My earliest encounter with Japanese culture was through Pokémon. I watched the dubbed anime on cable television, collected the cards, and I saved my pocket money for a whole year to buy a Gameboy Colour console and Pokémon Blue cartridge. I also had Pokémon posters and plushies in my bedroom, and I printed a t-shirt with pictures of my favourite water Pokémon (especially Blastoise!). I didn’t really keep up after the first 151 Pokémon, but years later I was still so excited to visit a Pokémon-themed cafe!
As you can see, there are Pikachu everywhere! Even the food looks like Pikachu!
I ordered カレーライス (curry rice) because I love the subtle flavour of Japanese curry. When Japanese people ask me what Japanese food I like, they always respond that カレーライス isn’t Japanese! But curry doesn’t taste this good anywhere else I’ve traveled. The yellow rice came in the shape of Pikachu’s head, with browned tortilla chips for ears, sliced pickles for his big shiny eyes and rosy cheeks, and a seaweed smile. He sat in a curry sauce with meat, broccoli, and carrot and omelet cut into stars.
Alberto had the ハンバーガー (hamburger), which also came with browned tortilla chip ears and pickled rosy cheeks, though his face was burnt onto the bread bun! I wonder if it was made with real Pikachu meat? Are Pikachu becoming an endangered species because of this cafe?
For dessert, we all had Pikachu blancmange, with whipped cream and sprinkles. Here you can see that the tabletops are also Pikachu-themed, and the floor is a blanket of fake grass to give a sense of adventure in the Pokéwilderness!
The cafe was part of an exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi, to celebrate and promote the new Pokémon XY movie. I saw official concept art, animation techniques, a short film, and even ran around a dark room pressing Pokéball-shaped buttons to reveal different Pokémon. I didn’t catch a Blastoise, though. ): In another room, all 16 Pokémon movies were playing at the same time. It was so decadent!
As a bonus, here is a Pokémon-themed suitcase which appeared in my hostel in Nara. Unfortunately I never got to meet its owner, but I did admire her collection of regional Pokémon stickers! I have a lot more to write about my own adventures all over Japan, so please follow me if you are interested in reading them. ^o^
Which is your favourite Pokémon? Could you bear to eat their face!?