Makes us realize some of those things are actually made for grown-ups.

Japan puts the rest of the world to shame with its astounding range of picture books, ranging from simple folk tales to furry cat testicles. Incorporate some technology, lights or sounds, and they evolve into something much more than your average book.

The Norimono is one such tome, allowing toddlers to pretend they’re the driver of a patrol car, fire engine, ambulance, bus or a train. Sporting 20 different sounds, a steering wheel, a throttle and even an announcement microphone, it’s like the Ferrari of children’s picture books.

▼ Hand it to a child and he’ll press buttons and watch lights flash with innocent curiosity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2KGbfEA3kA

Put it into the skilled hands of Japanese Twitter user and train enthusiast @peanutTamura though, and you’ll feel as if you’ve been swiftly whisked into a departing East Japan Railways train.

▼ He’s even perfected the signature nasal voice of Japanese train drivers.

Either @peanutTamura’s clocked in a ton of practice with it or he’s actually a real train driver in disguise. Regardless, Japanese Twitter responded to his performance:

“Recently, the panels on toys like these have really become something. I honestly think it’s a waste on kids.”
“That is some serious performance there. It was so real that I watched it twice.”
“My son has the same book! I feel like trying this out myself.”
“It seems my neighbor has been practicing this.”
“When I showed this to my two-year-old son, he shouted ‘Train! Train! One more time!’”

While @peanutTamura has unlocked its true potential, it does seem like a waste to give it to children from an adult’s perspective. But as long as kids get entertained, does it really matter? One thing’s for sure though, the target audience for the Meiji-era Hell Picture Book is definitely adults.

Source: Twitter/@peanutTamura via Hachima Kikou
Top image: Twitter/@peanutTamura