Nintendo's Kirby-themed cafés open in Japan

Nintendo has opened a series of Kirby cafés and shops in Japan that bring one of their most iconic characters to life.

Fans of the ridiculously cute pink puffball that eats his enemies for lunch can tuck into a stack of Kirby pancakes, Popstar curry, Maxim Tomato pasta, and Kirby macarons in Osaka and Tokyo this month.

Foods are shaped like the characters and given faces, while the shop merchandise includes everything from Kirby coffee mugs, coasters, iPhone cases, clothing and inflatable travel pillows.

The Tokyo opening of the Kirby Café is set for August 26 and follows on the launch of an Osaka location which opened August 5 and closes on September 4.

A location in Nagoya only selling Kirby merchandise will open between August 24 and September 4.

Kirby is the latest Nintendo character to be given an edible tribute. To mark Super Mario's 30th birthday last summer, Nintendo opened a series of themed cafés across Tokyo with Tower Records serving up pixelated, Mario-themed coffees and star-shaped omelets.

That summer also saw the opening of a My Little Pony café in Tokyo.