Explosive Popularity of 'Poketmonppang'... Japanese Media Say "They Called It 'No Japan'"

Japanese Netizens: "'No Japan' Wasn't It... I Don't Understand"

A convenience store in Seoul displays 'Pokemon Bread'. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As SPC Samlip's Pok?mon bread, re-released after 16 years, continues to enjoy explosive popularity, Japanese media are also highlighting the Pok?mon bread craze in Korea. However, some media outlets have reported on the craze by saying "No Japan is over." 'No Japan' refers to the boycott movement against Japanese products that began in July 2019.

According to an online secondhand trading platform on the 10th, the complete set of all 159 types of 'Pok?mon bread Tibu Tibu seals' is being traded for up to 800,000 won. The popular Pok?mon 'Pikachu' Tibu Tibu seal is being sold for 100,000 won each, and the rare item 'Mew' Tibu Tibu seal is traded at 40,000 won.

Pok?mon bread, first released in 1998, was once so popular that monthly sales reached 5 million units. In particular, the Pok?mon Tibu Tibu seals inside the bread stimulated students' collecting desires at the time, but it was discontinued in 2006. Later, SPC Samlip re-released 'Pok?mon bread' on February 24 after about 16 years, and it continues to enjoy great popularity.

Japanese netizens are showing mocking reactions related to the boycott movement of Japanese products called 'No Japan.' Photo by Yahoo Japan screen capture.

In response to this craze, Japanese media are reacting by saying "No Japan is over." The Japanese economic media outlet 'Gendai Business' recently focused on the popularity of Pok?mon bread and reported, "Looking at the Pok?mon bread commotion, No Japan is already a thing of the past."

The outlet said, "In Korea, the Japanese animation 'Jujutsu Kaisen the Movie' recently ranked number one in audience numbers immediately after its release, gaining popularity," adding, "(Along with the popularity of Pok?mon bread) this proves the deep-rooted popularity of Japanese animation."

Meanwhile, the copyright for the Japanese animation 'Pok?mon' is held by the Japanese company 'The Pok?mon Company.' Because of this, it is reported that a considerable amount of copyright fees is paid to the Japanese company each time Pok?mon bread is purchased.

Japanese netizens have also shown sarcastic reactions to the Pok?mon bread craze. Netizens commented, "Wasn't it No Japan? No backbone," "Didn't you say you would boycott?" "When you said you wouldn't buy Japanese products, when was that? Why are you buying Pok?mon bread like this? I don't understand," and "Where did No Japan go? It's embarrassing."