
With the goal of being the first in line to purchase an iPhone 6 Plus, Mr. Sato, our most outlandish reporter, parked himself in front of the Marunouchi Docomo store on September 15. After several nights living on the streets, finally the day had come! On the morning of September 19 at 8am, Mr. Sato, blue slime costume and all, purchased his coveted Apple gadget, but not before meeting famous actors and taking center stage in an interview. Here is his story.
Docomo, Japan’s predominant mobile phone operator, put together a ceremony to commemorate the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Just like last year, Docomo president and CEO Kaoru Katou, international movie star Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Inception), and actor Maki Horikita all showed up for the occasion, and just like last year, Mr. Sato was given the royal treatment for being the very first in line.
▼ Here he is counting down to the release of the iPhone 6…right next to Ken Watanabe!
▼ Ms. Horikita is looking exceptionally beautiful at the release ceremony…so is Mr. Sato.
As you may have already noticed, unlike last year, Mr. Sato wanted to come in costume and decided to dress as blue slime, his favorite character from the video game Dragon Quest.
▼ We’re not quite sure how all these high-profile people kept a straight face while standing next to our favorite blue-unitard-wearing reporter. Good on them!
▼ Although Docomo’s CEO does look a bit uneasy…
After the ceremony, Mr. Sato was directed to one of the Docomo counters to sign up for a fresh new contract in order to get his iPhone 6 Plus.
▼ Here he is waiting at the counter. Mr. Sato in his blue slime costume paints a surreal scene.
▼ Success! Another first-day iPhone for Mr. Sato!
And that was it! Mr. Sato, iPhone 6 Plus in hand, happily gathered his things and headed for the door. Upon exiting the building, he was bombarded by members of the press, asking him his impressions of the iPhone 6 and his motivation for waiting in line, among other things. These members of the media were granted an interview with Slime Mr. Sato before anyone from RocketNews24 was able to!
▼ Well played, folks.
And so ends Mr. Sato’s adventure in being the first to buy an iPhone 6 Plus. Check out all the action, including Mr. Sato’s first impressions of the iPhone 6 in the video below. Until next year!
Photos: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]








Our reporter Mr. Sato becomes first Japanese buyer of a Docomo iPhone5S!
“Don’t we have photos of Mr. Sato with a new iPhone?” “No, he spent two days at the wrong store.”
Mr. Sato does not buy an iPhone7, calls this year’s Docomo release ceremony “f***ing s**t!”
We road test the new Digital Image Stabilization on the iPhone 6 Plus – with a vibrator
Here’s an easy way to check if the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will fit in your pocket
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
“Family name researcher” discovers the most common full name in Japan
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Travel tip: Fukuoka has a great luggage delivery service that’s cheaper than a coin locker
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
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
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
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
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
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
Requiem for a smartphone buyer: Mr. Sato gets no iPhone X but has a new lease on life
The cops kick Mr. Sato off the street during his attempt to wait on sidewalk for the new iPhone
Can you unlock your new iPhone 6 Plus with your nipple? We can! 【Video】
The giant iPhone 6 Plus is most popular in Asia
Mr. Sato retires from being the first person in Japan to buy iPhones, watches this guy instead
Mr. Sato comes out of retirement to wait for the iPhone X three days in advance
Mr. Sato gives his first ever autograph, gets a broken heart in return
Mr. Sato returns to the line, waits three nights for an iPhone 11
iPhone 6 launch keeps Chinese customs officials busy as they seize hundreds of smuggled units
The last of the Mohican-hairstyle-wearing people still lining up for iPhones
Miniature photographer enlists 100 tiny friends to try to bend his new iPhone 6 Plus
People are getting into fights outside Apple stores because no one in China can buy an iPhone 6
We attend the official release ceremony for the new iPhone 11 in Japan
Small hands? Japanese Twitterer gets creative and makes handy case for the wider iPhone 6
The morning after: The trash-ridden aftermath of the iPhone 6 release in Hong Kong