Vladivostok guide warns tourists about pushy animators
Residents and tourists have repeatedly complained about the animators
A certified guide from Vladivostok named Tatyana has recorded a video warning residents and guests of the city about pushy animators who force their services on people.
«You have surely seen these cute animators in costumes on the streets. They come up, joke, hug, ask you to strike a funny pose and offer to take a photo. While you are posing, they win your trust more and more, and then — that«s it. They start demanding money,» the woman said.
She admitted that she herself once fell for the animators« tricks and even shared the photos that were taken, urging others to learn from her mistakes.
«Don«t talk to them and don»t take photos with them, and also warn your family and friends,» Tatyana advised.
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The problem of pushy animators has been reported especially often since late 2024. People in mascot costumes and with badges demanded payment from naive city residents after a few photos. The city administration has repeatedly said that the culture department has no paid animators and that if someone demands money from you, you should turn to security.
Later, many Vladivostok residents became more careful about offers to have their picture taken, and the animators then switched to foreigners. For example, in April 2025 we published a video in which a person in a costume literally chased a foreigner who clearly did not understand what was wanted of him.
At some point, even Chinese tourists and bloggers began complaining about the annoying animators. One of the girls who fell for their tricks said she paid 100 yuan (about 1,100 rubles; roughly $14 at current rates) for photos she did not even like.
