Balancing Sasuke
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About
Balancing Sasuke, a.k.a. "Evil God Sasuke" (邪神佐助), is a participatory photo meme stemming from a McDonald's Happy Meal action figure released in Taiwan and Japan sometime in July of 2010. Based on the anime character Sasuke Uchiha from popular manga series Naruto, the toy figurine has a lever attachment on its back that allows it to perform single back-flips.
Origin
The figurines of Sasuke and Naruto were first released sometime in July 2010 as McDonald's Happy Meal toys in Japan and Taiwan. Even though issued as a simple bend-and-flip toy, Balancing Sasuke has gained its recognition not because of its ability to perform flips, but because of its amazing ability to successfully balance numerous large and heavy objects upon his head (and vise versa). For the notorious quality of its appearance, Sasuke toy soon gained the nickname "邪神佐助" (literally translated as "Evil God Sasuke") in Taiwan.
On July 21, 2010, Jorsindo forum user, tarly110 posted a thread about his Happy Meal toy review.
As to why I called him an Evil God ….
Carefully look at its face for ten seconds. Look into my eyes!!
….. So scary XD
No matter what, nothing is comparable to Sasuke's countenance…
Look at this unique coating XD
Despite the poor quality of the figure, Sasuke's balancing act never ceases to amaze. tarly110 provided images of Sasuke balancing objects from house hold appliances to motorcycles. Possibilities seemed endless.
Spread
Netizens flocked to McDonald's and purchased Happy Meals in order to get their hands on Balancing Sasuke. Shortly after the hidden skill was made known via forum boards and blog posts, Taiwan's media finally took notice and reported about the questionable balancing ability.
The Apple Daily interviewed tarly110 about his thread, which started the fame of Balancing Sasuke. In his interview, a Taiwanese University professor explains the physics behind it all.
