
One of Japan’s most ubiquitous toys reveals that beneath its cute and cuddly exterior lies an angry death metal machine.
The Kuma no Tonbi has been around since all the way back in 1988 and continues to be popular to this day—every time my daughter walks through the a store’s toy section, she homes right in on it out of all the other mechanical puppies and rabbits on display. There’s just something in the combination of bright yellow fur, cute round head with a big red whistle in its mouth, and little snare drum on which Kuma pon pon pons…
But these once adorable features tend to lose their appeal in our adult lives filled with technical marvels like Casio calculator watches and fax machines. So Mansooon, a humor writer for the website Netallica, developed a way to give Kuma no Tonbi a little more edge by adding a stronger motor powered externally by eight AA batteries. Here’s what happened.
WARNING: This video contains flashing images which may be harmful or cause discomfort to some
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYf4jKxCII
Mansooon’s new Kuma no Tonbi is powered by a Plasma Dash Motor intended to Tamiya Mini 4WD which are popular toy cars that hobbyists customize and race in competitions.
As the Kuma no Tonbi starts revving up, it quickly spits out the big red whistle.
Then as things get into full swing it rips off its own face simply by the raw power of its rocking.
What’s left is a yellow plastic robot face with a clearly pissed off expression.
Mansooon was impressed with the hidden potential the bear had and will consider super-charging more toys in the future. He also warns that if you should try this at home, be careful because the motor heats up very quickly.
All I know is next time I’m with my daughter in the toy section, I’m going to steer her away from Kuma no Tonbi towards something more wholesome, like “You Can Shave the baby.”
Image: standby life
Source: Netallica, Twitter/@mansooon (Japanese)
Video & Images: YouTube/omochanojumbo, YouTube/Netallica






Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Kirby mochi arrives at Family Mart, but is it as sweet to eat as it is to look at?【Taste test】
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Kirby mochi arrives at Family Mart, but is it as sweet to eat as it is to look at?【Taste test】
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Five of the worst areas to live in and around Tokyo
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Sadako now has her own YouTube channel, hopes to upload videos about her daily life
Japanese teen offers to catch purse snatcher for elderly woman, but is actually helping rob her
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Five of the worst areas to live in and around Tokyo
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Sadako now has her own YouTube channel, hopes to upload videos about her daily life
Japanese teen offers to catch purse snatcher for elderly woman, but is actually helping rob her
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
Practical Zelda Tears of the Kingdom merch is here to be Hyrule-helpful in your daily life【Pics】
Exhibition on the 1,500 year-history of traditional Japanese women’s clothing to open in Shibuya
Mega huge Mega Charizard Pokémon kites fly in the skies of Japan【Video】
We investigate a block of abandoned Russian territory in Nagasaki
Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】
Chikan molester runs away from Japanese schoolgirls at train station in Japan【Video】
Thinking she was giving money to Mick Jagger to invest for her, woman conned in Aomori
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Leave a Reply