This event is the latest in a tradition of mini-New Year's events themed on the coming year's animal in the Chinese Zodiac. 2006's New Year's event featured Fenrir, as 2006 was the Year of the Dog. 2005, being the Year of the Rooster, had a New Year's Day pre-event featuring a Bird-type NPC called a Bird of Wonder (trailed by three Birds of Peace). 2004, being the Year of the Monkey, featured a "family" of Opo-Opos. 2007 is the Year of the Boar in the Chinese Zodiac, hence the appearance of Bugards.