Since it came out in 2006 the cartoon series Usavitch has done nothing but become more and more popular. Walking through Akihabara I ran into Putin (the main character) hanging out in front of a shop filled with Usavitch paraphernalia, and surrounded by hordes of fans. For the priviledge of getting a photo with him however, you were first required to buy some of the tacky stuff from the shop. I bought an Usavitch t-shirt for Kumi, but by the time I came back out he was already gone.

Usavitch is a series of short animated cartoons produced by MTV Japan and first aired in 2006. Each episode is only 90 seconds, and there are 13 episodes per 'season'. Currently season 3 is running. The story centers around two rabbits in a Soviet prison, Putin and Kirenenko. Despite the rather gloomy backdrop, it is very upbeat and surreal. Minor characters include a frog who lives in the toilet and a transvestite baby chicken...

Regardless of the fact that the humour is very juvenile, it is strangely hard to stop watching it once you start. There is almost no dialogue at all. Instead, communication is done through facial expressions, gasps, and some funky music.

If you haven't seen it yet I recommend you watch the first season here.

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