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 […]

Magazine: Steady June 2020

In which I receive, no joke, my favorite furoku of all time. Lest you think I spend my money only on candy, toys, and magazines oriented toward children, I’ll have you know I also spend appalling amounts of money on clothing and makeup. I figure I may as well make sure to leave the most […]

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 […]

The Get List: Tokyo Catch: Sumikko Gurashi Fluffy Plush XL Premium

In which I wax philosophic on trust, customer service, and bonus/chance items before snuggling the hell out of this awesome plush. One thing I’ve loved when dealing with Japanese shops and sellers is a feeling of “getting a little treat.” The very first things I bought from Japanese shops were Sanrio toys, and I remember […]

Sumikko Gurashi: Plushies from Jellybeet (+ Mini Table)

In which I get some great items and have a really positive shopping experience, and hey! That’s pretty awesome. I’ll never get over how much less of a niche hobby Japanese culture/goods have become in the USA over time. From my teenager niece-in-law recognizing a gachapon machine to the aisles of manga — even BL, […]