What do you get when you combine a love of toy cars with a love of bugs? This amazing toy.
While toys in Japan can get pretty crazy, Japanese people also appreciate the curious inventions that other nations produce, like this insane Hello Kitty spinning top from Vietnam.
But toys can get even weirder. Japanese Twitter user @saitohyuka uploaded a video of this interesting toy car by Mattel called a Bug Racer that requires a cricket to make it come to life.
▼ Who knew crickets could drive as well as they sing?
https://twitter.com/saitohyuka/status/1165237367441018880When you place a cricket into the little driver’s pod and attach it to the main body of the car, a sensor picks up on the cricket’s movement and transforms that into blood-stirring music and almost erratic driving.
In case you’re wondering whether it actually needs a cricket to move, @saitohyuka also tried it out with an eraser to see what would happen.
▼ The music is different, and that car definitely isn’t going anywhere.
対照実験として、無生物(消しゴム)も乗せてみた。音楽が変わった。 pic.twitter.com/F4EXZ4ffKO
— サイトウユカ/齋藤友果 (@saitohyuka) August 24, 2019
Perhaps they were inspired by Garimpeiro Toys in Akihabara, who advertised on Twitter about the toy car powered by “elecrickety” just a day before @saitohyuka posted about it.
▼ You might not know the driver’s pod includes food and waste chambers without looking at the box.
たまにあるマテルの乱心!
— トイ&コミックのガリンペイロinAKIHABARA (@garimpeiro_toys) August 23, 2019
軽く嫌な予感しかしないおもちゃ入荷!
生きたコオロギを乗せることで、車内のコオロギの動きを感知して左右に走り回るバグレーサー!
コオロギじゃなくても動くらしいからみんなで買ってレースしようぜ!
店内にコオロギいないので動作保証いたしません! pic.twitter.com/pvOcBahovh
Reactions to the vehicle ranged from fascinated to even outraged at the cricket’s treatment.
“It’s like a cricket version of Evangelion…”
“Does it come with the cricket?”
“This must be like hell to the crickets.”
“Do you think there’s a group of people out there saying ‘Hey, this is cricket abuse!’?”
“I want to see a video of a cockroach driving it. I also wonder what happens if you put more than one bug in.”
While this certainly doesn’t seem like the ideal environment for crickets, it might be a tad better than making them into green tea-flavored snacks.
Sources: Twitter/@saitohyuka via My Game News Flash
Featured image: Twitter/@saitohyuka
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Tragic toy car accident in China leaves nation divided【Video】
Praying mantis in Japan hitches a ride, does a little dance for his driver【Video】
In the battle of car versus iron rails, iron rails win by T.K.O.【Video】
Japanese schoolgirl takes car salesman on test drive he’ll never forget in cool Honda ad【Video】
Live your childhood dreams with this life-size mini four-wheel drive car【Video】
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]
Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
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
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
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]
Please enjoy this video of the world’s cutest tailgating car, filmed in Japan【Video】
Japanese couple fights burglars with bug spray, golf club as they gas, smash getaway car【Video】
Half-destroyed truck seen driving down Japanese highway, astounds drivers【Video】
Ghibli toy creature cars — Nausicaa’s Ohmu’s have become creepily cute pull-back toys【Video】
Bull suddenly rams into a sedan at railroad crossing in China, captured on video
Get in the damn drift car, Shinji? Evangelion Tomika toy brings D1 machine home in miniature form
Farewell, old friend – It’s time to say goodbye to the car we bought for 980-yen (US$9.60) car
It’s so hot in Japan that people are cooking food in/on their cars【Photos】
Turning your car into a Like a Dragon video game itasha can now get you paid and clothed
Toyota’s new Mark X car paints a picture that depicts its Japanese roots【Video】
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
82-year-old Japanese man arrested for driving without license, says he had one 60 years ago
Anime isn’t like reality – Wannabe drifter crashes car, says he was trying to copy Initial D【Vid】