Youâd be hard-pressed to find a situation in which Iâd eat a charcoal black burger. And Iâm not simply referring to a well done, burnt to a crisp pattyâI could get behind that, I guessâIâm talking bun, toppings, the whole shebang. Put such a burger in front of my face and I’m liable to leave the table. Unless, of course, it’s the official hamburger of Studio Ghibli. In that case, yeah Iâd dine.
Meet the Makkuro Burger, or âPitch Blackâ Burger, a hamburger whose toppings are blackened by bamboo charcoal. The sandwich is named after the Makkuro Kurosuke (soot sprites) found in several Studio Ghibli films, most notably Miyazakiâs classic, My Neighbor Totoro.
From July 7 â September 11, Tokyoâs aptly named observation deck, Tokyo City View, will host a Studio Ghibli art exhibit, and the collaboration has inspired the venueâs restaurant to serve Ghibli appropriate fare. In addition to this questionable looking burger, the menu will also include the poached eggs on toast featured in Castle in the Skyâas Kotaku reports.
The menu is just the latest effort aimed at fans of the beloved animation house. In May, Japanâs Studio Ghibli Museum announced the âRide the Catbus to the Ghibli Woodsâ exhibit, offering would-be passengers of all sizes the opportunity to board that indelible Totoro feline. Additionally, thereâs a VR Studio Ghibli experience, a forthcoming 2D Platformer, and a Castle in the Sky theme park.
The merger of our world and that of the magical Studio Ghibli is almost complete, and now you can even eat its food. But would you throw back one of these pitch black burgers? What if you were aboard the Catbus? Let us know in the comments below.
IMAGES: Natalie