Headlines

“Stranger Things” Café Takes Tokyo to the Upside Down

Popular Japanese chain Pronto extends the run of its café themed after Netflix’s hit show

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2022

VMSD Staff

“Stranger Things” Café Takes Tokyo to the Upside Down — Courtesy of Pronto

Courtesy of Pronto

Luckily, your pasta doesn’t come that way, but Netflix and Japanese eatery chain Pronto are turning things upside-down in Tokyo’s Shibuya district with a Pronto café themed on Netflix’s hit sci-fi series Stranger Things.

The homage to creepy-doings in the little town of Hawkins, Ind., includes replica sets and props, like a “Surfer Boy Pizza” van, interactive activities created by the Duffer brothers (creators and executive producers of the show) and a Stranger Things themed menu. Even Eleven’s cherished waffles make an appearance, along with the psychokinetic hero’s very first hamburger. For the hardcore fan, there’s even a roast beef platter that creepily resembles the Demogorgon, reports Japan Today.

The pop-up decor bedecked with Christmas lights to communicate with other worlds has been extended from its planned three-month appearance to publicize the fourth season of Stranger Things. Limited to 20 guests at a time, the demand for a night out with Will, Steve, Mike, Dustin and the rest of the gang, has grown in Tokyo, a destination where themed restaurants are reportedly popular. The Stranger Things theme will remain in place until the end of the year, reports TimeOut.

Owned in part by brewing and distilling giant Suntory Corp., Tokyo-based Pronto was established in 1988 and serves Japanese-style and Italian pasta. The chain does double duty as two businesses, operating as a café in the day and a bar with dining at night.

Embracing Whole-Brained Thinking in the Design Journey

Strategy needs creative, and creative needs strategy—yep, having both is really the only way of unifying all disciplines with a common vernacular with an eye toward building a strong creative vision that is foundational to the processes. Hear from Bevan Bloemendaal, former VP, Global Environments & Creative Services at Timberland, how to connect the dots between disciplines, claiming and creating a clear differentiation for the brand and ensuring that any asset (experience, product, ad, store, office, home, video, game) is created with intention.