
This is the creepiest version of Licca-chan ever, even for an April Fool’s Day joke.
Fortunately, April Fool’s Day only comes once a year — any more of these silly pranks and we’d probably spend every day sobbing in confusion in the corner. That said, some of the “jokes” we’ve seen this year have been quite a bit of fun, and this “new” version of Licca-chan, one of Japan’s most popular dolls, is among our favorites.
▼ And one of the creepiest things we’ve seen this year…
【改名宣言】香山理科になりました♡ 時代は"リケジョ"よ、うふふ♪ ⇒https://t.co/qyrSUyGYra #エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/bxGwESPa5N
— リカちゃん 公式 *♬ (@bonjour_licca) March 31, 2016
The joke here is actually a pun — Licca-chan is known as リカ (“Rika”) in Japanese, which just so happens to be the reading for the kanji 理科. If you’ve spent a lot of time in a Japanese school, you might recognize this as the word for “science.” In other words, Licca-chan is now “Rika-chan” (理科ちゃん) or “Science-chan!”
Apparently the name and new look were offered as an attempt to appeal to “rikeijo,” or “women in science,” though we can’t help thinking a lab coat might have been more effective…
▼ We do like that Science-chan is equipped with all manner of medical supplies!
05:【次に欲しい商品No.1】「理科ちゃん」人形の発売が決定しました。このドールがあれば、遊びながら自然に人体の知識が身につきます。https://t.co/WXBX55AUoK @bonjour_licca #エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/bgcXwQrPcN
— タカラトミー (@takaratomytoys) March 31, 2016
However, we do kind of get the logic here. As the tweet above explains, with this doll, you can play and learn about human anatomy at the same time! We wonder if the same logic could be used for our all-night Mortal Kombat gaming sessions.
While this is clearly an April Fool’s Day joke, we almost want one. As creepy as Science-chan is, she’s still kind of cute. And we could definitely use some help brushing up on our human anatomy knowledge…
References: Twitter/@bonjour_licca, Twitter/@takaratomytoys
Featured image: Twitter/@takaratomytoys
[ Read in Japanese ]

New Licca-chan doll from Japan has unnervingly rapid hair growth
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
This one delicious Japanese dessert has at least six different names
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Hokkaido man found naked in laundromat in middle of the night
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Step back in time with Japanese-themed rooms at rare vintage love hotel in Osaka【Video】
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way — Part 5: The second written test
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to the best Turkish rice restaurant in Nagasaki!
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply