I was watching Free! for the first time and then this scene came on. "Wait did that can say what I thought it did?" Yes... yes it does. Pocket Sweat. Not Sweet and not Pocky... Pocket Sweat... doesn't that sound just lovely?

Time for some fun anime/ Japanese products facts! The drink appearing in this anime is actually a parody of a real drink called Pocari Sweat. Still doesn't sound appetizing, right? Well in the same machine are two drinks that are coffee or coffee flavored so it's best to guess that maybe Pocket Sweat is an energy drink or sports drink of some sort. And you know what? You'd be correct. Pocari Sweat is in fact a sports drink. A popular one at that. Pocari Sweat is a mild-tasting, relatively light, non-carbonated sweet beverage and is advertised as an "ion supply drink". It has a mild grapefruit flavor with little aftertaste. While the "sweat" in the name doesn't mean that's what the drink IS instead it's what it's FOR! To restore nutrients and electrolytes lost during sweating. "Pocari" in the name actually doesn't have any meaning though. It was chosen for its light and bright sound. I'm guessing for the anime "Pocket" was the next best thing.

Image is a screen shot from Episode 7 of the anime FREE!


Side note: I can remember reading that in western cultures it's popular to put images of what the product is on the cover to show consumers what it is while in eastern cultures it's more popular to put images on products according to how they want consumers to feel about the product. But with some products losing interest from those over seas many products are slowly adopting the western format. Unlike commercials which still cater to emotions more then telling you about the product which can make westerners scratch their heads when a dancing dog trying to hook it's owner up with a girl is a basis for a commercial about potato chips. XD Or a giant kappa chases kids around and when he catches them offers them gummy candy and everyone is now suddenly friends. Even though that Kappa totally looks like a pedo.. or a mass murder. Which ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPegBgq1iIY