Ryu takes on Gouki Nalds and Chun-Li battles Smile Guile. McDonald’s Japan recently teased a collaboration with Street Fighter video game franchise, posting a series of silhouette images that fans of the video game series immediately recognized as belonging to its cast of globe-trotting martial artists. With the not-really-a-mystery solved, McDonald’s is now ready to put the characters against each other in hand-to-hand, burger ingredient-to-burger ingredient battles showing off its new Street Fighter-inspired menu items. The Street Burger lineup consists of three sandwiches, with the first saluting series protagonist Ryu. As a teriyaki burger, the Roasted Garlic Mayo Egg Teriyaki uses one of the signature sauces of Ryu’s homeland of Japan, and the presence of tamarijoyu, a kind of aged soy sauce with a deeper, richer flavor, speaks to Ryu’s never-ending quest to improve himself. If you’re wondering why Ryu’s opponent in the above video, the character known in the West as Akuma, is called “Gouki Nalds,” it’s because Akuma’s original name in Japanese Street Fighter games is Gouki (pronounced with a long O vowel sound), which Capcom changed for overseas markets, likely to avoid a short U mispronunciation that would make it sound like an anti-Asian slur. The “Nalds” is simply sticking the end of “McDonald’s” onto Gouki’s name. ▼ Other bits of trivia: Though the background color matches the initial version of Street Fighter II, the “Round 1” font is from Super Street Fighter, and Ryu’s character portrait from before the fight begins is taken from Street Fighter II: Champion Edition. Next up: Chun-Li’s You Lin Ji Mayo Chicken. This one takes its cues from a Chinese fried chicken dish that’s a mainstay at Chinese restaurants in Japan. For the Street Burger, a fried chicken cutlet is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger, then giving a finishing touch of sweet mayonnaise. ▼ Chun-Li unleashing Hundred You Lin Ji Kicks against Smile Guile’s (a nod to McDonald’s “free smiles” menu listing) Mayo Booms. And rounding out the Street Burger Trio is the return of McDonald’s popular “Torichi,” or Triple Cheeseburger. This one is presented as Ken’s Street Burger. Why Ken? Maybe because all those slices of cheese are supposed to resemble his long, blond hair. Or maybe it’s because Ken hails from the U.S., and you can’t get more American than a triple cheeseburger. Or maybe it’s because Ken, as the wealthiest of all the Street Fighter characters, can afford to splurge for the 590 yen (US$4) Torichi, while Ryu and Chun-Li have to stick to tighter budgets and their Street Burgers are just 470 yen. ▼ By the way, it looks like the corner butcher shop from Chun-Li’s Street Figther II, which was in business since at least 1991, has closed down and been replaced by a McDonald’s branch. ストリートファイターとマクドナルドがタッグを組んだ！ストリートバーガーズ10/22(水)から！この投稿に【#マックから期間限定ストリートバーガーズ】をつけて本日10/16(木)中にリプライすると、抽選で100名様に1,000円分のマックカードをプレゼント！詳細は画像をタップ！— マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) October 15, 2025 Tweeting a replay to the above tweet from the McDonald’s Japan official Twitter account with the hashtag #マックから期間限定ストリートバーガーズ (“limited-time Street Burgers from McDonald’s) will enter you into a drawing choosing 100 winners who’ll each receive a 1,000-yen McDonald’s prepaid gift card. Also joining the menu during the Street Fighter promotion is an apple-flavored energy drink, the McFizz Overflowing Energy (300 yen or 380 yen as an ice cream float) which comes in a cup with Ryu and Ken throwing hadoukens at each other and life bars above them. The videos also show other members of the Street Fighter II cast, but so far no sandwiches or drinks for them have been announced. The Street Burgers go on sale October 22. Source: McDonald’s Japan Top image: YouTube/マクドナルド公式（McDonald’s） Insert images: YouTube/マクドナルド公式（McDonald’s） (1, 2, 3, 4), McDonald’s Japan ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Mushrooms are in, bamboo is out this season. For years now, Japan has been a country divided between Kinoko no Yama, which is a chocolate and cookie snack shaped like little mushrooms, and Takenoko no Sato, which is a chocolate and cookie snack shaped like little bamboo shoots. It’s a rather silly feud really, because Kinoko no Yama is clearly the better snack. It’s not even close. ▼ Top: Kinoko no Yama, bottom (where it belongs): Takenoko no Sato Both are made by Japanese snack maker Meiji. Kinoko no Yama even predates Takenoko no Sato, having been released four years earlier in 1975. That also means this year is the 50th anniversary of this unbeatable configuration of chocolate and cookie in an unrivaled balance of tastes and textures. And I think we all know what that means; It’s time for a fashion show! On 14 October, the fashion show Kinokore, a mash-up of “kinoko” (the Japanese word for “mushroom”) and “collection,” was held by the makers of Kinoko no Yama, Meiji, and celebrated fashion designer Junko Koshino. After a show of Koshino’s regular works, a group of models in mushroom-themed garb took to the runway, sporting ensembles in chocolatey brown. The final model also happened to be surprise guest Win Morisaki, singer, actor, and more recently spokesperson for Kinoko no Yama’s 50th anniversary. His long synthetic leather outfit was the centerpiece of the show for more reasons than just fashion. Another aspect of this fashion show was to highlight the use of cocoa husk as a raw material for textiles. When producing chocolate, the husks of cocoa beans are removed and usually discarded as waste. However, it’s now been found that they can by upcycled as a substance to make the outer layer of resin in synthetic leathers, one that’s much more environmentally friendly than the petroleum normally used. After the event, Koshino herself came out to the applause of attendees. She mentioned that she usually doesn’t eat sweets, but tried Kinoko no Yama and loved them. She also said she never had the chance to work with a mushroom theme in design before and enjoyed it. That’s a little surprising since it’s hard not to notice some mushroom contours in her own look. ▼ Junko Koshino It certainly wasn’t lost on the creators of this collaboration either, because in addition to the fashion show, a whole new mascot character was created in the form of Junko Kinoko. T-shirts bearing Junko Kinoko’s likeness and dyed with cocoa husk are currently being offered as prizes by going to the official Line account of Meiji Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato and submitting a receipt showing over 500 yen of either snack products were purchased to enter the draw. Yes, it is certainly a fun-filled celebration for the best chocolate-cookie snack around. And don’t worry, fans of Takenoko no Sato, that anniversary will come in 2029. It should be an easy wait since anyone who prefers to eat those things must enjoy suffering. Source: Meiji (1, 2), Oricon News Top image ©SoraNews24 Insert images: SoraNews24, Meiji ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

A once-adored location in Ikebukuro is down to its last few months. Japan is one of the last bastions of video game arcade culture, but these are tumultuous times for the industry. It’s not just little local arcades that have been closing their doors, as even multi-story, once-landmark game centers in major urban centers have begun fading away, and the next example will be occurring soon in Tokyo. 40 years ago, arcade chain Adores opened a branch on Sunshine 60 Street, the main street that leads from Ikebukuro Station to the 60-floor Sunshine 60 entertainment complex and office tower. With Ikebukuro being a part of Tokyo where the crowds tend to skew younger than more heavily bar and club-concentrated districts, Adores Sunshine was one of a handful of large-scale arcades that thrived in the area during the industry’s heyday of the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s. ▼ Adores Sunshine But after four decades, time is running our for the three-floor arcade. This week, Adores announced that Adores Sunshine will be permanently closing in January. The statement cites “various circumstances,” a standard vague term commonly used by Japanese businesses, as the reason for the closure, but the lack of specific reason such as the lease ending or the building being scheduled for demolition or extensive renovations would seem to imply that the arcade is no longer profitable enough to justify continuing operating. “Our entire staff is filled with appreciation for all of our customers who visited our arcade and spent happy times here over these many years,” says the statement from Adores Sunshine. “We look forward to the day when we will be able to see you again! Thank you so much for these 20 years.” Despite the comment about seeing fans again, Adores has given no indication that they intend to reopen in a new location near the current Adores Sunshine, and the statement on Adroes Sunshine’s website about its impending closing instead mentions two other branches in the chain, Adores Shibuya, also in Tokyo and about 30 minutes south of Ikebukuro, and Adores Wako, around the same distance northwest of Ikebukuro in the city of Wako, Saitama Prefecture. ▼ From Adores Sunshine to Adores Shibuya ▼ From Adores Sunshine to Adores Wako As mentioned above, this is a tough time for video game arcades, and Ikebukuro has also lost two other famous ones in recent years. Home consoles and PCs now have hardware as powerful as any arcade machines, and at-home online play provides a larger pool of other gamers to play with and against than in-person co-op or versus-play arcade cabinets. Smartphone selfies and social media have replaced sticker picture booths as the go-to way for social teens and twentysomethings to take and share photos. Crane games/UFO catchers remain popular, but attract a different crowd than conventional gamers, often necessitating rebranding and rethinking promotions and location choices. Even claw machines face a potential threat as gacha/capsule toy machines become increasingly popular, offering a bit of exciting uncertainty from their randomized nature while also ensuring that you never walk away empty-handed. Still, it’s always sad to see an arcade close down, whether you’re a veteran who remembers what they were like or a younger gamer who’s never had a chance to experience a proper Japanese game center. Adores Sunshine’s last day is slated for January 18, so you’ll want to stop on by before then, and while you’re in the neighborhood consider paying a visit and dropping a few coins at one of Tokyo’s best retro arcades that’s still hanging on. Location information Adores Sunshine / アドアーズサンシャイン店 Address: Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Higashi Ikebukuro 1-14-1 東京都豊島区東池袋1-14-4 Open 10 a.m.-11:45 p.m. Website Source: Adores via Denfamico Gamer Top image: Adores ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

The newest official Nintendo shop will be open surprisingly soon. When Nintendo opened its first-ever specialty shop in Japan, it made the obvious decision of putting it in Tokyo, in the Shibuya neighborhood to be precise. Osaka was a logical choice for the next, as it’s central Japan’s largest city and there’s synergy to create with Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan and its Super Nintendo World area. And while Kyoto isn’t very far from Osaka, it made a certain sense to open the third Nintendo store there , since it’s Nintendo’s hometown, after all. Nintendo took a break from expanding last year, but now it’s getting ready to open its first new location since 2023. As revealed back in May, Fukuoka is the next city to be getting a Nintendo shop, and now the opening date for Nintendo Fukuoka has finally been announced. [おしらせ]国内4店舗目となる任天堂直営オフィシャルストア「Nintendo FUKUOKA」は、11月14日（金）にアミュプラザ博多の8階にオープンします。九州では初めての出店となります。https://t.co/lE5RXCAsNw pic.twitter.com/mjlO88FMSd— Nintendo TOKYO/OSAKA/KYOTO/FUKUOKA (@N_Officialstore) October 14, 2025 The grand opening will take place on November 14, two years, one month, and one day after Nintendo Kyoto started welcoming fans. As with the other Nintendo stores, Nintendo Hakata will be located within a multi-story entertainment center, on the eighth floor of the JR Hakata City Amu Plaza Hakata Amu Plaza Hakata complex that’s attached to Hakata Station, Fukuoka City’s primary rail hub into which both local and Shinkansen trains run. ▼ The location of Nintendo Fukuoka Overall, the reaction to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, especially because of the short wait until the store will be open. It has reopened also reopened “Nagoya skipping” wounds, though, with some online commenters lamenting that, as often happens when musicians are putting together their tour schedules, Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city, has been passed over, despite having around 2.2 million people, roughly 700,000 more than Fukuoka. “What about Nagoya?” “Nagoya skip…” “Nagoya skip strikes again.” “I want one in Nagoya too.” “Please make the next store in Nagoya.” Nintendo hasn’t made any official statement about why it picked Fukuoka to be the location for its newest store, but it is the largest city in southwestern Japan in terms of population. In addition to local residents, Fukuoka City also gets a lot of tourism traffic coming both from farther south on the island of Kyushu, and also from the western end of Japan’s main island of Honshu. In addition, Fukuoka sees a lot of inbound international travelers, especially from China, Korea, and other Asian countries, and considering the immense popularity with foreign tourists that the Nintendo store in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto enjoy, Nintendo is likely hoping for a similar reaction from travelers visiting Fukuoka. Source: Twitter/@N_Officialstore via Hachima Kiko Top image: Twitter/@N_Officialstore Insert image: Nintendo ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Enjoy an elevated Starbucks experience at this famous tourist site. Starbucks has a lot of beautiful branches in Japan, but the most impressive amongst them are the “Regional Landmark Stores“, of which there are only 29 across the country. Located in iconic or culturally significant sites like historic buildings, these special stores have unique architectural elements designed to reflect local scenery, history, and traditions, with the aim of blending in seamlessly with their surroundings. They offer visitors an experience beyond what you’d usually find at a regular Starbucks, and one impressive example can be found at Nagano Prefecture’s famous tourist spot, Zenkoji Temple. ▼ The Starbucks Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise Street Store is one of the chain’s rarest locations. The first thing you’ll notice when visiting the store is the wooden Japanese-style building it’s housed in. With no evidence of the chain’s iconic green hue on the old building itself, the store fits in beautifully with the surrounding streetscape, making it seem as if it’s been in business at this location for centuries. Step inside, though, and you’ll find a spacious, two-storey interior with artwork featuring the crest of Zenkoji Temple, the standing hollyhock. Explore further and you’ll come across even more surprising artworks — two approximately four-metre (13-foot) tall tapestries depicting coffee cherries and flowers. ▼ The hand-dyed tapestries are incredibly impressive in person as they stretch from floor to ceiling. The interior utilises locally sourced wood, which gives the space a warm, calming vibe, and the open ceiling design enhances the relaxing atmosphere throughout. ▼ The heated recessed floor seating on the second floor is particularly sought after, especially in the colder months. Despite being in a bustling tourist area, the store is like a relaxing haven away from the crowds, making it the perfect spot for a break during a day of sightseeing. Regional Landmark Stores like this one deserve to be tourist destinations in their own right, and there are equally beautiful ones to be found in Kawagoe and Kobe City. Store information Starbucks Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise Street Store / スターバックス 信州善光寺仲見世通り店 Address: Nagano-ken, Nagano-shi, Motozen-cho 483 長野県 長野市 元善町483 Open 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Irregular holidays Photos©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Hayao Miyazaki’s latest anime makes its photo spot debut, but a classic Castle in the Sky scene is bowing out. Ghibli Park isn’t a typical theme park. Instead of rides and parades, the focus is on art and atmosphere, with one of the biggest draws being Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, which houses a variety of artistic artifacts and displays about how the famed studio creates its anime films. One of the highlights of the Warehouse is its Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes section, which invites visitors to step into famous scenes from Ghibli anime, taking the place of one of the characters and allowing you to see things from the in-movie perspective (plus snap some really cool photos). Soon, Ghibli Park will be making its first update to Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes since the park’s opening in 2022. The area currently consists of 14 scenes and will be getting seven all-new ones. Starting with the bad news, as part of the update some of the existing scenes will be going away. December 1 will be the last day for the Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes displays for The Wind Rises, When Marnie Was There, and Ocean Waves. Considering that those are among Ghibli’s less enduringly popular titles, there probably won’t be too many tears shed as they’re shuffled out, but December 1 will also be the last chance for fans to enjoy the Castle in the Sky/Laputa scene where they can catch Sheeta falling from the sky, one of the most memorable visuals in anime. But moving on to the things to smile about, four Ghibli anime will be getting their very first Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes displays. The most intriguing of the bunch is The Boy and the Heron, Hayao Miyazaki’s most recent movie, as guests are invited to take protagonist Mahito’s place as he and Himi have a fateful conversation with the mysterious powerful sorcerer Granduncle. ▼ The scene that serves as the inspiration for the new Ghibli Park display Also making their Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes debuts are scenes from My Neighbors the Yamadas, Ghiblies Episode 2 (an animated short that screened in theaters with The Cat Returns), and On Your Mark (the Studio Ghibli-animated music video for Japanese pop duo Chage and Aska’s 1994 song of the same name). Ghibli Park hasn’t given any hints as to which specific scenes will be featured for those three works, but in the case of On Your Mark, the sequence with the angel and the two policemen in the Alfa Romeo-esque convertible is largely considered its signature moment. In addition, Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes will be introducing three new scenes from Only Yesterday, Porco Rosso, and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya as part of the update, with all seven new displays being added on December 17. Ghibli Park hasn’t said what’s going to happen to the Becoming Characters in Memorable Ghibli Scenes displays that are being shuffled out, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll be destroyed, especially with how iconic the Sheeta scene is. Most likely they’ll be kept in storage so that they can be used in future traveling exhibitions of Ghibli art. Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse isn’t the only part of the park that’s getting a sprucing up, either. The Rotunda Kazegaoka cafe is currently closed for renovations, but when it reopens on November 1, it’ll feature a gigantic Savoia S-21, the beloved flying boat of Porco Rosso’s porcine protagonist. This woodcraft piece of art was previously on display at the Studio Ghibli Exhibition Tokyo 2025 event in Japan’s capital, but with it ending late last month, the anime aircraft is getting a new, and permanent, home at Ghibli Park. Source: PR Times Top image: PR Times Insert images: PR Times, Studio Ghibli ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Kitty-chan is celebrating her birthday in style. As we get deeper into autumn, picnicking opportunities usually start to dry up. What with the weather getting colder and the days shorter, it becomes tougher to plan one out and coordinate schedules with friends, and so oftentimes those picnic plans get pushed back to the following spring. However, this year’s picnic season isn’t quite over yet, and there’s an especially compelling invitation from none other than Hello Kitty. Coming October 29 to the Roppongi neighborhood of downtown Tokyo is the Hello Kitty’s Picnic Garden event. It’ll be taking place at the Roppongi Hills entertainment complex, and the duration of the event includes Kitty-chan’s official birthday, November 1. Though this is an open-air event, with Roppongi Hills’ O-Yane Plaza serving as the venue with grassy (or at least artificial turf) areas, it’s not clear whether or not visitors will be encouraged to actually bring a meal to eat while stretching out, as the organizers are describing it as a “picnic-like” experience. The visual motif is an English garden, referencing Hello Kitty’s birthplace of London (as per her official profile), and it looks like there will be a variety of photo spots, including a Hello Kitty statue and stylish apple tree. Kitty-chan herself is getting dressed up for the event, sporting a houndstooth-pattern outfit on a special plushie and gacha/blind-buy straps, plus stickers that’ll be given out to fans making purchases at the attached merch shop. While supplies last, visitors will also receive one of four mini fragrance bottles, with their scents called “Mama’s Apple Pie,” “Little Flowers Blooming in the Garden,” “The Tone of the Piano After the Rain,” and “My Favorite Ribbon.” Hello Kitty’s Picnic Garden is scheduled to run from October 29 to November 14, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on its first day and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. thereafter. Related: Roppongi Hills official website Source, images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service feature in this new collection. Now that the days are finally getting cooler, Studio Ghibli is here to keep our toes and hearts warm with a bumper new collection of socks featuring some of our favourite characters. With a wide variety of styles to suit your needs and preferences, it’ll be hard to choose just one pair to add to our sock drawer. Let’s take a look at everything available below, starting with a trio designed to feel like marshmallows. ▼ Soft Marshmallow Crew — 23-25 centimetre sizes (9.06–9.84 inches) — 990 yen (US$6.49) each Each sock features an embroidered character on the outer side, while the inner side remains plain. The characters here are: ▼ The white Small Totoro from My Neighbour Totoro... ▼ …Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service… ▼ …and Hin (a.k.a Heen) from Howl’s Moving Castle. Next up, we have one special extra-fluffy pair in honour of black cat Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service. ▼ Kiki’s Delivery Service Fleece-lined Socks “Footprints” — sizes 23-24 centimetres (1,650 yen) With Jiji embroidered on the outside and a soft fleece lining on the inside, these socks are so cute and cuddly you’ll never want to take them off. ▼ My Neighbour Totoro Warm Room Socks — 23-25 centimetres (880 yen) This next duo of socks come with an anti-slip surface on the underside to help keep you steady on even the smoothest floors. The full pile construction provides excellent insulation and water absorption, and there are two character designs to choose from. ▼ Small Totoro ▼ Soot Sprites ▼ My Neighbour Totoro Blanket Socks — 22-26 centimetres (1,650 yen each) Finally, we have a trio of long socks that’ll hug your toes and your calves with the help of some beloved characters. ▼ The Caramel design features Totoro with autumnal motifs that include a nod to the character’s love of acorns. ▼ The Bordeaux design features Jiji with rows of pretzels. ▼ The Black design has No Face peering out at us…along with its fearful teeth. The new sock range is an adorable way to show your love for Studio Ghibli throughout the colder months, and they can be purchased at Donguri Kyowakoku stores in Japan and online (links below) while stocks last. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Featured image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Join us as we find out if these new items live up to the hype. It’s not long now until Halloween…that is, unless you’re at Starbucks in Japan, where the festivities are already underway. At the centre of the celebrations is a special limited-edition beverage called the Acai Berry Frappuccino (730 yen [US$4.79]), which is dressed up to look like a mischievous black cat. ▼ The chocolate ears make it seem like a cat is hiding out inside. The combination of cat ears and dark black and berry hues make this one of Starbucks’ most visually striking creations, and the flavours are equally intriguing, with a blend of acai, cassis, raspberry, and blackberry. ▼ On top, the whipped cream is drizzled with black chocolate sauce. We ventured over to our nearest Starbucks to try the new drink as soon as it was released on 10 October, and we were greeted at the front door by a cute black cat. The feline welcome sets the scene for the cat-inspired Frappuccino, and when we got our first sip of it, we found that the acai was subtle, with a stronger berry presence to counteract the tartness, creating a refreshing, easy-to-drink beverage. The acai drifts through every now and then, flitting through the palate like a feline in the shadows, while the nutty chocolate provides a crunchy contrast that’ll make you feel like a cat biting into a toy. The sauce atop the whipped cream is slightly bitter and rich in flavour, creating a perfectly balanced sweetness with a hint of bitterness that’s delicious with the clean-tasting berry base. Although the cat-eared Frappuccino clearly steals the show, another item called the Acai Berry Yuzu Citrus & Tea (590 yen) also made its menu debut on the same day. This drink builds upon the chain’s yuzu citrus tea with added acai pulp, and when we purchased ours, the barista recommended we switch it to a passionfruit tea for something a little different, at no extra charge. The acidity and bitterness of the acai berry blends well with the distinctly tart passionfruit tea blend nicely. Thanks to the yuzu citrus, the aftertaste is refreshing and clean, creating a beverage that’s so drinkable you’ll be tempted to buy it again. Both new drinks are absolutely delicious, and the celebrations don’t stop there, as the chain has a whole swathe of limited-edition Halloween goods in store, including a cute ghost mug with a special glow-in-the-dark feature. So if you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate Halloween this year, seeing as street parties in Shibuya are now strictly off limits, hop into your nearest Starbucks and treat your taste buds to a taste of the new drinks. They’re only being made in limited quantities while stocks last though, so be sure to get in quick to join the celebrations. Photos©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Our boss tested the limits of Tokyo’s most liberated neighbourhood and was detained by police. Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-chome district is recognised as Japan’s most liberated and vibrant LGBTQ+ neighbourhood, and it’s an area that never sleeps, with an exciting vibe that lingers well into the morning. It’s a place where stories are born, myths are made…and our founder, Yoshio, was once almost arrested. The incident occurred eight years ago, when Yoshio was coaxed into dressing up as Hentai Kamen (“Pervert Mask“) for an article by his subordinate P.K. Sanjun. With P.K. egging him on, Yoshio felt brave enough to walk out into the streets of Ni-chome as both of them bared their bodies in the minimal coverage of the character’s mankini body thong, but when they got close to the local police box, they were called inside and interrogated. What conspired was a brush with the law that proved to be unnerving for both Yoshio and P.K., but the story has an untold side, involving what our reporter Seiji Nakazawa experienced when he was called in to assist with the matter. On that day, Seiji was in the office, with only one other writer typing away on the other side of the room. The quietness of the room was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing around midday, and when his colleague answered the phone, Seiji could tell she was turning pale just by the tone of her voice. Her mood shifted dramatically from the second word spoken and Seiji immediately knew this was no ordinary call. Turning to look at her, she briefly put the call on hold, placed her hand over the mouthpiece and said to him, in a hushed tone, “Yoshio just got caught!” Seiji almost spat out his tea. What exactly does one do when your boss and founder of the business you work for gets caught? He’d never contemplated such a situation, but since he was the only senior member of the team in the office, it fell upon him to respond to the police request that someone “bring clothes to the police box“. With anxious thoughts running through his head, Seiji brought a bundle of clothes to the police box, and inside, Yoshio and P.K. were standing. Not arrested, but apprehended and not allowed to leave. Seiji entered the station with a deep apologetic bow, and as he came eye-to-eye with his colleagues, he saw that Yoshio looked solemn but P.K. seemed to have a cocky attitude, like a junior high student who’d been scolded by a teacher. As the situation unfolded, Seiji felt that P.K. seemed to have put Yoshio in the lurch by pressuring him to walk the streets semi naked, but now, with some distance between the event, he decided to question Yoshio to find out how he really felt at the time. He started his interrogation with the following question: “When you were caught by the police, how did you feel?” Yoshio: “At that time, I thought I had done nothing wrong at all. So I didn’t understand why I was being yelled at.” “You didn’t intentionally expose your body to passersby?” Yoshio: “No, not at all. I was careful to cover my private parts with tape, so I didn’t think I was actually naked.” “How did you feel while you were at the police box?” Yoshio: “There was anxiety and fear. I thought everything would be over if I got arrested.” “Why did you decide to do what you did in the first place? Yoshio: “Because P.K. suggested we do it.” “So do you think you were set up?” Yoshio: “Not really. As the boss, I should have stopped it. I caused trouble for many people.” During police questioning, the officers actually threatened to escalate the situation by calling Yoshio’s boss, but when they asked them for their boss’s details, Yoshio surprised them with his reply: “I am the boss”. It was certainly a surprise to the officers, who ended up releasing him and P.K. with a warning. Still, it left a scar on the duo, and Seiji himself realised he too had unfinished feelings about it all. He’d long wanted to talk about the events of that day with Yoshio, but after fetching him from the police box, it became a sore point that neither of them were able to talk about comfortably. After conducting his own informal questioning though, Seiji felt a sense of closure, and with Yoshio expressing regret over his actions on that day, and the effect it had on everyone around him, he seemed to find some closure on the matter too. It was a lesson learned in how not to overstep the mark with what police deem acceptable on the streets, and now they know where the line is, they’ve been careful to keep the crazy antics contained within the office and at our cheap countryside house instead. Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!