On February 25, 2024, the annual statue of Professor Orita was unveiled at Kyoto University's Yoshida South Campus (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City), where the second round of the General Selection (General Entrance Examination) began. This year, the enemy character ''Pak'n Flower'' from Nintendo's popular game ''Super Mario Bros.'' has appeared.

Statue of Professor Orita transformed into a “Pak’n Flower” (February 25th, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto University)

The papier-mâché statue is named after the bust of Oritahikoichi, the first principal of the former Third High School, who fostered a ''school culture of freedom.'' It is placed on the same day every year to encourage test takers, but its creator remains shrouded in mystery.

Bust of Oritahiko City on display at the Kyoto Centennial Clock Tower Museum (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City)

Pac'n Flower is a plant-type character that suddenly appears from a clay pipe and disturbs Mario. Usually, the pedestal is gray, but this year it is green, the same color as the clay pipe. A sign next to him read, ''He was a man who made great efforts to protect Bowser's Castle and created an academic culture of cliff-shulingan at Kyoto University. Please do not stand directly next to him.'' 

The real bust of Professor Orita was removed from the outdoors in the 1990s due to a series of pranks, and is currently on display at Kyoto University's Centennial Clock Tower Memorial Hall.