Live Anisakis Parasite Pen: Japan’s Viral Souvenir

A transparent ballpoint pen containing live Anisakis parasites has gone viral internationally, sparking comparisons to the fictional Umbrella Corporation from the Resident Evil series. The novelty item is a real souvenir sold by Tada Suisan, a fishmonger’s shop in Susaki city, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. The pen’s clear barrel holds living Anisakis worms suspended in liquid—the same parasite that can cause food poisoning if ingested through raw or undercooked fish.

Origin and Production

The idea originated from a 2021 social media post by user FUNA84, who placed Anisakis extracted from his own stomach into ballpoint pens. Company president Takuhiro Tada was inspired by the post and began making the pens for fun. After an overwhelmingly positive reaction, he decided to sell them at the store. The parasites are sourced from caught skipjack (bonito), so weekly production depends on the catch. “Sometimes we make about 20 pens a day, while at other times we might not make any for a week,” Tada explained.

Viral Surge and Pop‑Culture Appeal

Though the pens first drew attention in Japan in 2024, they recently gained massive traction overseas—particularly among Resident Evil fans, who joked that the item looked like an “Umbrella Corporation 5-year work anniversary present.” Even Resident Evil’s European Community and Social Media Manager remarked that the pen sounds like something from an ominous in‑game diary entry.

Ethical Debate and Company Response

Resident Evil: Requiem

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