Pop Singer Natsume Mito Appears in Baby Star CM with New Mascot

babystarpanmenBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Baby Star Ramen’s mascot, Bei-chan, is to be retired by the Oyatsu Company Ltd. and new mascot, Hoshio-kun will be gracing the packages of Japan’s popular snack food which has sold nationwide since 1959. Announced at a press conference, Hoshio-kun’s first commercial (CM) appearance will be with fashion model and pop singer Natsume Mito advertising Baby Star’s newest snack food, Baby Star Panmen. The commercial will be broadcast nationwide in Japan from February 6th.

Continue reading “Pop Singer Natsume Mito Appears in Baby Star CM with New Mascot”

2nd Wave of Artists Announced for Japan’s Cultural “Moshi Moshi Nippon Fest 2016!”

chururi-chururira-dempagumi-incBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Cultural festival Moshi Moshi Nippon will be making its return to the Tokyo Taiikukan in Sendagayan this November 24-27. This festival will be 4 days filled with live performances, traditional culture, arts demonstrations, fashion shows, and food. Now in it’s third year, Moshi Moshi Nippon Fest 2014 saw 15,000 in attendance followed by a record of 25,000 in 2015. In 2016 the Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival has been promised to be bigger than ever. And as a special treat this year for non-Japanese citizens, those who pre-register will be given free entry.

Non-Japanese citizens can register at the following link: http://msmsnippon16-1.peatix.com/
Continue reading “2nd Wave of Artists Announced for Japan’s Cultural “Moshi Moshi Nippon Fest 2016!””

Rumiko Takahashi Manga Creations to Adorn Cup Noodles

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Rumiko1When it came to promoting store-bought noodles to the Japanese public, using characters created by affluent manga artist Rumiko Takahasi (creator of Maison Ikkoku, InuYasha, and Rin-ne) is a no brainer. In fact we here at Otaku no Culture think the meeting at Aceccok to agree to such an idea would’ve taken about as much time as cooking one of their instant noodles.

In December Aceccook of Japan will release a pair of cup noodles featuring character artwork from Takahashi’s manga. The products are marketed with the 30-40 year-olds in mind but this may introduce earlier Takahashi characters to a whole new generation.

Continue reading “Rumiko Takahashi Manga Creations to Adorn Cup Noodles”

%d bloggers like this: