Giga Pudding is a Japanese ritual-dessert that invokes the spirits of fallen enemies, feasting on them in their defeat. It is prepared over the holiday season, and is traditionally preceeded by a two-day fast to ready the body for the bounty. Care is taken to shutter all windows and doors, and then the eldest of the family opens the packet and begins stirring in three teaspoons of water. The mixing duty is shared with the family, oldest to youngest, in turn. From the time it begins, the stirring will not cease until the Giga Pudding sets twelve hours later, when the lid is affixed to the container. (Each 2.5oz Giga Pudding packet will expand to the size of its container, regardless of the dimensions of its bounds. It is important to always make the pudding in a LIDDED container.) It is then left in a dark room (typically a closet or bathroom) with a single white candle until daybreak, symbolizing the family's desire to light even the darkest parts of their lives. It is guarded throughout the night by the youngest child in the family, who stays up while the rest of the family sleeps. The youngest is given a noisemaker or "Puddi Puddi" to raise the alarm if necessary (if the pudding has not been correctly stirred for the preceding 12 hours, it will continue to expand, flooding the room).
The next morning the family wakes wearing colorful masks and garb to "scare" the pudding into granting their wishes. The family throws open the door to the pudding room and shouts "Gōsutobokkusu mahō ni iku!" or "Give us our wishes or we will consume you!" Regardless of the pudding's response, the family feasts on the pudding, gorging itself. The family member that eats the most pudding is called the "Shibō no," or "lucky one," who is guaranteed their wishes.
