbolizing a "protector of peace"), and "ty" from "University," forming "Heroty," as the new official spelling.

In addition, the phrase "Protector of Peace" has been added to both "Heroty" and the Phoenix Mark to emphasize their shared role as symbols of peace. The Phoenix Mark has also been given a new alias, "Ignis Bird," which further reinforces its association with peace.

Through these updates, HU seeks to share with the world its identity as a guardian of peace.

An application for permission is required to use the phoenix mark and the mascot character. However, this excludes HU's administration and faculty using it to carry out their duties.

• Click on the link for information about terms of use and detailed rules. (Link in Japanese)

Click on the link to purchase merchandise items related to the mascot, "ひろティー" (Heroty).