so they can learn their characters' backstories by heart and consistently respond in character to visitors. At theme parks, particularly at busier ones, popular costumed performers are usually accompanied by one or more assistants (also called "handlers" or "spotters") in regular park uniforms, who handle customer service, security, and crowd control. This minimizes the necessity for performers to break character to deal with those kinds of issues. When a performer needs a break, they simply give a prearranged signal, and their handler may then assure patrons the character will be back momentarily, before guiding them back to a lounge or rest area for them to recuperate. All theme park operators that present costumed performers enforce strict character performance regulations so that performers are never seen out of character by visitors. In the case of more elaborate costumes, they are never seen "with their head off". A related rule is that performers costumed as the same character (often so that the character in question is never absent for too long) are supposed to avoid being seen side by side by the public. In Japan The Japanese name for costumed performers is . The name comes from the Japanese verb and noun . Japan's kawaii aesthetic means that mascots are commonly used for promotional purposes. These mascots are often constructed with an appearance that is more chibi than Western mascots, with a massive head that encompasses the performer's entire upper body and the arms low on the body. Other mascots more greatly resemble anime characters. Animegao Animegao is a type of kigurumi used to portray anime or cartoon characters. The face of the performer is fully covered with a stylized mask, and clothing similar to the character's typical attire is used. Animegao costumes are used both in professional stage shows and by cosplayers, sometimes called "dollers", who make custom masks of various characters. It is still a very minor part of the cosplay scene in Japan, though throughout the mid 2000s, it began attracting attention in other countries, including the United States, Canada, and various European states. On television Current shows featuring a costumed performer puppet include Big Bird of Sesame Street, Barney from Barney & Friends, and Bear of Bear in the Big Blue House. Less complicated costumed characters include Hip Hop Harry, Yo Gabba Gabba!, and Mack & Moxy. Older examples include New Zoo Revue, H.R. Pufnstuf, Banana Splits, and