I had my first taste of Ramune at an anime convention five years ago, where my inexperienced hands caused half of the drink to shoot out of the bottle and onto the floor (my opening ritual has since been perfected). The flavor of ramune hit my tongue with a kick of super sweet, exotic fruit flavor with a semi-flatness carbonation that I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, I was more keen on finding out “what the heck did I just drink?”

The bottle design is what everyone notices first; the marble and the odd bubble shape of the bottle. Opening it up for the first time can be a bit frustrating and a little bit humiliating for the first timer. Just peel off the plastic wrap, unsnap the green cap/opener. and just slowly press on the top of the opener cap while increasing pressure until the marble slowly gives way until you feel the marble pop and clink to the bottom of the neck.

Ramune tastes like ramune. There is no other way to describe it with my american tastes. Super sugary with a sharp sweetness that overpowers you and leaves your mouth with little after taste. From which your taste buds beg for another sip. You have to be careful to drink it slow. not only are the bottles small (and they go fast), but chug it too quickly and you’ll soon be on the floor with one hell of a sugar bombed out mind.

It no longer has that otaku caché that it once had, any large supermarket in the USA stocks it now. It can be enjoyed at any time, rather than be an “anime convention” only treat.

Its flavor may not be for everyone (it is an acquired taste). I can’t drink this stuff every day or even once a month, but there are times when only a ramune will hit the spot for me.