#RiceBallBabies: The Weirdest Viral Trend We’ve Ever Seen

Ah Japan. You never fail to entertain us with your weird and wonderful fads and trends.  A new meme has Japanese mums and dads gently squishing their babies' cheeks into the shape of a rice ball for a quick photo to upload using #RiceBallBabies. It all started back in June when comedian Masahiro Ehara posted hilarious snaps of his own little one: The hashtag has taken off, with fans uploading adorable snaps to Twitter, just for the squee of it. There's even a website where you can while away an afternoon looking at #RiceBalllBabies from all over the world... and submit your own little rice ball for consideration.

#RiceBallBabies ☺️? pic.twitter.com/grSOcEtG1n

— Meagan Rice (@meagan_89) December 13, 2015

And you don't even have to be a parent to participate, #RiceBallBabies participants come in all shapes and sizes: There's the kid sisters...

#RiceBallBabies Carlita pic.twitter.com/6NiVMjKgvX

— Roberto Jimenez (@jszroberto) December 14, 2015

The pets...

#RiceBallBabies ?? pic.twitter.com/pRNtf4Lk5q

— Diana (@didimsosa) December 11, 2015

The toddlers...

Yah, I'm THAT mom. ? #RiceBallBabies #momlife pic.twitter.com/cM13AYYwii

— Juliet Baker Beguin (@vietnabeguin) December 10, 2015

There's only one (fairly obvious) rule: The face-squishing must be feather-light and gentle. And you must share your efforts with us @HerFamilydotie.