(This was written by our intern, Jo Mercado)
The latest contribution to the ongoing trend of personifying food brands as anime characters has tackled the corner-store staple: chips. Digital artist Nicko Tumamak, who goes by the online moniker ‘NEKOKONUT’, posted his series of snacks reimagined as humans to Facebook in his album ‘chichirya boiiz’.
And the ‘boiiz’ look good. Jack n’ Jill’s Mr. Chips is a laid-back yuppie whose colors perfectly match the original packaging. The Nova guy has solid multigrain chip hair set to give Justin Timberlake’s instant noodles a run for his money. True to form, the Oishi Prawn Crackers and Jack n’ Jill Tostillas boys wear kimonos and ponchos respectively. And, naturally, all their brows are on fleek.
NEKOKONUT’s drawings follow in the footsteps of digital artist ProfessorSugoi, who created the ‘smug Wendy’ that practically started it all.
Fast food titan Wendy’s notoriously snarky Twitter profile, operated by Amy Brown, established the brand’s attitude as a shady HBIC who is not here for your crap, KFC. After some pretty legendary tweets (Wendy’s once roasted a guy for accusing them of lying about not using frozen beef patties while simultaneously throwing shade at McDonald’s. Iconic) ProfessorSugoi’s drawings gives a body to the character.
Fan art of other fast food brands such as KFC, Burger King and McDonald’s quickly followed suit. Which is kinda ironic since all these brands, yknow, actually have human mascots…
If the online popularity of these illustrations are any indication, brands could do good for themselves by reaching out to these artists. God knows they need compensation for their work. If not, it’s fine, these characters make for the best imaginary TV series ensemble ever.
