
We’ve seen Pikachu’s skeleton and Disney princesses as flirty pin-up girls but now it’s time to see all our favourite childhood characters take a walk on the wild side with this nightmarish trip down memory lane.
The picture collection by acclaimed artist Dan LuVisi is part of his new project called “Popped Culture”. The series of warped illustrations is set to be published as a book, following a successful Kickstarter campaign that’s already far exceeded its $15,000 goal with 15 days still remaining. His 883 backers are supporting the “strange and disturbing” take on beloved childhood icons in return for soft-copy and hard-copy editions, T-shirts and even private commissions tailored to individual specifications.
Let’s take a look at some of the characters who’ve been spat out by the harsh machine of fame and celebrity in the world of Popped Culture. Beware: some viewers may find the following images disturbing!
▼ Mickey and Minnie appear as “The Mouse King” and “The Mouse Queen”, both hungry for power and, by the looks of it, human flesh.
▼ “My Brother’s Keeper”. Bert and Ernie have stuck together through thick and thin, with nothing but a rubber duckie tattoo to remind them of the good times in their old apartment.
▼ Elmo as “The Puppet Hunter” shows where uncontrollable high-pitched bouts of laughter can lead you.
▼ And the future hasn’t fared much better for Monsters Inc. star Mike Wazowski either.
▼ Goofy, as “The Yellow King” looks like a sad clown in an asylum.
▼ Kermit, what have you done? Have you been half-asleep and have you heard voices? “The Driver” is a huge departure for the sweet Rainbow Connection-singing green amphibian.
▼ “What I do Best” leads us to wonder where Winnie the Pooh might be.
▼ Look away from the horror! Called “Chew”, this vacant-eyed, toothless incarnation of Pikachu is one Pokémon we definitely don’t want to catch.
▼ And another one of Bert and Ernie just because they’re awesome. Their riches-to-rags story is a movie we’d pay to see!
To find out more about the project, be sure to stop by the artist’s campaign page on Kickstarter. Just make sure you don’t have any little ones around to sneak a peek over your shoulder because these are nightmares just waiting to happen!
Source and Images: Kickstarter/Dan LuVisi’s POPPED CULTURE by Section 9 Entertainment (h/t: Kotaku Japan)












Sesame Street Fighter, the most badass children’s TV show ever (if only there were a show for it)
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Starbucks Japan to open Shinkansen platform stores at Kyoto and Nagoya stations
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Aichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited
Japan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
Final Fantasy plushie shoulder bags are fuzzy and functional [Photos]
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
U.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】