Pocari Sweat
956427
225937286
2008-07-16T02:46:39Z
C.Knarf
2926070
/* In culture */
[[Image:Pocari Sweat English.jpg|thumb|right|Pocari Sweat can]]
{{nihongo|'''Pocari Sweat'''|ポカリスエット}} is a popular Japanese [[soft drink]] and [[sports drink]], manufactured by [[Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.]]. It was first sold in [[1980]].
Pocari Sweat is a mild-tasting, relatively light sweet drink and advertises itself as an "Ion supply drink." Ingredients listed are [[water]], [[stevia]]
<ref>"http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3289/is_n4_v160/ai_10912301/pg_2 Japanese Beverage Market - Prepared Foods, March 15, 1991 by Shin Mitarai</ref> , flavourings, acids, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium lactate and magnesium carbonate. It is sold in liquid form, in [[aluminium can]]s and [[plastic]] bottles, and also in [[Powder (substance)|powder]] form.
The drink is also produced and distributed in other regional countries, such as [[China]], [[Hong Kong]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[Indonesia]], the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Oman]]. In addition the drink can be obtained in the ethnic Asian areas of many cities around the world. The "Arctic Shatter" variety of [[Powerade]]-brand [[sports drink]] very closely resembles it, in both color and flavor.
== Curious name ==
[[Image:Pocari sweat 500ml.jpg|thumb|right|Bottle Package]]
The reference to the bodily fluid resulting from [[perspiration]] in the name of the [[beverage]] tends to have a certain offputting or [[humour|humorous]] connotation for native English speakers. However, the name was chosen by the manufacturers originally for the purpose of marketing the product as a sports drink in Japan, where people generally do not mentally translate names appearing in English and are therefore not bothered by the connotation. It was largely derived from the notion of what it is intended to supply to the drinker: all of the nutrients and [[electrolytes]] lost when sweating (the first part of the name, Pocari, means "like a cloud floating in the sky" or "a situation in which a cloud is floating in the sky" in Japanese, and has a connotation of lightness, buoyancy, and ease). "Sweat" was apparently intended to suggest diligence and its fruits—the idea intending to connote to the user that Pocari Sweat works to make one feel fresh and relaxed. However, some Japanese apparently drop "Sweat" from the name in common usage. <ref>http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/mucci/mono/pocarie.htm Just 'Pocari' for short</ref>
== In culture ==
{{Trivia|date=June 2007}}
* The [[arcade game]] ''[[Golden Axe]]'' featured a parody of Pocari Sweat. In the ending sequence when the characters run through the town, a variety of parody shops can be seen in the background, most notably a large "Hokari Sweat" sign (It should be noted, though, that the Japanese katakana for {{nihongo|Po|ポ}} looks identical for the character {{nihongo|Ho|ホ}} except for the [[dakuten|dakuten]]).
* A sixpack of Pocari Sweat can be seen in the family kitchen in the movie ''[[Back to the Future Part II]]'' (set in the year 2015), humorously implying the drink has become a mainstream product in the United States.
* The [[manga]] ''[[Slam Dunk (manga)|Slam Dunk]]'' (by [[Takehiko Inoue]]) also features its characters drinking Pocari Sweat throughout the manga.
* Another manga, ''[[Crimson Hero]]'' (by [[Mitsuba Takanashi]]), features Nobara buying Pocari Sweat and sharing it with Tomoyo's ex-boyfriend, Haibuki.
* The members the [[high school]] track team featured the series ''[[Suzuka (manga)|Suzuka]]'' by [[Kouji Seo]] often drink Pocari Sweat during and after practice.
* The vice-captain in the manga ''[[Battle Club]]'' (by [[Yuji Shiozaki]]) is obsessed with Pocari and always has Tomako get it for her.
* In the cyberpunk novel ''[[Idoru]]'' (by [[William Gibson]]), the character Gomi Boy drinks Pocari Sweat. When the character Chia sees him drinking it, she wonders to herself what a Pocari is.
* Squarepusher used it as a pun during the Fujirock Festival at Niigata in 2001.
* In the seventh volume of the manga ''[[Wild Act]]'' by [[Rie Takada]], the main character Yuniko has a drink called "Poccari Sweet".
* Wu Zun from the Taiwanese drama version of ''Hana-Kimi'' drinks Pocari Sweat.
* In the final episode of the anime version of ''[[Lucky Star (manga)|Lucky Star]]'' (Episode 24), a bottle of Pocari Sweat is set on the stage before the dance rehearsal.
* In the anime version of ''[[Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge]]'', also known as ''[[The Wallflower]]'', the vending machine in episode 10 is shown to have "Poccari Sweet."
* Mentioned a few times throughout the many adventures of [[Billy Chaka]] (journalist for the popular magazine Youth in Asia).
* Players of the tennis team Seigaku in the manga [[The Prince of Tennis]] are shown drinking Pocari Sweat.
*Pocari Sweat was once featured in Nickelodeon Magazine, along with other foods from around the world.
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== See also ==
* [[Calpis]]
* [[Oronamin C Drink]]
* [[Engrish]]
* [[foreign branding]]
* [[Cloud Nine]] (a term which has some similar connotations in English to ''pocari'' in Japanese, except that the idea in English is more of joy than of relief or calmness)
== External links ==
* [http://www.otsuka.co.jp/product/pocarisweat/ Otsuka's Pocari Sweat Site]
* [http://www.waterlanders.com/ Pocari Sweat Site - The Waterlanders]
* [http://www.pocarisweat.hk/ Pocari Sweat (Hong Kong)]
* [http://pocarisweat.co.kr/ Pocari Sweat (Korean)]
* [http://www.pocarisweat.com.ph/ Pocari Sweat (Philippine English)]
{{Sports Drinks}}
[[Category:Sports drinks]]
[[Category:Soft drinks]]
[[Category:Japanese drinks]]
[[Category:1980 introductions]]
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