One of Nintendo’s cutest — and hungriest — game characters is causing long lines outside Japan’s oldest beef bowl chain nationwide.

Kirby — a pink, rotund guy with rosy cheeks and blue eyes — can inhale enemies and objects, either consuming them to gain various powers or spitting them out as projectiles.

Named after a lawyer who helped Nintendo win a major copyright lawsuit, the series debuted in 1992 with Kirby’s Dream Land. There are 39 titles, including the latest, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, released last year.

Now through Aug. 31, Yoshinoya is offering a special Kirby set that includes the chain’s famous gyudon — thinly sliced beef and onions atop a bed of white rice — and your choice of a small salad or apple juice. A small bowl is 600 yen (about $4.10); medium is 630 yen.

But that’s not all. Patrons also get one of four collectible Kirby figures that show the lovable character in a variety of poses, from holding Yoshinoya’s signature beef bowl triumphantly atop his head to spilling a glass of green tea, wide-eyed.

Four more figures with different poses will be offered Sept. 3-30.

Takeout sets are served in a special pink bag featuring Kirby’s adorable mug.

Most Yoshinoya locations begin selling the Kirby sets at 10 a.m. each day. Only a certain number are available daily, for some reason, so you may have to line up early to add these figures to your collection.

Yoshinoya

Location: There are more than 1,200 locations in Japan, including near most U.S. military bases.

Hours: Most are open 24/7, but the Kirby set typically goes on sale at 10 a.m.

Prices: 600 yen for small; 630 yen for medium.

Dress: Casual

Directions: Search online for your nearest location.

Information: Online: yoshinoya.com