I wonder if Wikipe-tan is more of a generational issue than a gender one. I'm pretty much as humorless feminist as they come, but being in my early 20s, I grew up with anime and Wikipe-tan is no more disturbing to me in the Wikipedia context than if we had come up with a Disney-style mascot not wearing pants. (Granted, that OS-tans are pretty universally female is undoubtedly a gender issue and the anime style is a legitimate concern as well, but I think it's part of culture at large, not one that Wikimedia can really address.)

I guess my point is that it might be a wash whether Wikipe-tan drives off more older editors who find her offensive than she attracts younger editors who find her friendly and familiar. It's really a side point though. It never occurred to me that Wikipe-tan might be considered embarrassing or inappropriate and I'm finding this conversation eye-opening.

Nepenthe