San-x: Re-ment: Rilakkuma Leisurely Japanese Life

In which it’s like getting a brand-new Re-ment set for free, and a pretty nifty one at that.

I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but as I’ve been going through miniatures I’ve run across a couple of things I never even unboxed. Most of these seem to be released/bought right around the time I was ending a big relationship and moving into a new place, so I guess it makes sense I wouldn’t quite have been all there. Still, it feels decadent in a weird way just to buy and not even open, so let’s undo that with some fun unboxing this 2016(!) Re-ment set Rilakkuma Nonbiri Dararan Wa no Kurashi — Rilakkuma’s Relaxed, Lazy Japanese Style Life.

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One difference in packaging I liked a lot between this and newer collections is that the little “set” included in the outer packaging is a bit smaller than it is now, making it easier to get a smooth edge when you remove it. Scissors are just easier than tearing perforated cardboard, though I might be in the minority on that, since it did get changed.

Set One is called Nonbiri Ochadzuke (Relaxing Tea Porridge) and features a lovely tray, chopsticks, and a teapot in addition to the ochadzuke. Another difference I see between this set and those produced now is in the quality and especially the texture variety of plastic used. Texture is used to especially cute effect on the teapot.

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Set Two, Tegami wo Ippitsu (A Few Lines of a Letter), is definitely one of my favorites. The desk is just plain useful for figures, and the custom Rilakkuma pulls on the drawers and the fact that the big drawer opens — though of course I’d prefer they all did, of course) increase its appeal. I just love the lamp, too! And by the way, the letter the set name refers to is on the card; I didn’t see much of a reason to cut it out, so I gave the poor card a break. Anyway, this desk needs to be manned by a brooding intelligent ikemen, stat.

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Set Three is called Ocha de Ippuku, which I’ll translate as A Bit of Tea. Especially with so many lovely kimono-clad small figures out there, I can imagine a lot of uses for these traditional tea items. Given how many Japanese food miniatures I’ve bought, I feel a bit embarrassed to admit I only now figured out what a chasen was relatively recently. But there’s one here, even if I can’t get this particular miniature to stand up correctly.

You might also notice the pretty traditional dessert called youkan. If you happen to be a voice actor fan, Mamoru Miyano (Ryuuji in Persona 5, Reo in Sarazanmai, Dazai in Bungou Stray Dogs and about a million others) has a really funny clip here where he tries different types of youkan, a food he’s not very fond of.

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My ignorance causes me trouble again with Set Four, Wa no Okashi (Japanese Sweets). What are those items on the small plate? If you know, I’d love to find out. I assume they’re a type of higashi as are those in the drawers, but I’ve got to admit I don’t know. It’s a nice set, though. Maybe not the most exciting, but again it could assist in a lovely picture.

I love to make the occasional matsuri setup for doll and figure pics, so I appreciate the type of things included in Set Five, Wa no Omiyage, Japanese Style Souvenirs. As evident throughout this collection, there’s a lot of specifically Rilakkuma-themed stuff here too, and I like it all so much it’s hard to pick a favorite. Maybe the kokeshi? I can see the coin purse with its cute design being held by a Nendoroid, too.

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Set Six is called Wa no Oiwai, which I initially wanted to translate as Japanese Style Gift, but I think instead I’ll go with the more general Japanese Style Celebration. I believe this is osechi ryouri, traditional New Year’s food. But since this is far from my area of expertise, I’ll just say I am a little disappointed that the Rilakkuma-themed food is all multiple pieces stuck together, yet I quite like the teapot and cups, so it seems I come out ahead regardless.

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Another favorite of mine is Set Seven, Mattari Shumi no Jikan, Time for Relaxing Hobbies. I thought it was cute enough that I actually cut up the card for the paper. There were three choices — this one, nonbiri, which I’m translating as leisurely; dararan, which is basically a very lazy sound; and then a blank one. It was rather hard to choose; all apply to my life quite well.

I also just can’t resist Kiiroitori in teaching mode or the cute Rilakkuma bonsai. My only question is: should the clip at the top of the board be attached to something, or are we just supposed to lay the clip over as if it were a clipboard?

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With that, we reach the last entry in quite a pleasing collection: Set Eight: Osaihou to Midashinami, or Sewing and Personal Grooming. Once more the large amount of branded items makes this a favorite. I extra love the little spools of thread shaped like Rilakkuma’s head.

It was awfully nice to find this collection, like a little present tucked away. I can use all the good news and surprises I can get right now, really. I actually found a second unopened set, which I’ll get to, ah — after the current huge pile of stuff I have set aside to write about!