- Source: Kinoko no yama vs Takenoko no sato
Kinoko vs Takenoko（Kinoko-Takenoko sensō) is a debate between consumers over which one of Kinoko no" target="_blank">no yama, Takenoko no" target="_blank">no sato both made by Meiji Co. is better. This trend of comparing the two products began from the 1980s and has become an Internet meme in the 21st century. Meiji has held several votes to decide which chocolate is better, with Takenoko no" target="_blank">no sato winning most of the votes. According to a survey by Meiji Co, older generations tend to prefer Kinoko no" target="_blank">no yama.
Background
In 1975, Meiji Co. released Kinoko no" target="_blank">no sato using some of the production lines that was used for a different chocolate named Apollo. Meiji then released it's successor Takenoko no" target="_blank">no sato following the success of Kinoko no" target="_blank">no sato in 1979. Due to the similarity of the two products, minor conflicts started in 1980 comparing the products. Meiji Co. held a popularity contest across Japan following Kinoko no" target="_blank">no sato's drop in sales in 2001. In the first contest, Takenoko no" target="_blank">no sato won, and the sales of both chocolates increased.
Viral spread
With the spread of Internet, both sides began Boating each other's sides on Social network platforms such as Twitter. Several athletes and celebrities, such as Saori Yoshida took part by supporting a side. Internet users developed lores and spread images of opposing chocolates destroyed, with the question of which of the two chocolates a Japanese prefers being joked as a "forbidden question".
Results of votes
Non-official voting events are excluded.