Mugen Puchipuchi (∞(むげん)プチプチ, Infinite Bubble Wrap) is a Japanese bubble wrap keychain toy by Bandai. The term "puchipuchi" serves as a generic trademark for bubble wrap,[1] but is also onomatopoeia for the sound of bubbles being popped.[2]

The square-shaped toy has eight buttons that make a popping sound when pressed, and is designed to mimic the sensation of popping bubble wrap for an infinite number of times. It is made of a double-layer silicone rubber structure to create a similar feeling to bubble wrap.[3] It also plays a sound effect for every 100 pops; these sound effects include a “door chime”, “barking dog”, “fart”, and “sexy voice”. Bandai worked with the company behind Puchipuchi bubble wrap to create a design that is most realistic to real bubble wrap.[2]

Bandai has also created other keychain toys based on Mugen Puchipuchi, such as Puchi Moe, Mugen Edamame, and Mugen Periperi. The original Mugen Puchipuchi has also been marketed in Europe and North America as "Mugen Pop-Pop".

Puchi Moe edit

Puchi Moe is an anime-themed version of the original Mugen Puchipuchi. The random sound effects have been replaced by one of four anime characters' voices. The different types, each based on an anime character archetype, are a childhood friend, French maid, tsundere, and younger sister.[4]

Puchi Moe was created for the lucrative otaku market.[4] All four character voices are done by voice actress Rie Kugimiya.[5]

Mugen Edamame edit

Mugen Edamame (∞(むげん)エダマメ, Infinite Soybeans) has beans inside a pod that appears similar to edamame.[6] Squeezing the pod causes a bean to pop out, showing one of twelve faces, which are pre-set and randomly packaged. Unlike Mugen Puchipuchi, it does not play sounds when pushed.

Mugen Periperi edit

Mugen Periperi (∞(むげん)ペリペリ, Infinity Ripping) mimics the tear strip of a cardboard box that is ripped to open the box.[7] Mugen Periperi was made available on 22 November 2008.[8]

Ouchi de Mugen Puchi Puchi Wii edit

On 24 June 2008,[9] Bandai released a video game version for the Nintendo Wii via WiiWare.[10][11][12] The game's title, Ouchi de Mugen Puchi Puchi Wii (おうちで∞プチプチWii), roughly translates to "In-Your-Home Infinite Bubble Wrap Wii".

References edit

  1. ^ "Kawakami Sangyo Co.,ltd". www.putiputi.co.jp. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  2. ^ a b Keferl, Michael (2007-06-24). "Puchipuchi Virtual Bubble Wrap toy from Bandai Asovision". Archived from the original on 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  3. ^ ""∞ (Infinite) PuchiPuchi Virtual Bubble Wrap" Keychain Toys a Major Hit with Over 2 Million Sold - DigInfo TV". 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  4. ^ a b Keferl, Michael (2008-02-08). "Puchi Moe brings anime love to virtual bubblewrap". Shift East. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  5. ^ "Bandai's Bubble-Wrap-Popping Keychain: Now with Moe". Anime News Network. 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  6. ^ Japan close-up. Volume 13. PHP International. Indiana University. 2008.
  7. ^ Keferl, Michael (2008-10-06). "Mugen Peri Peri opens boxes forever without papercuts". Shift East. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  8. ^ Mugen PeriPeri official site
  9. ^ Fletcher, JC. Namco Bandai pops in with more Mugen Puchi Puchi screens. Joystiq. 21 April 2008.
  10. ^ Fletcher, JC. Mugen Puchi Puchi trailer is wraptastic. Joystiq. 31 May 2008.
  11. ^ Yip, Spencer. Manage stress with Ouchi de Mugen Puchi Puchi Wii. Siliconera. 24 June 2008.
  12. ^ "バンダイナムコ、Wiiウェア「おうちで∞プチプチWii」。同社グループの玩具「∞プチプチ」を題材とした癒し系ゲーム" (in Japanese). Impress Watch Corporation. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2013-03-10.

External links edit