Toppo The World, Ma!

Trick'rTreat'n is tough in a country that puts up it's Christmas decorations in early October and the only Halloween goodies to be found have long been shelved. Fortunately, I grabbed a box of Toppo the other day. It's kind of the opposite of a Pocky such that the chocolate is on the inside and the pretzel on the outside. I like how the box comes as an impromptu Halloween card in case you're too cheap to buy one.

The first of today's Shigeru Mizuki creations is 百目 (Hyaku-Me or 100-Eyed Demon, not to be confused with 100-eyed Greek God, Argus). There are several pictures floating around the net and Hyakume does strike quite the pose.

Another creation of Mizuki was 悪魔くん or Akuma-Kun who had a 100-eyed sidekick. It ran for about a year from 1989年4月15日～1990年3月24日. Watch a bit of this to get a feel for the characters.

akuma-kun ep 1_1/4
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岩見の牛鬼 (Iwami no Ushi Oni) is a Demon Cow from Iwami-City (Shimane-Ken) and tends to prey on women who hang out at the seaside. For more details on Japan's other Ushi-Oni, be sure to go to the Obakemono Project (OP).

あまのじゃく (Amano Jack) who thanks to the aforementioned OP, I learned that his name means Wicked Demon of Heaven (the best I could decypher from the Japanese was that he's a perv.) As per that link, it's been known to slay and then wear the skin of its prey as in the story of 瓜子姫 or Uriko-Hime. This is a rather toned down version of the tale. I'd like to track down this book where Uriko-Hime comes out the winner in Tasty Baby Belly Buttons!

This wacky tune by Kokeshi Dolls is slightly creepy and is called Amano Jack!

I thought I'd show off some of my extensive GeGege gaggle of goods, starting with these little wobbly tops.