Surely there were more than a couple of speechless guys after Epoch launched its new gadget, called the Endless Banana. Indeed, there are rather few people who can instantly come back to their senses after being exposed to this strikingly weird contraption: we're talking about a small, pocket-sized toy resembling a banana, which you can endlessly peel over and over again. And here is where things end abruptly: why on Earth would somebody be looking for such a thing? Is peeling a banana the next trend in pocket toys? Has Tamagochi been killed? PSP is no more? What's wrong with them, all of a sudden?

Now, Japan is a place where strange things happen and even stranger things are being made, so the Endless Banana should not be looked at with such amazed eyes.

Yet, we've tried to understand what's behind the very gadget, and why these things are invading the world. It seems that eating one or more bananas for breakfast has become a very strong movement in Japan during the last period. This amazing trend came from a bestselling book (sold in more than 700,000 copies) stating that the “morning banana diet” can help you lose some kilos fast. And fast has this habit spread across the country: 102 million tons’ worth of bananas are being imported annually in the country; supermarkets are making efforts to keep the stocks up and it looks like things aren't going to stop too soon.

The Endless Banana simulates the action of peeling a banana AND makes the proper sound: the famous Japanese actress Saki Fujita has been chosen to record this sound just to make sure that the toy will be most welcomed by the market. Don't even dare ask why one needs a human person imitating the sound of peeling a banana, because this is way beyond our area of expertise.

Is there any chance that bananas become the next social drug? Will peeling bananas replace smoking? Will we see campaigns offering help to those who want to quit peeling bananas but can't get through with it by themselves?


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