Ramen Trend, But Make It 2025.

Is he a he, or is she a she?

Sometimes, it’s good to have AI to ask those difficult questions.

Known for his cross-dressing persona and sharp wit, Matsuko is one of Japan’s most recognisable media figures. He says what everyone wants to, but can’t.
Because normal Japanese aren’t cross-dressers getting paid to be edgy on television.

My wife has been watching his show マツコの知らない世界 (“The World Unknown to Matsuko”) since forever. They invite everyday people, not celebrities, to share their hyper-specific passions. We’re talking everything from unusual vending machines to obscure stationery, weird snacks, train seat designs, and even escalator architecture. He is sometimes surprised, usually sceptical, and more than often sympathetic about their niche.

Easter egg: the show has a ‘transition’ that mimics a DVD selection menu, which I doubt younger viewers would understand.

Anyway, Japanese TV shows are nothing but a big infomercial snake eating its tail. They inject subliminal messages, unrealistic expectations, neo-capitalist consumerism mixed with communi- what’s that?

Wife: Look, the new episode is about ramen.

Hold on a sec BRB

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Translated from TBS website:

The World of the Ultimate Ramen Noodles

Hiroyuki Fujino, who shared his love for ramen last year in “The World of Shio Ramen,” makes his second appearance!

This time, the focus is on noodles, as he introduces the unique commitments of various ramen shops. Men who pour their passion into creating one-of-a-kind handmade noodles...

This is a gathering of the ultimate noodles of the Reiwa era, where the noodles are the star of the show—attracting huge lines of eager customers!

I don’t have time to translate the full hour show for you, but the lowdown: