Pocky

This time it's going to be a hybrid sort of post. Not only will it be a review of Pocky but also a rant. I give you Pocky, Japan's mainstream snack to the Western World.




Pocky: cream covered biscuit sticks. It comes in different flavors such as milk chocolate, strawberry, dark chocolate, and more.

What's so special about it? Nothing really. It's just a thin stick that has been dipped in chocolate. There really shouldn't be people this crazy about Pocky. Sure it's a good snack but there definitely not enough to give a satisfied feeling.

So why are people so crazy about it? Because it's from Japan. That is probably the most basic thing people can get behind, it's a Japanese snack that is not different from what they have had before while still being something foreign. Chocolate and crackers, how many people can say they have never had that before? This snack is probably the epitome of otakus and weeaboos (Westerners who are obsessed with Japan). Go to any site about Japan and they will usually have some sort of post on Pocky. Everyone will tell you how good it is, declaring their love for the snack.

Why so much hate? Simple, people are using a simple snack to be foil for their obsession with Japan. This snack is decent when looked by itself, bring in other components in and it becomes a bit clearer why I don't particularly like Pocky. It is expensive, for the amount you get it is simply not worth the price. And crackers dipped in chocolate? If that's not the most original idea ever then I'm not sure what is. Also mentioned earlier, it is not filling in the least, one box of Pocky probably is not going to fill anyone.

Why do you hate good things? I don't particularly hate Pocky, I just dislike what it has become and what it stands for. Pocky has become the ideal for those who wish to visit Japan yet cannot visit it. There are some good sides to Pocky such as it comes in a nice little box with packages so its easy to share and eat without being messy.

So then this is more of a rant on weeaboos? I suppose it is. It annoys me when people try to idolize a place when they know very little about the place. With the rise of anime and manga in places such as the U.S., it has increased people's awareness of Japan. Of course there are those that read and watch anime and manga and think they know everything about the place without fulling understanding the place. Taking one meager snack and elevating it to the level of a legendary food is what was done to Pocky.

I don't hate Pocky, in fact I can enjoy it once in a great while; I hate it for what people have made it into.