If you or your child is a Thomas fan, you might want to look away.
Thomas the Tank Engine is a character beloved by children in Japan and worldwide. We’re sure Japanese snack makers at Lotte had good intentions in mind when they released a collection of sweet Ramune candy packed into a tube with Thomas characters on the cover.
What they didn’t realize, though, is that these innocent-looking faces could look unexpectedly terrifying, as proven by netizens in Japan.
▼ Lighting makes all the difference.
トーマスのラムネかわいいよね pic.twitter.com/Ldn4xyiWwo
— 琴名 (@rbgyfl) January 11, 2014
Besides Thomas, Lotte’s line of Thomas Ramune candy includes “Surprised Thomas,” Percy, James, Hiro, and Gordon. Personally, “Surprised Thomas” and Percy strike terror into my heart, but take a look at the photo below and judge for yourself.
▼ “‘Yay, they’re still selling Thomas stuff!’ I thought, but then I took a second look and thought, ‘Who decided on these face designs for something marketed towards children?‘”
https://twitter.com/kinaco88/status/500536090457948160The more we look into the reactions to this Thomas fiasco from netizens though, the more we realize that it’s not always about which character we’re looking at. Sometimes, it’s the candy’s surroundings that are more terrifying.
▼ Here’s an example of Thomas getting stuck down someone’s sink drain. Save him.
トーマスラムネの蓋をうっかり排水口に落としたら、思いの外じわる恐怖感。 pic.twitter.com/Nxhmwks5HT
— 山猫⚾️(*^◯^*) (@Lynx0202) April 17, 2014
You know that feeling when you forgot you bought something tasty for yourself, re-discover it, and are seized by a fit of joy? That’s not going to be the case with this candy.
▼ “I bought this Thomas candy for my son, but my heart skipped a beat when I opened my bag.”
息子用のトーマスラムネをバッグに入れてたら開ける度にちょっとドキッとする。 pic.twitter.com/Yy9ICnqMAf
— みくママ (@mikumama1015) August 15, 2014
▼ “I thought it’d be fun to put some filters on this photo of Thomas ramune that I took, but holy crap I didn’t expect it to get that scary.”
https://twitter.com/0hkome/status/502443420107804673We hope you felt both nostalgia and horror at seeing Thomas in this light – literally. We can only hope that Thomas and his Friends are freed soon.
Source: Naver Matome
Featured image: Twitter/@rgbyfl

Thomas the Tank Engine toy trolls Twitterer, terrorizes vacuum
Japanese theatres welcome Thomas the Tank Engine’s newest train, a Japanese shinkansen, in 2021
Japanese Twitter user gets help from Thomas the Tank Engine for cooling drinks 【Video】
Japanese woman’s hair turns into literal train wreck thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine’s friend
Japanese Twitter user ruins Thomas the Tank Engine for everyone with ultra-creepy drawing
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Mt Fuji installs new emergency shelters ahead of the 2026 climbing season
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Thomas the Tank Engine transforms into gorgeous horror with Chinese smartphone face filter
Japanese actor accused of using cocaine may actually have been eating little girls’ candy
Cherry blossom cotton candy pizza sounds too good to be true, but it actually exists in Tokyo
Young Japanese artist crafts exquisite animal-shaped candy at his shop in Asakusa
Japanese cardboard-tank cats are here to conquer your heart and pillage your fridge【Pics】
Japanese candy company make tearful, heartfelt apology for raising their prices… by US$0.07
Japanese candy craftsman creates new line of lollipops with traditional summer themes
Hilarious Pokémon cosplay at Comiket 90 includes PokéStops and Exeggutor Alola form【Pics】
Coming soon to Japan: Chilled sweet bean ice candy flavored potato chips…with salt!