"Rice Ball Babies" Might Be The Cutest Meme Japan Has Ever Created

There are few things in this world as adorable as a baby's face. Except maybe a baby's face being squished together to look like a rice ball. That's pretty freaking adorable, actually! And it's all the rage in Japan.

ちなみにうちの子全員このオニギリ大好き。 2歳にもなると恍惚の表情がわかるね（笑） pic.twitter.com/SyWe2MfmTx

— エハラマサヒロ (@eharamasahiro) June 18, 2015

"Rice ball babies" is the latest meme to take Japan by storm. Comedian Masahiro Ehara started the trend when he posted a series of tweets with him squishing his kids’ faces in the shape of a rice ball back in June.

オニギリの作り方動画。 #cookpad #両手は添えるだけですよ #安西先生 #パパに付き合ってくれてる感 #手がゴツくてカッコいい

A video posted by エハラマサヒロ (@eharamasahiro) on Jun 24, 2015 at 9:08pm PDT

Naturally, the super-cute photos and videos of his children's "rice ball baby" faces went viral. And now everyone in Japan is posting photos on Twitter with their tots' mugs squished together. Of course, some of the best photos include babies who are throwing some major side-eye at their parents and just not feeling it.

#赤ちゃんおにぎりpic.twitter.com/jrW4gT9tnA

— Toshiya Matsumoto (@tmcc) July 13, 2015

赤ちゃんおにぎりの軌跡 #赤ちゃんおにぎりpic.twitter.com/O9Mo5J7s3V

— ふな子 (@funaaa_ym) July 12, 2015

Some people started doing the "rice ball baby" face to themselves and their friends. Because it's so attractive. Unfortunately, it doesn't have quite the same cute effect when adults do it.

@eharamasahiroかくれももじりここにもいました！🍑可愛いですか？ pic.twitter.com/wLMy9IjqSg

— しおり〜ん (@piyoooooonn08) June 25, 2015

#赤ちゃんおにぎり#どれが誰でしょうpic.twitter.com/Gv4XAOKqjf

— ❥❥ r i h o (@briK3Rs) December 2, 2015

Cat and dog faces: also perfectly squishable.

赤ちゃんおにぎり画像が はやっているようなので 我が家のおにぎりをドン❗️ #赤ちゃんおにぎりpic.twitter.com/8EYCkGxuL4

— ERI (@ericri0601) July 12, 2015

@eharamasahiroうちにも同じのいる！！！😂 pic.twitter.com/cn0SRxAqJS

— 無限の胃袋つか(20) (@tamako_0105) June 20, 2015

But, ultimately, the babies' squished little faces are the best, right? Just one question: How did the U.S. miss out on this trend for so long? And whose face do you have to squish to join?

むぎゅー pic.twitter.com/i1FbWpp3Pn

— エハラマサヒロ (@eharamasahiro) June 18, 2015

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