Pocky (Japanese: ポッキー), pokkī is a snack food produced by the Ezaki Glico Company of Japan. The classic form of Pocky was first sold in 1965, under the name "Chocoteck", and consists of a biscuit stick coated with chocolate. Pocky was an instant hit among Japanese teenagers, and brought in sales of 30 billion Yen its first two years. The name was changed to "Pocky", after the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound Pocky makes when bit, "pokkin" (ポッキン). The original was followed by "Almond Pocky" in 1971, with an almond coating, and "Strawberry Pocky" in 1977. Today, the product line includes such variations as milk, mousse, and coconut flavored coatings, and themed products as "Deco Pocky", with colorful stripes in the coating, and "Men's Pocky", a bittersweet and "mature" version.

Pocky is as popular in Japan as M&M's candy is in the United States, and also has a significant presence in other East Asian countries such as China. In Europe, Pocky is renamed Mikado after the game Mikado. In the United States, Pocky can be found in Asian groceries and the international section of most large supermarkets.

Outside of Japan, Pocky is fairly popular among Japanophiles and anime fans. Its constant association with the Engrish phenomenon and the oddness of some of its versions (like the "Men's Pocky" bittersweet flavor), as well as the several Pocky parodies seen on many anime/manga series, contribute to the snack's reputation.

Several other brands, such as "Lucky", "Chocky", "Fran", and the Korean "Pepero" (빼빼로, bbaebbaero), are sold by competing companies.

"Pocky" is pronounced "pokey" (like "slow" or Gumby's horse). The pronunciation with a short o (pah-key) is technically incorrect, but common and usually accepted among English speakers.

See also

• Pepero Day

External links

• Official Pocky website (Japanese)
• Pocky at glico.co.jp (Japanese)
• Glico's global business
• Big in Japan: Pocky
• American Pocky fan website