3,500 FamilyMart convenience stores in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture welcomed a new dessert on Tuesday (February 9) conceived by the store staff themselves: the “Apricot Kernal & Mango Soufflé Pudding.” The delicious delight make its way to Japan’s Kanto region as well as Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures on February 16 for a total of around 5,900 branches.

FamilyMart staff working in these regions all came together to pitch their ideas for a new dessert which included presentations and taste testing votes carried out by representative staff. This included everything from the dessert itself and its flavour to the price and packaging. The result was the adorable treat you see below.

Apricot Kernal & Mango Soufflé Pudding | ¥298 (Tax Included)

The Soufflé Pudding was actually first released at FamilyMart in November 2018 and is the convivence store’s number one most popular dessert for its combination of two desserts which bring together the fluffiness of soufflé and the melt-in-the-mouth texture of Japanese-style pudding. Their new iteration of the dessert features a milk pudding and a milk soufflé, the latter being made with whole apricot kernels. It’s finished with a cute panda branding. All of this sits on top of a mango pudding foundation, and on top of that mango whipped cream.

Comment from a staff member involved with pitching ideas

Store Staff at Musashi-Shinjō Station’s South Exit (Kawasaki, Kanagawa)

“Eating in Chinatown is something I’ve done occasionally since being a kid. It’s a place I’m very much familiar with, and that’s precisely why I wanted to come up with something to overcome the trouble that the pandemic has brought, so I pitched the idea of combining our popular Soufflé Pudding together with two things that are a staple in Chinese cooking: apricot kernels and mango pudding. We were conscious of making the panda branding cute so kids and girls would see it and think, ‘This looks good!’ I have confidence in this dessert and recommend it, even to those who don’t really eat pudding but like annin tofu. I hope lots and lots of people get to try it!”

Comment from a staff member involved in the product’s development

Arai, Kawasaki Chueigyosho in the Kanagawa Region (Kawasaki, Kanagawa)

“All the store staff working within Kanagawa Prefecture were free to submit their ideas when we were developing the product. Everyone working at the participating stores as well as staff members at the company all voted on 195 ideas, and one of them in particular shone from all the rest, so we went with that one. Coming up with how we were going to create the result as well as the price were first and foremost. We paid much attention to the entirety of the product including its taste, packaging design, how it should be presented on shelves, and so on. We are proud of what we have made, we’ve put our all into it so that the customer enjoys it from the moment they pick it up to eating and savouring the last bite. Please be sure to try it for yourself!”

The dessert is a collaborative effort between store staff and a twist on FamilyMart’s number one most popular dessert. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, be sure to head to your closest FamilyMart convenience store, now available in Tokyo and Kanagawa branches and subsequently across the Kanto region on February 16.

Japanese cosmetics brand Para Do launched a campaign via Twitter on Thursday (January 21) for people to win a limited-edition glittery cherry blossom edition of their Sakura Veil Lip lipstick.

Shiawase Sakura Set

Para Do’s Sakura Veil Lip is known for staying on the wearer’s lips even when they wear a face mask. 150 Twitter users in Japan have a chance to win a special limited-edition variant of the popular product along with a cherry blossom face mask as part of the set. The masks are available in 4 designs.

Para Do Sakura Veil Lip PK04 Shiawase Kirameku Cherry Blossom Colour | ¥770 (Tax Included)

The lipstick arrives in a glittery pink. It’s mixed with a whole range of beauty liquids and contains only a little colour to ensure lips are kept moist. It also makes sure lips don’t dry out while wearing a mask, and there is no colour transference from the lips onto the mask, making it perfect for the winter and spring seasons.

Shiawase Kirameku Lipstick Campaign
Running: January 21, 2021 – February 21, 2021

Prize: Shiawase Sakura Set (Contains the Para DO Sakura Veil Lip PK04 Shiawase Kirameku Cherry Blossom Colour and Sakura Face Mask)
Winners: 150
How to Participate:
1.Follow @ParaDo_ on Twitter
2. Write your wish related to one of the themes #幸の縁 (happiness) #運の縁 (fortune) #結の縁 (relationships) #美の縁 (beauty) in Japanese along with the hashtag #桜お守りリップ. Full details can be found on the official website.

Sakura Prayers

Ninna-ji Temple is a World Heritage Site in Kyoto famous for its cherry blossoms. A special event is being held there for the lipstick to pray for happiness happiness.

Shiawase Sakura – Prayers for luck

The base of the lipsticks are printed with one of four different prayers: one of happiness, one for luck, one for relationships, and one for beauty. The designs are random so you can look forward to seeing which you get.

Bandai’s character-inspired Japanese confectionery series Tabemas has revealed that its next batch of sweet treats will be inspired by the Little Green Men and Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear from the popular Pixar movie franchise Toy Story. The confections will hit 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan on November 21, 2020.

Tabemas Toy Story | ¥258 Each (Before Tax)

The lovable Little Green Men and Toy Story 3‘s main antagonist Lots-o have been fully recreated, down to the finest details, into delicious confections. The details are well crafted you can almost hear the aliens chanting “OOOOOH” in unison! The sweets are also made with a dough called “nerikiri” which is used in making traditional Japanese wagashi sweets.

The Little Green Men are matcha flavoured while Lots-o is strawberry flavoured. Both contain Japanese bean paste, and neither use artificial colourings. Their colours comes from the original ingredients. Each sweet is also only 100kcal making is a perfect quick treat.

‘Tabemas’ is an abbreviation of the Japanese words taberareru masukotto, meaning ‘mascots that you can eat.’ It is a Japanese confectionery series that combines well-known characters and Japanese sweets made from ingredients like red bean paste, sugar and rice flour.

©Disney/Pixar

Bandai Candy’s character-inspired Japanese confectionery series Tabemas collaborating with the popular TV anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba to release two confections themed on the show’s main characters Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado as well as a collection of tarts. The sweet treats will hit the chilled desserts corner of Lawson convenience stores in Japan on October 20, 2020.

Tabemas x Demon Slayer

Tabemas x Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Tanjiro Kamado/Nezuko Kamado) – ¥264 Each (Before Tax)

The tarts feature all the little details of the beloved characters, from the scar on Tanjiro’s forehead and his earrings to the bamboo pipe in his sister Nezuko’s mouth and her hair adornment. It also captures the designs of their clothes. Both are filled with Japanese red bean paste with Tanjiro being chocolate flavoured and Nezuko strawberry flavoured.

Demon Slayer Tarts

Demon Slayer Tarts | ¥231 (Before Tax)

An assortment of biscuit base tarts laced with caramel mousse. The tart designs feature a range of popular characters from the anime series including the Kamado siblings, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Shinobu, and Tomioka.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a manga series by Koyoharu Gotouge serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump. The popular series has over 100 million copies in circulation and spawned a hit anime series last year. The upcoming anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, which is being animated by ufotable, is set for release tomorrow on October 16, 2020 will serve as a direct sequel to the 2019 anime series.

©Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable

Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart released cream cheese-filled obanyaki branded with Moomin characters on August 4 in celebration of “Moomin’s Day” which falls on August 9.

Moomin Mochitto Cheese | ¥138 (Tax Included)

The Moomins are the main characters of Tove Jansson’s series of books and comic strips. August 9 is the birthday of the author, and so this date has become known as “Moomin’s Day” amongst fans of the series.

Obanyaki are a type of imagawayaki which are like waffles and are filled with various ingredients, the most popular being red bean paste which can often be found at festivals in Japan. These chewy Moomin obanyaku however are filled with cream cheese and are stamped with the familiar faces of Moominvalley including the titular characters, Snufkin, Little My, and the Hattifatteners.

What better way to celebrate Moomin’s Day than with a delicious treat? If you’re in Japan this summer, head to your closest FamilyMart.

©Moomin Characters™

Bandai Candy’s character-inspired Japanese confectionery series Tabemas released a new batch of Minion-themed Japanese wagashi confections at Lawson convenience stores in Japan (excluding Lawson Store 100 branches) on August 4, 2020.

‘Tabemas’ is an abbreviation of the Japanese words taberareru masukotto, meaning ‘mascots that you can eat.’ It is a Japanese confectionery series that combines well-known characters and Japanese sweets made from ingredients like red bean paste, sugar and rice flour.

Tabemas Minions | ¥264 (Before Tax)

The line-up includes familiar faces from the Despicable Me and Minions films, namely the childish Bob, Stuart—who loves a prank—and Kevin who has a leader presence about him. The confections feature all the little details for each character, from the goggles and hair to the colouring.

Each character has its own delicious bean paste flavouring too: Bob is banana flavoured (his favourote), Stuart is strawberry, and Kevin is chocolate. Which do you want to try the most?

© Universal City Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Character-inspired Japanese confectionery series Tabemas has revealed that its next batch of sweet treats are Dragon Ball Super inspired. The sweets were released at FamilyMart convenience stores in Japan on July 28, 2020.

‘Tabemas’ is an abbreviation of the Japanese words taberareru masukotto, meaning ‘mascots that you can eat.’ It is a Japanese confectionery series that combines well-known characters and Japanese sweets made from ingredients like red bean paste, sugar and rice flour. The sweets are also made with a dough called “nerikiri” which is used in making traditional Japanese wagashi sweets.

Tabemas Dragon Ball Super: ¥369 Before Tax | 1 set of 2

The confection designs include the iconic Dragon Balls from the series up to Seven-Stars, as well as Shenron.

Shenron is matcha-flavoured. Using nerikiri dough, Tabemas has brought the dragon god to life with his iconic red gaze, whiskers, and tail. Each of the seven Dragon Balls are filled with custard cream. One set of these confections comes with both Shenreon and one of the Dragon Balls, so fans can enjoy both flavours.

As well as all of the seven Dragon Balls, there are two secrets ones too. What exactly they are requires a trip to FamilyMart.

©Bird Studio/Shueisha・Fuji TV・Toei Animation

CASIO G-SHOCK has announced a collaboration with the popular anime series One Piece and Dragon Ball Z, with watch designs for each show releasing in July and August respectively.

GA-110JOP: ¥26,400 (Tax Included)

The GA-110JOP One Piece watch uses the popular GA-110 model G-SHOCK which has a distinct big case. It’s covered in a black base colour and features an illustration of Luffy strong and grown up. At 9-o’clock is a motif of Luffy’s straw hat, while at 3-o’clock is the word “WANTED.” Additionally, when the hour and minute hands both strike 2-o’clock and 4-o’clock, they combine with slanted golden lines to create the “X” shape that Luffy has on his chest.

The back cover features the “G-SHOCK x One Piece” logo.

GA-110JDB: ¥26,400 (Tax Included)

Like the One Piece watch, the Dragon Ball Z one also uses the GA-110 model and is coloured in that iconic DBZ orange. The design is inspired by Goku going through training to become stronger. The lettering and logo is gold for accent. At 9-o’clock is the Four-Star Dragon Ball while at 3-o’clock is the letter “Z.”

On the back cover of this one it features the Dragon Ball Z logo.

Both watch designs will for sure be appreciated by fans for their detailed designs and references.

A BATHING APE® is teaming up with Dragon Ball Z to release a special collaborative collection of attire and accessories on June 27, 2020 at all BAPE STORE® branches in Japan, BAPE.COM, and ZOZOTOWN.

BAPE® last collaborated with Dragon Ball for the release of the hit anime film Dragon Ball Super: Broly. The design for the the new collaboration takes inspiration from the company’s mascot character BABY MILO®.

The collection includes a T-shirt, hoodie, denim jacket, and other must-grab items.

The Deluxe Edition of Spike Chunsoft’s fighting game Jump Force published by Bandai Namco Entertainment is set to hit Nintendo Switch on August 27, 2020.

Jump Force is a fighting game that brings together a roster of over 50 characters from popular series the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump such as One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, and many more. The game pits the characters in real world locations like New York and Matterhorn and has players battle it out.

The new trailer showcases some of the unique gameplay features which Nintendo Switch players will be able to enjoy, such as being able to play six-player local multiplayer games. The Nintendo Switch edition is packaged with the full game plus Character Pass 1 which introduces nine new characters into the long roster.

Those who pre-order the physical edition of the game will receive three One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto avatar costumes and Frieza’s pod as pictured below.

©JUMP 50th Anniversary
©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. ©2017 Nintendo

A new Super Mario Bros. merch line-up is up for grabs in the form of a lottery set to take place at 7-Eleven and Ito-Yokado stores, as well as Nintendo TOKYO, in Japan from June 27, 2020.

There are 7 different items in the collection and 19 designs in total that they come in, from a talking Mario plush to a giant Bowser bath towel, Boo hand soap dispenser set, and more.

A-Tier Prize: It’s a-me, Mario! Talking Plush (30cm)

This cute talking Mario plush speaks five of the princess-saving plumber’s classic lines when you press his belly.

B-Tier Prize: Fanfare Melody Alarm Clock (20cm)

The alarm clock face features a historical look at the many designs of the Super Mario Bros. games. The alarm sounds that play are those of when you clear a level in each of the games, so you can try and guess which game each sound is from when you hear it.

C-Tier Prize: Big Bowser Towel (200cm)

This 2-meter long towel features Mario’s eternal enemy, Bowser—known simply as Koopa in Japan. Its convenient size means it can function as a bath towel or a blanket.

D-Tier Prize: Glow-in-the-Dark Boo Soap Dispenser Set (15cm)

Boo loves to hide in the dark and surprise the player then they least expect it. These handy soap dispensers glow in the dark, and are perfect for storing your shampoo, conditioner, or soap. You get both in the set!

E-Tier Prize: Clear Pouches (3 Designs) (12cm-18cm)

These three cute pouches vary in size and can be used for storing all your little things.

F-Prize: Brick Block Mamezara Plates (4 Designs) (8.5cm)

When you stack all four of these plates on top of each other the outer part makes it look like the iconic Brick Blocks from the video games. They are a great addition to any tabletop meal.

G-Prize: Packaged Towel Collection (8 Designs) (25cm)

The packaging designs of these mini towels are based on their respective video game cases. The packaging itself zips up so you can store whichever of the 8 towels you choose from away safely.

Last One Prize: Invincible Super Star Handy Fan (20cm)

This Super Star fan is holdable and can also be placed down thanks to the Question Block. This special “Last One” prize will be given out as the very last prize to people who draw the final lot.

Which of these items do you want the most?

©Nintendo

Lawson Store 100 has teamed up with the internationally popular TV anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba to release a purin (a type of Japanese custard pudding) based on the popular character Zenitsu Agatsuma. The pudding hit Lawson Store 100 branches nationwide across Japan on June 3, 2020.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu you Yaiba is a manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotōge which follows Tanjiro Kamado who becomes a demon slayer after his family is killed and his younger sister Nezuko turns into a demon. It was serialised in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2016 and recently concluded with its 20th volume on May 18, 2020. It has shipped 60 million copies. The upcoming anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train will continue the story of the anime series’s first season when it drops on October 16, 2020.
The pudding’s yellow colour is inspired by Zenitsu’s fiery yellow hair. Zenitsu himself likes sweet foods too, making this the perfect collaboration. It’s a simple and classic Japanese purin made with eggs and milk.

The pudding also comes with a free seal featuring an illustration of Zenitsu when he uses his Thunder Breathing technique.

This is a limited edition product and so is available while supplies last.  Lawson Store 100 is also holding a campaign for fans to win original and exclusive Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba merchandise too including a tapestry, acrylic phone stand, and more.

©Koyoharu Gotouge / Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable