In what may be a first, a regional variety of rice, Akitakomachi, as well as local strawberries, have had their packaging illustrated by talented female eroge artist, 西又葵 / Aoi Nishimata (Final Approach, Shuffle!, etc.), with the above tasteful illustration now gracing the rice packaging.
The ita-rice goes on sale at the end of September, and is available in 2 and 5kg packs (details). The actual illustrated part is the box. Prices are yet unannounced, though it is likely expensive.
The CG artist providing the agricultural mascots has a number of titles to her name (she works at Navel), though her style seems a little staid, if well enough executed.
Interesting to see what kind of effect this has on sales. The birth of otaku rice?
I don’t like Aoi Nishimata, for some reason her characters look blocky,awkward, and half asleep.But, I have to admit that she’s pretty good at coloring, hopefully the rice’ll sell well.