We’ve already elaborated on how much food-themed characters freak us out, but until now we thought we were pretty much fine with food based on characters. When we saw this photo of a Rilakkuma birthday cake being served at a Japanese restaurant, we found ourselves suddenly overwhelmed with melancholy, plus a touch of revulsion.
His name may be a mix of “relax” and “bear” (“kuma“), but we can’t help detecting a hint of sadness in Rilakkuma’s eyes here. Look at him; he just sits there on the plate, as though he just moments ago accepted his fate of being dismembered bit by bit with a fork and knife. Perhaps he is looking back fondly at his past life of chilling out in a girl’s room, eating pudding and looking at flowers, hoping that we’ll just finish it quick with a single, final stab to his cute button chest.
It’s enough to make us weep. Oh, sure, we’ll eat it. But we’ll be weeping.
▼ Goodnight, sweet Prince.
Source: Nikiita Sokuhou
Inset Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Are your “healthy” new year’s resolutions harder than you thought? Try some Rilakkuma tofu!
The Cakes at Seoul’s Hello Kitty Cafe Are So Cute, You’ll Feel Bad Mutilating the Face of the World’s Most Beloved Cat
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Six ice creams you should try at Baskin-Robbins Japan, according to staff who work there
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says