
Japanese netizens are both creeped out and confused by this new Thanksgiving/Christmas emoji from Skype.
If you had any doubts about the prevalence of emoji in global communication tool, this winning entry for Oxford’s 2015 “Word of the Year” entry should be all the proof you need.
Emoji can quickly replace common item words or help set the tone of the message you’re trying to send, but admittedly some icons seem like rather odd choices, leaving users wondering just what the heck kind of feeling they’re supposed to be describing.
A recent Skype emoticon addition definitely falls into that category.
スカイプの新しい絵文字最高に気持ち悪くて笑った pic.twitter.com/F1hfkuS232
— 珠洲城くるみ (@_Suzushiro_) November 25, 2015
“This new Skype emoticon is so creepy, I couldn’t help but laugh.”
Just in time for American Thanksgiving, the emoji appears to depict a dancing turkey, and has caused an uproar on Twitter as Japanese netizens try to figure out when exactly would be the ideal time to use this kind of emoticon, like in this following tweet exchange:
“Tonight’s dinner is turkey~~ (dancing turkey icon) Maybe like that..? I dunno.”
“I don’t want to eat some dancing turkey for dinner..! I want to eat… I want to eat a regular turkey!”
We hear you and agree!
Maybe the people at Skype were just really excited about turkey, or perhaps this is just the result of binging a little too hard on the anime Jinsei wo Suitai Shimashita. Can you see the resemblance?
並べたら更に気持ち悪くなった pic.twitter.com/ODaxdUGWP1
— 珠洲城くるみ (@_Suzushiro_) November 25, 2015
“They’re even creepier when you line them up.”
Short of your turkey doing a boogie off the table just before it’s time to dig in, we’re not sure what kind of Skype conversation would necessitate the use of a dancing turkey, but we have to thank the developers at Skype for the laugh!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there celebrating! (P.S. If your day somehow involves an episode so crazy it can only be characterized by a dancing turkey, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!)
Source: Twitter/@_Suzushiro_ (1, 2) via Hachima Kikou
Feature/top image: Twitter/@_Suzuhiro_
Insert image: Random Curiosity

Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Mini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
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
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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】
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Mini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo