Lazy Gudetama generates excitement despite himself

If you don’t like eating eggs, there may be another way to appreciate one. Visit a Sanrio store and look for the lazy egg Gudetama, which you can identify by his yellow yolk body and dissatisfied expression.

Unmotivated and depressive, Gudetama is literally a sleeper hit for Sanrio, the Japanese character factory that brought us Hello Kitty. Sleeper because the egg was never top contender at Sanrio, yet it somehow managed to gain a huge following — and because Gudetama’s favorite pastime is, well, if not sleeping, then lounging.

The name Gudetama is actually a combo of the Japanese term “gude gude,” a descriptor of someone with no energy, and a reference to “tamago,” or egg.

While the million-dollar question might be why this apathetic character is so appealing, the only answer Sanrio needs is the ring of the cash register — and that’s been going gangbusters. Gudetama lovers can find countless ways to express their fandom. There are kitchen, bath and linen items, bags and trinkets, plus more.

Check out Sanrio stores for the latest Gudetama paraphernalia.

Also, Gudetama has his own YouTube channel.

— Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser

Shell is perfect home for tiny plant

As a symbol of spring, Easter, rebirth and all that jazz, can you do better than a young plant growing in an egg?

Do it yourself: Carefully crack the top of a raw egg, making an opening big enough to pour out the contents, rinse the shell, then fill it with potting soil and a tiny plant. Succulents work especially well and are cheap enough that you can replace it if you manage to kill your first one.

Place it in an egg cup or sake cup. They also stand nicely in a tiny pile of sand.

If the egg later breaks, you can plant the whole thing in a pot or in the ground — the shell will provide some starter nutrients.

The process is a little messy, so if you’d rather someone else do the work, Once Again Hawaii, a succulent nursery in Waimanalo, is selling a fancy version with the eggs wrapped in Japanese washi paper for $7 to $8 at the Windward Mall farmers market, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. Or call 389-6966 to pick up at the nursery.

Other sources:

>> Happy Koi Nursery in Wahiawa, 429-5798. Call to arrange a visit or wait until after Easter and stop by the nursery’s stall at the Pearlridge farmers market April 22 or the Spring Crafts and Food Expo on May 6 and 7 at Blaisdell Center. Cost is $5 to $6. The shells come from eggs laid by the owners’ backyard chickens.

>> Asagi Hatchery, 1830 Kanakanui St., Kalihi, 845-4522. Cost is $4.

— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser