Some anime series have complex plotlines, but when it comes to successful character-based franchises, it doesn’t matter so much what the animated cast is doing as long as fans get to enjoy their cute or attractive designs. Really, they could be doing just about anything: hanging out in their school club meeting room after class, eating strawberry parfaits, or even vomiting strips of paper, like at this theater in Korea.
After storming through Japanese theaters, the Love Live! movie, the first theatrical installment of the otaku darling and bane of Japanese educators, has made its way to Korea. But as popular as the high school idol singer franchise may be among anime aficionados, it doesn’t necessarily have the same order of mainstream popularity as Disney animation or live-action films. So to help Love Livers (as the series’ fans are known) feel welcome, one theater in Korea decided to put up a special Love Live! decoration featuring Maki Nishikino, one of the most popular characters.
Although she’s the daughter of a wealthy doctor, as a proper anime heroine Maki also has an air of approachability about her, flashes of which are shown in some of her exaggeratedly silly reaction shots.
But rather than simply turn this image of Maki into an ordinary poster and hang it on the wall, the theater instead decided to attach it to its ticket vending machine, strategically positioning the mouth like this.
Sure, it’s probably a bit startling for passersby, but for fans, what could be better than having their ticket mouth-delivered by a member of their favorite anime idol unit? If nothing else, it gives them a legitimate Maki Nishikino encounter to brag about.
Source: Yuruku Yaru
Insert image: Fanpop


American English teacher in Japan takes a moment to remind student that anime is not real
Toyota’s official anime itasha car finds a home
Anime idols going abroad as Love Live! movie announced for release in U.S., 12 other territories
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
AKB48, Love Live! idol supergroups to perform live in Los Angeles this summer
Give yourself the feet of an anime idol with these Love Live shoes
Forget cat cafes, there’s a cafe in South Korea where you can hang out with sheep!
How much is otaku blood worth? Enough to get a free anime clear file if you donate it in Japan
Love Live! fan gets kicked out of event for wearing mountain of anime merchandise
Anime shoppers in Japan find amazingly lifelike anime girl browsing right next to them 【Photos】
The new Love Live! anime isn’t about virtual YouTubers…probably【Video】
Now you can rent an anime itasha in Japan for the authentic otaku driving experience