Have you heard of “Black Thunder,” the chocolate bar that boasts a massive following in Japan? Known for its overwhelmingly crunchy (“zaku-zaku”) texture, this national favorite is launching a large-scale collaboration with FamilyMart, one of Japan’s leading convenience stores (Konbini).
Starting Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a total of 11 limited-edition items will be released sequentially at approximately 16,400 stores across Japan. This initiative is part of FamilyMart’s “Delicious First” project leading up to its 45th anniversary. Notably, this campaign will bring “regional limited flavors”—usually only available in specific areas—to a nationwide audience.
The lineup recreates Black Thunder’s signature crunch across various categories, including desserts, bread, baked goods, and ice cream. Flavors inspired by tourist destinations like Hokkaido, Kyoto, and Osaka can now be found at your local convenience store. Furthermore, premium goods available exclusively online make this a truly “lightning-class” celebration.
Osaka’s Rich Flavor Goes National! The Impact of “Osaka Black Thunder”
The famous Osaka souvenir, known for its rich caramel flavor, has been transformed into a dessert.
Osaka Black Thunder: Crunchy Choco Cookie Sandwich (Caramel)
Last year’s hit cookie sandwich has evolved into a “Kote-kote” (a Japanese term for rich, punchy, and flavorful) Osaka-style treat.
- Price: 249 yen (Approx. $1.65 / 268 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (excluding Okinawa Prefecture)
This treat features a decadent combination of chocolate and caramel. The base cookie has a hard texture reminiscent of the original Black Thunder. With every bite, the mellow aroma of caramel fills your mouth.
Enjoy the Contrast! The Evolved Chocolate Crepe
A crepe that allows you to enjoy the contrasting textures of “chewy” and “crunchy” all at once.
Black Thunder Mochi-Zaku Chocolate Crepe
The dough recipe has been refined to enhance the contrast in texture even more than last year’s version.
- Price: 249 yen (Approx. $1.65 / 268 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide
Smooth chocolate whipped cream and crunchy cocoa crumbles are wrapped in a thin, chewy crepe skin. This item showcases the high quality of Japan’s uniquely evolved “Konbini sweets.”
Using High-Quality Hokkaido Milk! The White Cream Puff
Inspired by the classic Hokkaido souvenir “White Black Thunder,” this dessert is as visually striking as it is delicious.
White Black Thunder Cookie & Cream Chou à la Crème
The star of this treat is the vanilla cream made generously with milk from Hokkaido, Japan’s premier dairy region.
- Price: 221 yen (Approx. $1.46 / 238 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide
A rich vanilla cream is injected into a rugged cocoa cookie crust. The cream also contains crunch bits, ensuring the texture remains exciting until the very last bite.
Traditional Kyoto “Uji Matcha” Gateau Chocolat
A Japanese-Western fusion dessert based on the Kyoto-exclusive Matcha-flavored Black Thunder.
Kyoto Black Thunder: Uji Matcha Gateau Chocolat
This treat fuses the deep aroma of “Uji Matcha,” one of Japan’s most prestigious green teas, with the boldness of chocolate.
- Price: 239 yen (Approx. $1.58 / 258 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide
Cocoa crumbles are placed atop a moist gateau chocolat, finished with a rich matcha chocolate sauce. The initial crunch is followed by the sophisticated, bitter lingering notes of matcha—a perfect dessert for adults.
A Strong Bakery Lineup! Melon Pan and Donuts
The “Melon Pan” (a sweet bread covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie dough), a staple of Japanese bakeries, also gets a Black Thunder makeover.
Black Thunder Melon Pan
The traditional texture of Melon Pan has been reimagined using the signature crunch of Black Thunder.
- Price: 184 yen (Approx. $1.22 / 198 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (excluding Okinawa Prefecture)
The bread is filled with chocolate cream, generously topped with biscuits, and coated in chocolate. The texture is far harder than a standard Melon Pan, offering a surprising and satisfying bite.
Pink Black Thunder Cookie Donut (Strawberry)
A colorful donut inspired by the Hokkaido-exclusive “Pink Black Thunder.”
- Price: 184 yen (Approx. $1.22 / 198 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (excluding Okinawa Prefecture)
The crunchy donut dough, kneaded with Hokkaido milk, is coated in strawberry chocolate. The sweet and sour strawberry flavor matches perfectly with the rich chocolate for a treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Limited Quantities! Premium Chocolate Tarts and Ice Cream
The lineup also includes rich, high-quality items perfect for a personal reward.
Black Thunder Chocolate Tart
From the tart crust to the toppings, every part of this luxurious creation screams Black Thunder.
- Price: 230 yen (Approx. $1.52 / 248 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (Limited Quantity)
Dough containing chocolate chips is poured into a cocoa tart shell and baked with biscuits on top. You can enjoy the fragrant tart crust along with the intense chocolate flavor.
White Black Thunder Chocolate Cookie
A rich white chocolate cookie made with carefully selected Hokkaido ingredients.
- Price: 230 yen (Approx. $1.52 / 248 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (Limited Quantity)
It features the gentle sweetness of white chocolate contrasted with the slight bitterness of cocoa biscuits. With its beautiful visual contrast, this cookie also makes a great gift.
Taberu Bokujo Osaka Black Thunder (Caramel Flavor)
A special collaboration with FamilyMart’s popular “Taberu Bokujo” (Eat at the Ranch) ice cream series.
- Price: 323 yen (Approx. $2.14 / 348 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (Limited Quantity)
The top layer consists of rich milk ice cream, while the bottom is caramel ice cream. Cocoa cookies are mixed throughout, perfectly recreating the Black Thunder texture in frozen form.
Black Thunder Choco Monaka
A chocolate-heavy ice cream treat utilizing the form of “Monaka,” a classic Japanese ice cream sandwich style.
- Price: 323 yen (Approx. $2.14 / 348 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (Limited Quantity)
Deep chocolate ice cream with increased cacao content is wrapped in a chocolate coating and a wafer (monaka) shell. It is a highly satisfying item that delivers a crunchy texture no matter where you bite.
Bite-Sized “Evolved” Black Thunder
New, easy-to-eat snacks featuring a fresh character mascot are also joining the fray.
Black Melon Pander Bite Size
A new type of snack that condenses the savory flavor of Melon Pan.
- Price: 128 yen (Approx. $0.85 / 138 yen incl. tax)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Availability: Nationwide (Limited Quantity)
Made with fermented butter from France, it releases a rich aroma the moment you open the bag. Despite its small size, the butter and cocoa flavors make a bold statement in this high-quality snack.
A Must-See for Railway Fans! Online Exclusive Glowing Pass Case
To commemorate the collaboration, a unique gadget is also available for pre-order.
“PIICA” Black Thunder Collaboration Glowing Pass Case
A pass case that flashes a lightning bolt when you pass through Japanese train station gates (when held over an IC card reader).
- Price: 1,709 yen (Approx. $11.32 / 1,880 yen incl. tax)
- Application Period: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Monday, March 23, 2026
- Pickup Period: Friday, May 15, 2026 – Thursday, May 28, 2026
It requires no batteries, as it lights up by reacting to electromagnetic waves. This is a quintessentially Japanese high-tech item that adds a bit of fun to your daily commute.
glafit Electric Cycle NFR-01Lite Black Thunder Design
A special model of the electric cycle that can be ridden on Japanese public roads without a license by anyone 16 or older.
- Price: 170,000 yen (Approx. $1,126 / 187,000 yen incl. tax)
- Application Period: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Monday, May 25, 2026
- Colors: Black, Yellow
A extremely rare limited design featuring the Black Thunder logo. Detailed specs and purchasing information can be found at the https://famima-online.family.co.jp/ 🇯🇵 .
A Festival of “Crunchy Textures” Born from FamilyMart’s Passion
FamilyMart’s “Ichiban Challenge” leading up to its 45th anniversary symbolizes the evolution of Japanese convenience store culture. This collaboration with Black Thunder goes beyond just selling products; it offers an exciting experience by delivering “regional flavors” from across Japan to a national audience.
If you have the chance to visit Japan after March 3, be sure to stop by a FamilyMart. A lightning-class deliciousness and an amazing crunch are waiting for you.
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