Wow...this isn't just _old_ news, it's practically _ancient_ in Net terms.

I first heard about these things 8 years ago, and that was here in BFE Hokkaido, of all places - which means that they'd no doubt been around in Tokyo for several years before that...

Hey BoingBoing...I'm in the market for a new job...care to hire me on as your on the ground reporter in Japan? ;)

Just a quick note...what they're hawking in this commercial is actually athlete's foot (水虫/mizumushi) medicine, which now that I think about it, makes a lot more sense than regular old anti-itch cream for giant tentacle porn.

(yes, my brain is a bit addled from living here for the last 8 years)

This is appalling and completely unacceptable!

I mean, there's like over 1000 leechers and the torrent is still stuck at 98%!

What is the world coming to? ;)

What was even better was when Makku started the "I'm lovin' it" campaign here and didn't realize what it sounded like w/ a katakana accent. *grin*

I do have to agree w/ a lot of you though....calling him Donald is just flat out 不自然でおかしい.

Yeah, it was pretty disgusting, but for my money, "Mr. Hands" had much more of an "OMFG!" factor to it, seeing as you're watching a guy die basically from being impaled.

Between these 2, gotasie & tubgirl, I think my poor soul has suffered enough, so I'll be passing on any others (BME Pain Olympics, etc) until my now fragile psyche is healed somewhat.

*shudder*

This makes sense...I always sorta had an image of Gordon Freeman that looks suspiciously similar to Cory *grin*

@ #24: My God...sounds like you've lived in Sapporo, too! ;)

Oh man...talk about memories. I remember drinking this stuff all the time in the winter growing as a kid in Colorado. I even got a free "Try It Hot!" mug at the Stock Show in Denver one time as show swag. Then again, this was probably during the age o' cane sugar, so dunno if I'd really wanna try it now.

Heck...I'm just happy that I can get my Peppa fix now that they've started selling it here in of all places, Village Vanguard, a chain of stationary & accessory stores.

I actually live here in Hokkaido & have driven over a few of these things, which was really kinda neat. They normally play some sort of enka song associated w/ the area they're located in, which is a little...well, not my bag, but to each their own, right?

Rather than being used to warn drivers to slow down though, these things are often used on Hokkaido's long, straight stretches (although never on expressways to my knowledge) to keep drivers alert & on the road. In addition for being famous for singing roads, Hokkaido is also famous for having the worst traffic fatality rates in the country pretty much every year (especially w/ so many tourists from Honshu that aren't used to the wide open spaces up here), so this really started out as a way to combat that.

Great to see the Great White Nort' (of Japan) on BoingBoing, so thanks!

Um...sorry to have to play Nihongo police here, but in everyday normal conversation, it's "ずるい" (in hiragana, not in kanji) and just means "no fair!"

I watch this show every now on then on SkyPerfecTV and it really is pretty funny, if not somewhat sad...

You've really gotta feel a bit sorry for Arino (part of the Yoiko comedy duo) when he goes on these 2-3 day gaming marathons. By the time it's all said & done, he's got cool pads slapped on his forehead and pretty much looks like crap, but the look of sheer happiness on his face at finishing the games is priceless.

Is it just me or does this sound like something that Douglas from The IT Crowd would say about his own dog? ;)

What CAN'T you buy from a vending machine here?

The other thing is that depending on how long the soba dough is mixed, kneaded and cut, the taste & texture can turn out completely different, so umm...pass? Sorry to be a soba snob, but after living in Hokkaido for the last 7 years w/ some of the best soba in all of Japan and a boss who makes the stuff in his spare time, I've defo acquired a taste for the good stuff. ;)

Oh, and Cory...if you want a personal tour of Hokkaido while you're on this side o' the pond, just let me know!

Ahhh, Shinjuku...how I love you and your authentic Irish pubs, Tokyu Hands & entire floor of English books at Kinokunia...

As compared to BFE Hokkaido where I currently reside, which is about as exciting as watching paint dry...

Wow...I'm speechless...

That makes 2 news items now that've popped up both here and a certain tinfoil hat, screwball, conspiracy nut site that sounds like "above top secret" ;)

I smell someone all up in our intarwebz brewin conzpeeriseez...

Glad to see that a few voices of reason have spoken up from among the calls of "How dare other cultures do things we don't agree with! STOP THE GENOCIDE OF THESE INNOCENT OCTOPI!!!!"

Seriously tho, it's really disconcerting to see so many culturally insulated & ignorant comments on the big board today. You've gotta remember guys...my culture isn't better than yours & your culture isn't better than mine. We're simply different is all.

Here in Japan, for example, still wiggling octopi, fish & other sea critters are an absolute delicacy as it's a sign of the extreme freshness of the product. I've personally tried sushi where the fish is still gasping on the table and wiggling in my mouth and shrimp that where alive 30 seconds prior and they really do taste amazing.

And ya know what? If you don't agree w/ that, ain't no thang, dude, as I respect other people's views. Just respect mine the same way, ok?

My God...

I'm an American, but your guys' comments REALLY make me glad I've lived in Japan the last 7 years...