Hugo the Hippo

There’s always cause for celebration when Junichi “Juno” Yananose announces a new puzzle box or sequential discovery design. His creative and unique interlocking and packing puzzles, which he sells via his Pluredro puzzle shop, are always well received and in demand, but his occasional puzzle boxes are literally hot ticket items. They typically sell out immediately upon release, and anyone who hesitates or isn’t sure they like cats, or cars, or just something with some knobs on it, will surely regret that indecision soon enough, as lucky collectors and puzzle lovers around the world begin to sing the praises of each new creation. Of course, that is usually even before the inevitable awards roll in. Juno’s designs have won high praise and top honors at the International Design Competition time and again.

This year was no exception and expectations were high when Hugo the Hippo was released. Juno carefully explained that unlike many of his recent “sequential discovery” type puzzles, Hugo does not require tools or tricky moves to solve. Juno actually had many ideas he decided to leave out of the puzzle, just so it would remain a pure “trick box” in the spirit of works like those from the Karakuri Creation Group in Japan. That should not have concerned anyone who loves Juno’s puzzles, because he knows what makes an enjoyable experience, and difficulty does not necessarily equal fun. Hugo is already fun just to look at! It should also come as no surprise that Hugo is also fun to solve, with twenty interdependent moves required to open the box and see what the hippo has eaten.

Juno’s wife Yukari runs the puzzle shop business with him and often shares some of the stories about Juno’s creations. She relates that in the summer of 2023 he had a vague notion about this design and began work on it that fall. There is something which happens while exploring this feisty hippo that may make you laugh or smile – I won’t mention it specifically to preserve the fun but if you have experienced it you will surely know! Juno specifically wanted to make a puzzle that did this, and the puzzle evolved around the idea. I would say it is the gentlest, nicest rendition of the general concept compared to others who have made puzzles with similar intentions.

Hugo the Hippo has a perfect name, with just the right cadence and alliteration. Hugo also has a name benefactor, from one of Juno and Yukari’s customers, who absolutely loves Hippos and has a son named, you guessed it, Hugo. Hugo the person’s mom let me know that he and Hugo the Hippo “are now best friends and spend their days in the garden roaming around and eating grass.”

The naming was probably the easiest part of the puzzle to solve, and although there were numerous production issues to deal with, the team pushed on until the production was complete. Hugo was made using a combination of power tools, CNC, and manual labor from Fijan Mahogany (for the outer shape), which will darken in color with age and handling, so that Hugo may eventually start to look like a real hippo.

Juno has a few very funny stories about this hippo to share. First of all, when I asked what he might have learned from this puzzle design process, he replied, “Vindictiveness”! Ha! That is very funny if you have solved the puzzle. Perhaps even funnier is that their first job for the new year in 2024 was to paint something black – the “backside hole” of Hugo the Hippo! I am going to assume you know what I am talking about! Juno has once again been vindicated as a master of the art for his wonderful ideas and high quality creations, winning this year’s coveted “Puzzle of the Year” for Hugo, which is only awarded when a design wins both the Jury Grand Prize and “Puzzler’s Award”. This has only happened eight times in the history of the competition, and Juno has won it twice! Once more, and he will tie the person who has won it three times …. Yukari mentioned that Juno has plenty of ideas in store, so I wouldn’t be surprised one day. Of course, Juno has nothing to prove, with the most Grand Prize wins of any designer to date. He is one of the all time best!

Hugo Spritz cocktail — Hugo Spritz by Roland Gruber

As a physician, I’m especially obligated to provide praise for this particular award winning creation. After all, it’s a Hippocratic toast. Let’s travel to Italy’s northern alpine region, known as the Dolomites, where stunning views of those mountains are best enjoyed with an afternoon aperitif. A seasonal plant in the mint family, called lemon balm (cedronella), grows wild there, and is traditionally infused into a delicious homemade syrup called Melissa cordial.

At the San Zeno wine and cocktail bar in Naturno, a town in the province of South Tyrol, local bartender Roland Gruber was inspired by this regional delicacy. In 2005 he dreamed up an alternative to the ubiquitous Aperol Spritz, using the local flavors of Melissa cordial and mint instead. Of course, his drink needed a name. According to the story, he originally thought to call it the “Otto” spritz, but randomly liked the name Hugo better. Soon after its creation, the popular elderflower liqueur St. Germain made its debut, and became an available and reliable alternative to the original Melissa cordial in the drink, which went on to become incredibly popular across eastern Europe. So here’s to the Hugos, salute!

Hugo the Hippo puzzle and Hugo Spritz cocktail — A Hippocratic Toast

Hugo Spritz by Roland Gruber

2 oz Prosecco

1 oz Elderflower syrup (or liqueur)

2 oz Sparkling water

8 mint leaves

Slap and muddle the mint in a glass. Add ice and build the remaining ingredients, topping off with the prosecco. Mint and lime wheel garnish.

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