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Accessorize your aquarium: New sparkly fish tank for kids comes with jewels and plenty of pink

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Mar 29, 2014
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“Add a lot of cute decorations to the room we’re staying in!” says the blue goldfish with a matching blue tiara. No this isn’t a joke; uncommonly cute anthropomorphic goldfish are just a part of the marketing campaign for a completely customizable fish tank aimed at young children in Japan. With a fancy backdrop and jewels galore, it’s a far ways away from the plastic aquatic plant or bubbling clam shell in typical aquariums.

Japan
(Aquarium • fish • jewels • toy)

Finally! Vibrating animal butt charms on sale!

Master Blaster
Dec 3, 2013

Hey, do you like animal butts? What am I saying, of course you do! Unfortunately, animals are wily and occasionally dangerous making it hard to get your hands on their rear ends.

That’s why (we guess) Tenyu has released Oppoppo, a collection of six animal butt simulation devices that are portable and can easily attach to your gym bag, key chain, or belt buckle!

Japan
(animal • butt • toy • weird)

Tamagotchi is back!!! My 8-year-old self rejoices!

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Nov 29, 2013

I remember the days of Tamagotchi (and the far less cool NanoPet) and how our teachers always struggled to keep us from feeding or picking up after our little digital creatures during class. The Japanese gadget was a hit with us 90s kids and will forever be one of the coolest toys of our childhood. And now, Bandai is back with a new version of Tamagotchi. But this new installment of the portable digital pet, called Tamagotchi Friends, has a new social media twist.

Global
(NanoPet • Tamagotchi • toy)

Videos of the first four Happy Meal Marios from McDonald’s Japan!

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Nov 26, 2013

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: McDonald’s Japan has the best Happy Meal toys. In case you haven’t heard, the fast food chain created Mario toys for their “Happy Set” kids meals and they’re awesome. Lucky for those abroad, Japanese fans of the franchise have already uploaded videos of their McDonald’s Happy Meal Marios (say that five times fast). Take a look at just a few!

Japan
(cool • Happy Meal • Mario • McDonald's Japan • toy)

This year’s Mario Christmas Happy Meal in Japan is the best!

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Nov 16, 2013

Kids nowadays have it rough. Sure, they have the Internet, sophisticated video games, and more electronics than fingers, but their McDonald’s Happy Meal toys are awful. I remember the days when you’d get a quality, hard-plastic toy that would withstand anything your imagination could throw at it. Now it’s half-heartedly put together pieces of garbage that are strewn alongside your mini pouch of fries (or apple slices if your mom isn’t cool). But in Japan, everything is different, especially this Christmas. Not only do you get a toy that blows all other modern day Happy Meal toys out of the water, your entire meal comes in a real cardboard golden arches box, just like old times. Read More

Japan
(cool • Happy Meal • Mario • McDonald's Japan • prize • toy)

“Oh, I remember those!” Getting nostaligic about old toys with Japanese netizens

Preston Phro
Nov 11, 2013

If you’re of a certain age, born anywhere between the early 80s and 90s, there’s a range of toys that just explode in your brain with raw nostalgia. We’re sure this is true for every generation, but those late 80s/early 90s toys just have something special about them. Whether is was their awkward use of new technology or absurd coloring schemes, we can’t deny just how cool they seemed when we were little kids!

What we were surprised to see, though, was just how many of those toys and games were also available in Japan! So come with us on a trip down memory lane and find if your favorite childhood distractions made the list, and discover just how many of these things kids in Japan were also completely enamoured with.

Internet, Japan
(toy • Toys and Games)

New undulating sea anemone toy from Japan will have you staring for hours

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Aug 17, 2013

From the makers of Goal!Goal!Goal! Bank and a wind-up shrimp toy comes a sea anemone for the home. Ieginchaku, a delightful play on words utilizing ie, the Japanese word for “house” and isoginchaku, the word for “sea anemone,” is a little toy/conversation piece that not only resembles those koosh balls you used to chuck at your sister, it moves on its own and comes with little plastic fish! Need a little more convincing before rushing out to buy this product? Take a look at the promotional video; the Ieginchaku really has to be seen in action to be fully appreciated.

Japan
(sea anemone • toy • weird)

Cuddle up with a giant squid plush toy and other inky goods from NHK

Michelle Lynn Dinh
Jun 30, 2013

In a joint effort between NHK and the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, an international team of scientists was assembled in a quest to be the first to photograph the elusive giant squid in its natural habitat. Their search was made into an NHK special documentary titled, “World’s first photographing! Deep sea giant squid” and was broadcasted in Japan this past January. After its airing, giant squids quickly became a popular topic of conversation among viewers.

In celebration of the documentary’s success, NHK has created a line of giant squid goods. From smartphone cases to squid ink cookies to pencil pouches in the shape of giant squid, there are almost too many tentacles for sale.

Japan
(giant squid • NHK • toy)

Nine-Patty Evangelion Cheeseburger has a 0.00001% Chance of Failing to Fill You Up (3D Photos)

Casey Baseel
Apr 28, 2013

The most recent theatrical installment of the long-running anime series Evangelion was released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 24. While it’s official English title is Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo, the film has a completely different Japanese title, Evangelion Theatrical Version: Q. Because if there’s one thing creators Studio Gynax hate, it’s giving a definitive answer on anything related to their mega-hit franchise.

But if there’re two things Gynax hates, the second is passing up a merchandising opportunity for Eva (as the fans call it), which is where the Evangelion Q cheese burger comes in with its nine patties.

Did we mention we bought two? Read More

Japan
(anime • Evangelion • food • hamburger • toy)

Multifunctional iPhone Powered Smart Stuffed Domo-kun to be Released

Master Blaster
Mar 30, 2013

Japan is to mascots what Broadway is to theatre or what France is to bicycle racing, and in Japan the Phantom of the Opera or [*name removed*] of mascots has got to be Domo-kun (simply “Domo” in other countries).

From his humble beginnings as a mascot for Japan’s national broadcaster he has achieved international notoriety and an ever expanding line of merchandise. Now, iPhone holding Domo fans may rejoice with the upcoming release of the cute and useful “iPhone Supported Smart Stuffed Toy: iDomo-kun.”

Japan
(Domo • iPhone • NHK • toy)

Go Fly a Kite?! Not Any More! With Homekite You Can Stay Right Where You Are

Master Blaster
Dec 15, 2012

Picture the typical family, if you will. One Sunday afternoon, Junior runs into the den and asks Pa to go kite-flying together. “Not today, Junior”, said Pa, “It’s just not windy enough.”

Junior walks back to his room and plays Grand Theft Auto, sullenly killing policemen with a sniper rifle. Even though he got 15 headshots in a row, his heart just wasn’t in it. Once again Mother Nature had ruined his true passion – kites.

This tragic scene plays out in homes across the kite-loving world. So the brain trust at Takara Tomy came up with Homekite, the first (I’m guessing) kite to be used in the home.

Japan
(Homekite • kite • Takara Tomy • toy)

Eat at Sukiya and Get a Free Kirby Toy! (For a Limited Time Only)

Philip Kendall
Dec 14, 2012

Like gyūdon beef bowls? Love Nintendo’s pink vacuum-mouthed mascot Kirby? Then you’d better head down to your nearest Sukiya restaurant quick and pick up one of these adorable little windup walking models!

Japan
(beef bowl • campaign • free • gyudon • Kirby • nintendo • Sukiya • toy)

Giant Robot Battle Fists Now On Sale in Japan! But With Great Robot Fists Comes Great Responsibility

Master Blaster
Dec 7, 2012

Finally you can put awesome power of giant battle robots in the palm of your hand— or around the palm of your hand—with GIANT ROBOT BATTLE FISTS. Now available in Japan! Sounds like the perfect Christmas gift to me!

Global, Internet, Japan
(Giant Robot Battle Fists • novelty • Think Geek • toy)

Thousands are Buying Up a Toy Fan That Pumps Out Some Serious Wind Power On The Cheap

Master Blaster
Jun 26, 2012

Since its release on April 28th people have been flocking to toy stores across Japan to get their hands on toymaker Takara Tomy’s Kuru Kuuuuru Eco-Fan (Round and Rooooouuund Eco-Fan), so much so that their original 60,000 units had to be upped to an additional shipment of 120,000 to meet the demand.

It seems since abandoning much of the nuclear power in Japan, people’s minds are set on alternative means of keeping cool while saving electric costs or during potential black outs. The reason everyone wants this particular toy fan is because of the sheer wind power it has. For every one turn of the hand, the fan blade spins 100 times.

Japan
(cute • fan • Takara Tomy • technology • toy)

Welcome to the Crappiest Toy Store in Thailand

Master Blaster
Apr 15, 2012

Disclaimer: This article contains some graphic depictions of doo-doo and is not for the faint of stomach.

One of the great things about visiting Thailand is that everything is so cheap. Especially if you want to buy souvenirs for a lot of people, it’s a very shopping friendly country. However, even with these low prices, travelers are still faced with the dilemma of what to get loved ones.

You don’t want to spend your whole vacation picking out the perfect gifts but you also don’t want to be like your aunt Grace who gave you a lame souvenir spoon from her trip to the Grand Canyon last year.

Luckily we stumbled upon a toy store in Thailand that lets you confront your fear of buying a crappy present by selling literal pieces of crap. Small coilers will run you about 50 baht (US$1.60) but a larger log will cost 150 baht ($4.80).