Japanese anime is a big hit all over the world. Lately, a new one has been climbing the rankings. Have you heard of Pop Team Epic?

Pop Team Epic (Poptepipic) is a digital manga series that uses punchy images and snappy phrases. It has become increasingly popular as a surreal visual gag manga. Now, it’s not only turning into a big hit in Japan, but all over the world!

 

We heard that Harajuku’s dessert café Sweets Paradise is opening a collaboration café with Pop Team Epic, and as big anime fans ourselves, we immediately set off with MOSHI MOSHI BOX staff member Ruki to check it out.

 

To get there, exit Harajuku station (JR Yamanote line) from Takeshita exit and walk straight. On your left, you will notice the shopping centre SoLaDo Takeshita Street (SoLaDo竹下通り) . You will find “Sweets Paradise on the 3^rd floor.

 

To eat at Sweets Paradise, first you need to purchase a ticket from the machine at the entrance and then enter the café.

There are two courses available:

1 collaboration meal + drink + sweets banquet set ¥1950 (price including tax)

1 collaboration dessert + drink + sweets banquet set ¥2150 (price including tax)

 

You can also add foods and drinks from the Pop Team Epic collaboration menu to your chosen meal plan for ￥500. To do this, buy the appropriate ticket from the machine at the entrance.

 

There are Pop Team Epic decorations all around the café!

 

There is even a small set where you can destroy the Takeshobo publishing office, which comes up in the manga!

 

There are two types of seats inside the café: “anti-sama/ Takeshobo company employee seats” and the “believers’ seats” . The “anti-sama” tables are decorated very simply. In contrast, the “believers’” tables are draped with beautiful table cloths and are near a large screen that is showing episodes from the Pop Team Epic anime.

 

Being slightly peckish, Ruki did not waste time in scooping up the menu. This dish is called “Aaaaah ichimen no Kusomidori Pasta” （Aaahh a plate of gross green pasta）. The random words of countryside-raised Pop Team Epic character Popuko, has been made into a pasta dish.

 

Ruki: “Spinach, edamame and broccoli – this truly is a green dish! The basil sauce is very simple yet delicious! Is this the true taste of nature?!

 

This is the “Konna kao ni naru lemon Juice” (Lemon juice that makes you pull this face). Although a bold move, half the lemon is cut and placed as it is in the glass. Whatever the menu, the names of the foods are crazy! Just what you would expect from Pop Team Epic.

 

Riku’s reaction to the sour drink was predicted by the name of the drink!

 

This is the “Haken Parfait” (Hegemony parfait) You can even order one that is the size of Ruki’s head! This is one filling dessert! The word “覇権” (hegemony) is written on a macaron that sits on top of a pile of fruits and strawberry sherbet. At the foot of the parfait lies a wafer with a picture of a ladder on it.

 

The parfait is an original art piece that depicts a ladder which leads to the top of the parfait to have been toppled over. After looking up the word “覇権” and realizing its meaning, Ruki laughed a lot.

 

The last item Ruki ordered arrived. The Imi ga wakarimasu ka? Café latte. (Do you know what this means? Café latte) As you can imagine, it was quite difficult to say this name to the waiters and waitresses when ordering. There’s a pie chart drawn on the latte, but 90% of it is filled in with the answer “no”.

 

Ruki: It goes well with the desserts because it isn’t sweet!

 

If you order from the collaboration menu, you will receive a novelty 2019 New Year’s card… even though we have just started 2018…

 

 

Pop Team Epic goods are also selling at the cash register! The variety of goods stretched from stickers, keyrings and manga to toilet paper with scenes from the manga printed on it!

 

The café is only open until 13^th March. Opening times vary depending on the café, so make sure you check the opening times before turning up. Don’t miss out on your chance to eat at the Pop Team Epic collaboration café because the manga is becoming more and more popular!

 

Check out this link for more information:

https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/89750

 

 

 

The third run of the Pop Team Epic Pop-Up Shop is set to take place on the 7th floor of the Ikebukuro PARCO main building from March 29 to April 15.   The pop-up shop first opened in December 2016 and the second last year. This year's shop is undergoing a big renewal with lots of limited edition and exclusive merchandise drawn by the series creator and illustrator Bkub Okawa.   Presents will be given to those who spend a certain amount, and there will also be an array of events to get involved with outside of shopping. Don't miss out!

Pop Team Epic is set to collaborate with Sanrio's cast of characters at a limited time themed cafe at Dining Park Ikebukuro which is located on the 8th floor of Seibu Ikebukro. It will run from February 7, 2019 to April 14, 2019.   Pop Team Epic is a four-panel surreal comedy manga written and illustrated by Bkub Okawa. It received a 12-episode series which received much love outside of Japan making it onto Crunchyroll and even Toonami in the US.   Witness Popuko and Pipimi join hands with Hello Kitty, Pompompurin and other Sanrio characters with a line-up of inspired food, desserts, drinks and exclusive merchandise.

Badtz-Maru VS Popuko Noodles: ¥1,490 (Before Tax)

Enjoy a hearty bowl of noodles topped with a soft boiled egg Popuko that's served with a spicy black sesame tan tan soup made to look like Badtz-Maru. It may look funny but the flavour combinations of the egg and soup make for a delicious meal.

Popuko & Pipimi's Hello Kitty Burger Set: ¥1,590 (Before Tax)

Popuko and Pipimi are looking adorable in their Hello Kitty buns. Popuko is made from galantine style meat and a wrapped in a lightly fried egg while Pipimi is made of mashed potato.

Tabo & Popuko Mapo: ¥1,290 (Before Tax)

This spicy mapo tofu is topped with a giant Tabo rice ball (which contains a meatball) and another soft boiled egg Popuko. They seem to be getting on pretty well!

Pompompurin & Pipimi Mascarpone Pancakes: ¥1,390 (Before Tax)

In this dish Pipimi's face is made from sweet boiled corn. It comes with pancakes packed with berries and Pompompurin custard cream sauce.

Kuromi Pipimi & Popuko Black Purin Crepe: ¥1,190 (Before Tax)

Pipimi has transformed into Kuromi from the Sanrio cast. She is made from a black coffee flavoured purin. Popuko is also dressed as My Melody. The dessert comes with berry sauce, chocolate whipped cream and a crepe.

Fish Paste Cake Drink (3 Types): ¥890 Each (Before Tax)

These 3 drinks drink come with a tube-shaped fish-paste cake straw and a wafer cake that has Popuko, Kiki and Lala illustrated on it.

Swirling Cinnamon Hot Chocolate: ¥890 (Before Tax)

Enjoy stirring your hot chocolate Popuko with a whole stick of cinnamon. You'll want to whip out your phone and get it on video.

T-Shirts (4 Designs): ¥2,800 Each (Before Tax)

Acrylic Key Rings (9 Designs): ¥500 Each (Before Tax)

There's a bunch of exclusive collaborative merch to grab too! Also, when you order food, you'll get a free lunch mat and postcard, and when you order a drink you'll get a coaster. These are limited in stock so make sure you visit early so you get them!