The Challenge that Changed this Japanese Man's Life Forever

Summary

Manad, a Japanese man, embarks on an unexpected challenge: eating at the same fast food restaurant every single day, funded by internet users. Initially aiming to get a Nintendo Switch, he leverages a referral program and quickly gains a following. His challenge takes on a life of its own as he eats at Skia for years, surviving on a balance funded by his followers. Despite ups and downs, including fatigue, media attention, and viral recognition, Manad keeps going. Over time, his challenge becomes a sensation, with unexpected support keeping him going for well over 1,000 days, all because he wanted a Switch.

Takeaways

• 😀 Manad, a Japanese man, gained fame by eating at a Japanese fast food chain, Skia, every day in an ongoing challenge to eat until his referral points ran out.
• 😀 The challenge started in 2019 when Manad, a former pro gamer, wanted a Nintendo Switch and used a referral app to get points to spend at Skia.
• 😀 Manad's challenge quickly went viral, and he became a Twitter sensation, appearing on TV and in the news, but his points balance kept growing unexpectedly.
• 😀 The fast food chain Skia serves beef bowls, a common and cheap meal in Japan, consisting of beef, onions, rice, and sauces. Manad chose it due to its proximity to his home.
• 😀 Manad initially enjoyed his success, but the challenge became harder as the referral bonuses decreased and his points grew slower over time.
• 😀 By day 365, Manad was recognized by Skia’s official Twitter, but his point balance started to dwindle, and his dedication was being tested.
• 😀 Despite periods of doubt and a falling balance, Manad kept going, celebrating day milestones, including a special recognition on day 500 by Skia's Twitter.
• 😀 On day 1000, Manad's challenge was celebrated by fans, with media coverage, a website, and even a collaboration with a popular Japanese YouTuber, Hajim Shacho.
• 😀 As of day 1120, Manad's story had become even more popular, with his challenge keeping him locked in for at least another few years of daily Skia meals.
• 😀 Manad’s health and challenges with motivation were ongoing concerns, but he embraced the challenge as a long-term goal, never imagining it would go on for years, all because he wanted a Nintendo Switch.

Q & A

What inspired Manad to start his challenge of eating at Skia every day?

Manad's challenge started when he wanted a Nintendo Switch. His friend informed him about an app called Meduka, which offered referral bonuses. Manad used this to refer his Twitter followers in exchange for points, which he then spent on meals at Skia.

How did Manad's challenge gain popularity?

Manad's challenge went viral after he posted a tweet explaining his plan. As the challenge continued, media coverage increased, leading to more sign-ups, and Manad's story gained attention on Twitter and TV.

What is Skia, and why did Manad choose it for his challenge?

Skia is a popular Japanese fast food chain that serves beef bowls. Manad chose Skia because it was his favorite and the closest fast food restaurant to his apartment.

What was Manad's initial reaction when his point balance started increasing unexpectedly?

Manad was surprised and confused when his point balance continued to increase, even after he used the points. He wondered why this was happening, particularly when no new sign-ups were occurring.

How did Manad cope during the most difficult periods of his challenge?

Around the 2-3 month mark, Manad struggled with boredom and started making his meals worse on purpose to speed up the process. However, his points continued to increase, keeping the challenge alive.

What major event caused Manad's point balance to surge around day 137?

An article was written about Manad, which led to a surge in sign-ups. This caused his point balance to double overnight, giving him one of the highest point balances he had ever seen.

How did Manad react to his point balance decreasing after the referral bonus was reduced?

Manad was discouraged when the referral bonus was halved, and his point balance began to decrease faster than before. It made the challenge feel more difficult and less exciting.

What milestone did Manad celebrate on day 365, and how did it impact his challenge?

On day 365, Manad celebrated completing one full year of eating at Skia. The official Skia Twitter account recognized his dedication, which boosted his visibility and kept the challenge going for another year.

What role did the media play in sustaining Manad's challenge?

The media played a crucial role by writing articles and featuring Manad on TV. This exposure resulted in a steady stream of new sign-ups, which kept his point balance from running out and prolonged the challenge.

How did Manad feel about the possibility of continuing his challenge for 10 more years?

Manad mentioned that he didn't foresee the challenge lasting this long when he started, but he was committed to challenges and had the mindset of persevering, regardless of how long it took.