The Get List: Tokyo Catch: Cinnamoroll Konekoneko Plush

In which I’m reminded just how snuggly this little pup can be, especially as a cat. My enthusiasm for Tokyo Catch has probably peaked (I may write more on why soon), but I still have a few prizes to go over! Today we’ll talk about the Cinnamoroll Konekoneko Big Plush. Cinnamon is one of my […]

Sumikko Gurashi: Age Age Agekko Lunch Plush Set

In which the lunch definitely isn’t free, but it’s a hell of a meal nonetheless. There’s something to say for all of the Sumikko and Minikko — there’s no favorite that surprises me. Love Neko’s sweet worried nature or Zassou’s positivity or Tokage’s love for his mom or Nisetsumuri’s shame over his identity the best? […]

Magazine: Hand Made Parfait Mook

In which I finally find a level of crafts appropriate for my experience and talent levels (that for Japanese elementary school kids). Here’s a fun mook (magazine/book) related to Chara Parfait magazine — Handmade Parfait is full of mostly character-based crafts I genuinely found interesting and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a bunch of great […]

Magazine: Otomodachi August 2020

In which I know it’s odd to say I’ve found two favorite furoku in a week, but look at this! I’ve got another kids’ magazine to discuss today — Otomodachi! Otomodachi means friends, and this 90ish-page educational elementary schooler magazine is full of friends like Sumikko Gurashi, Sanrio, and more. At a cover price of […]

Dagashi Sagashi: Japanese Penny Candy and Snacks: Intro + Umaibou x 5

In which I talk about a tasty topic and start a new series of posts. Did you ever see the old episode of The Simpsons where Bart is at some grumpy old woman’s house and all she has to entertain him with is a book full of cake pictures? He asks—does she have any real […]

Magazine: Oekaki Hime July 2020

In which we find a whole pile of Hime, and just when we can’t tell which one is which we get distracted by fun furoku. These Hime publications seem to have no end! There are so many of them, all titles ending with ひめ (hime means princess). There’s Jewel Hime, Kisekae Hime (kisekae can mean […]

The Get List: Tokyo Catch: Sumikko Gurashi Halloween Plush Mascot (4/4)

In which I’m delighted by plush quality, gender equality, and Halloween frivolity. Japanese can make it both easy and hard to guess someone’s gender in something like a manga setting. On the one hand, there are stereotypically feminine/masculine personal pronouns and ways of speaking (but these change and are complicated by things like being so […]

Book: Sumikko Gurashi Gakkou Daisuki

In which I do poorly on a quiz meant to prepare children for elementary school and then am abused by stamps. I thought today I’d write about something I picked up in my latest CD Japan order — this book, Sumikko Gurashi Gakkou Daisuki (Sumikko Gurashi We Love School). It’s made for kids entering school […]

Magazine: Pucchigumi July 2020

In which I’m inordinately delighted by a magazine for first through third graders. I’ve been watching a lot of videos from pretty much my favorite YouTuber right now, fromegg, who not only features the coolest Sumikko Gurashi collection ever but also opens a lot of Japanese magazines. It made me a bit nostalgic for the […]

The Get List: Tokyo Catch: Sumikko Gurashi 80s Sailor Stadium Jacket Plush (3/5)

In which, for once in my life, I seem to have more pictures than words — and I couldn’t be more pleased with these wins! It’s ironic that these were such relatively easy wins, because they are among the most darling plush I’ve seen in a while. They are perfect! Each one measures about 6 […]