Biking home today Megumi spotted a 100 yen shop and we had to stop. As we wandered around I heard the kids giggling in excitement about something. Kokoro ran up to me and announced, “They have a new picture! Come see!” and ran off. I had no clue what she meant but figured I’d better find out. She led me to the beverage section and pointed to a rack of Dr. Pepper. I groaned. The kids had found a new grotesque on the label and decided that Papa NEEDED to know about it. SO, Here is some more freaky advertising from Japan for your entertainment…
There was another new bit of anime art as well but that was a bit too over-the-top so I decided against posting it.
This blog has been brought to you by the caffeine in Dr. Pervy…
So, when do my product placement earnings start rolling in?
Ray and I were biking around the other day when he mentioned that he was thirsty. It was a short ride home so I said we could wait until then to get something to drink. Ray knows me very well so the next vending machine we passed he announced loudly “Oooh look, they have Dr. Pepper!” Simple but effective manipulation that I fell for immediately.
I finally figured out how they managed to make a market for a product in country where most people think it tastes like medicine: Anime porn! You don’t believe me? Here are some pics that I took of the can …
Like other simple, effective manipulation it works for me too. I bought two more. 😉
Filed under: Expat, Japan | Tags: caffeine, Dr. Pepper, Ise, Ise-shi, Japan, Kawasaki, Mie, Mie-ken, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Osaka, Red BUll, shopping
Nintendo DS addicts and crack-heads have a greater grip on the consumer zeitgeist than those of us who abuse other products — but we are out there. A few of us are even over here.
In the old days, I used to have to take the hydroplane to Osaka (up-hill, both ways, in the snow, etc…) in order to buy Dr. Pepper. So, I wouldn’t have thought there were any other Dr. Pepper users in central Japan but then the New Guy showed up. The New Guy isn’t really new, he’s been with the company since long before it was this company. However, he was sent to the US for seven years to work at a subsidiary there (trans: “to be a tool”). Somewhere during that period, the New Guy picked up a baaad case of the Peppers…
Since this was the only Japanese person that I have ever met who admits to liking the stuff, I figured his problem couldn’t be too bad. I was wrong! It turns out that the guy was seriously jonesing for some of the other “caramel colored caca water”. So bad that he went and found a source — a local source! The dude hooked me up the next day.
So … If you’re ever in Ise-shi, Mie-ken and you are in desperate need for the ideal caffeine delivery mechanism (PUNK, don’t even start about Red Bull), drop by the second floor of the Kawasaki-cho LaLa Park. The not-so-trust-worthy looking shop above MaxValue can set you up the bomb. Tell them Eric sent you — you won’t get a discount but the lady behind the counter might get confused and mis-calculate your bill.
Little House In Ise 