#Japan #Tokyo #Black Thunder #Hackathon #BTDD

Black Thunder's Inaugural Hackathon: "Burakkason"

In an exciting development for tech enthusiasts, YURAKU CONFECTIONERY CO., LTD. announced that it will host its first-ever hackathon, dubbed "Burakkason," on June 6-7, 2026, in Akihabara, Tokyo. This event specifically targets engineers and aims to showcase Black Thunder as the perfect snack companion while they tackle their coding tasks.

A New Era of Enjoyment

Black Thunder, best known for its hearty crunch and convenience, is encouraging enthusiasts to incorporate its chocolate bar into their daily work routine, specifically during extensive computer tasks. The company's innovative approach proposes Black Thunder as a delightful treat to enhance productivity during work sessions. With its perfect size and satisfying texture, enjoying Black Thunder can serve as an energizing break between long coding stretches.

To bring this concept to life, the hackathon will introduce attendees to a new development methodology inspired by the snack: "Black Thunder Driven Development (BTDD)." This development style is designed to utilize the act of enjoying a Black Thunder bar as a refreshing pause while navigating through coding challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy unlimited Black Thunder during the event while working on tasks based on themes announced on the day.

Who Can Join?

The event is open to engineers, and entry will begin on April 21, 2026. Notably, the winning team will be awarded a staggering 39,393 yen in cash as well as a one-year supply of Black Thunder (approximately 320 bars).

Why a Hackathon?

Black Thunder is actively promoting itself as an ideal snack for active individuals engaged in outdoor adventures like hiking or fishing. The recent launch of "Black Thunder Lure"—a collaboration with a fishing tackle manufacturer—has already garnered significant attention, leading to an innovative twist in positioning the chocolate bar as a go-to "action snack."

The hackathon aims to highlight the versatility of Black Thunder as a perfect companion for programmers. Feedback gathered confirms its practical value: tech professionals appreciate its grab-and-go size and great taste. For example, programmers have noted it’s an ideal snack to munch on while waiting for code to compile or even to recharge during a frustrating debugging session.

Real Voices from Engineers

Interviews with engineers conducted by interesting corporation Kayak reveal the following insights:

• - “It’s just right for when I ask AI to do coding and wait for it. I can enjoy it while I wait.”
• - “They say chewing increases concentration. The crunchy texture of Black Thunder might actually enhance focus.”
• - “When engaging in intense discussions with AI, it helps to have a snack nearby.”
• - “Just having it on my desk boosts my motivation.”
• - “The size is perfect for taking a bite, then returning to my work in between.”

Introducing BTDD: A New Development Concept

Taking the feedback from engineers into account, YURAKU introduces "Black Thunder Driven Development (BTDD)." In an environment where engineers cycle through the mindset of "think, try, fix," it’s essential to find structured timing for breaks. BTDD encourages programmers to pause and indulge in a Black Thunder as cues for their next action, ensuring they recharge both mentally and physically. This development style aims to make Black Thunder synonymous with productive work sessions.

Applications of BTDD

• - Complete a Commit, Eat a Black Thunder: After finishing a task, treat yourself to a Black Thunder for a quick calorie boost that adds momentum to the next conveyance of ideas.
• - Bug Incident, Black Thunder Time: When confronted with frustrating error logs, pause, enjoy a Black Thunder, and reset your mindset.
• - Wait Times, Black Thunder Moments: Use the wait time during processing to indulge in Black Thunder without the mess, making it easy to continue working with clean hands.

Event Details

• - Title: Burakkason - A Hackathon for Engineers
• - Dates: June 6-7, 2026
• - Location: Akihabara, Tokyo (detailed info provided to participants)
• - Dress Code: Black (participants will receive black T-shirts)
• - Entry Fee: Free
• - Registration: Click here to register
• - Registration Timeline:

- Entry Opens: April 21, 2026
- Entry Closes: May 12, 2026
- Selection Results: Expected May 19, 2026

• - Participation Benefits:

- Original SWAG (T-shirts, sticker set)
- One box of Black Thunder (20 pieces)

• - Prizes:

- Grand Prize: 39,393 yen cash and a year’s supply of Black Thunder (320 bars)
- Additional category prizes will be awarded too.

Judge Panel

The panel includes notable figures such as Yuji Hayashi, editor-in-chief of Daily Portal Z; Yuko Kondo, editor-in-chief of CodeZine; and Yumoja, a buzz inventor. Additionally, an in-house AI tool at YURAKU will also take part in the judging process.

About YURAKU CONFECTIONERY

Founded in April 1955, YURAKU aims to create delicious snacks that contribute to an active lifestyle. The flagship product, Black Thunder, established in 1994, combines two types of cocoa cookies and plain biscuits, creating a long-standing favorite among consumers.

For more information, visit the official website or follow on social media: X and Instagram.