Imitation is the sincerest form of food flattery. Which is to say...you know you've scored a hit culinary item in Japan when the convenience stores start trying to recreate it.

Mister Donut's "Mochirin" donuts are a sensation whenever they end up on the dessert chain's shelves. These are mochi donuts, meaning they are softer than your normal circular treat, while still packing in plenty of sweetness. People love these things — I once saw what appeared to be an hour-long line outside the Kichijoji for these things.

Now here comes Lawson with its "Mochido" item, aka a mochi donut. I'm not saying Mister Donut invented the mochi donut, but they are absolutely the chain in Japan that made it into a hit over the last two years. So here comes a major attempt to replicate it, available in sugar and kinako. 

Despite following in the fluffy footsteps of Mister Donut's creation, there's one major difference between these two attempts at a mochi donut. The Lawson one is wrapped in plastic, whereas the Mister Donut version is available fresh. This is simply just the reality of both chains, but it makes the konbini effort markedly worse, as it doesn't come off nearly as fresh. The taste is alright...and it is soft enough...but you might be better off waiting for the inspiration to come back.