
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 has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa