Because it’s not enough to have reconstituted mystery meat products; you need mysterious mascots as well.
Anniversaries are a pretty big deal in Japan and people love acknowledging the events in creative ways. Whether it’s video games, anime or simply a beloved product with a long history, there always seems to be something to celebrate in Japan. This year happens to be the 45th anniversary of the staple food of college students and busy Japanese businessmen everywhere, Cup Noodle! They’ve already used this year to launch one surprisingly mysterious hit with fans, the Cup Noodle Big Mystery Meat Festival. Continuing with the festivities, Nissin has now revealed a 45th anniversary character.
▼ Introducing Cup Noodle Taitei, Cup Noodle the Great!
発売45周年を記念した
ゆでたまご先生描き下ろし
“オリジナル”キャラクター
「カップヌードル大帝」ここに誕生! pic.twitter.com/vzK7gvz3RO
Something this odd yet inspiring could only come from the manga duo Yudetamago (Takashi Shimada and Yoshinori Nakai), creators of the hit manga, Kinnikuman.
ガキのこれから大好物だった、カップヌードルが45周年を迎えその公式キャラクターのデザインをゆでたまごがやらせていただきました。その名もカップヌードル大帝 #キン肉マン pic.twitter.com/b3IRKVzwCI
We can hear you in the comments already — it looks a lot like a hybrid version of the blender/wrestler Mixer Taitei.
▼ Perhaps his brother from another mother?
https://twitter.com/zJGWrEh9uQ4yuiw/status/777429452808531968
The true raison d’être of Cup Noodle the Great has yet to be revealed, but he will spend this landmark year being as random and epic as possible. However, just like the reveal of a new Nissin Cup Noodle flavor, we can’t wait to see/taste what is coming next!
Source: Net Lab
Featured image: Twitter/@cupnoodle_jp

Cup Noodle wipes the floor with the competition…at a competition in Japan
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Final Fantasy with epic Cup Noodle worthy of a final boss
Nissin Cup Noodle flavored seasoning for rice?!?
Cup Noodle’s Super Combined flavors become super-awesome combined robots made from the cups【Pics】
Nissin’s new Cup Noodle series smashes flavours together for super combined power
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Delta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
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
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
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
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
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]
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】
Whole boxes of Mystery Meat going on sale in Japan, Cup Noodle fans rejoice
Clever Cup Noodle-only measuring cup becomes instant ramen lovers’ new most-wanted kitchenware
Cup Noodle instant ramen topping ice cream is on sale now, Nissin reminds/threatens us
Pikachu-lid Cup Noodle design could be the cutest instant ramen package ever
Cup Noodle now has cute cats and judgmental foxes waiting underneath its lids【Photos】
Seapoodle Cup Noodle flavor is on the way, sounds absolutely delicious (except for the name)
Combining all of Nissin’s new Cup Noodle series into one powerful bowl of ramen
Goodbye, Cup Noodle Shio! We try Nissin Cup Noodle’s revitalized new flavor, Negi Shio
Official microwaveable Cup Noodle-Use Measuring Cup is now a reality, could be yours if you act fast
Cup Noodle Mystery Meat Festival sales suspended due to overwhelming demand
Cup Noodle hamster wheel is the new adorable pet toy animal lovers in Japan want[Video]
Cup Noodle celebrates 50th birthday with Cup Noodle pouches
Nissin’s Cup Noodle gets glamorous birthday makeover!
Cup Noodle flavored Umaibo snacks coming, but getting one is a little tricky
Cup Noodle celebrates selling over 100 billion units with special “Japanese slang” packaging