Character · Consumer
Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty isn't a cartoon, she's a licensing machine: a mouthless mascot Sanrio rents to 50,000-plus manufacturers, turning cuteness into one of the highest-grossing franchises on Earth.
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Hello Kitty
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· Ryan General
Japan Now Has Super Kawaii Hello Kitty Bullet Trains
Sanrio has a special treat for Hello Kitty fans visiting Japan this summer with the launch of custom-designed trains featuring the beloved feline character. The new line of limited edition Hello Kitty shinkansen, connecting Osaka and Fukuoka, was unveiled on June 30, CNN reports.
· Khier Casino
Meet the Japanese Man Who Owns The World’s Largest Hello Kitty Collection
With more than 5,000 Hello Kitty memorabilia Masao Gunji holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of its kind. In the video below, Gunji, who resides in Yotsukaido, Chiba, Japan, explains that he began collecting Hello Kitty products over the past 35 years,…
· Ryan General
Hello Kitty is Teaming Up with Wonder Woman For the Film’s Japan Release
We’ve seen Hello Kitty take on a variety of other roles over the years as the character has partnered with other companies, but never has it been this badass. This time, Hello Kitty takes up the mantle of DC’s Wonder Woman and suddenly Gal Gadot has got some fierce competition…
· 7Deadly Mag
Inside the First Hello Kitty Cafe in America
It takes a lot for a grown woman to pay $9 for a small stale pastry, but here we are, handing the lady in the pink frock our credit card and paying for overpriced bottled water because it’s shaped like a bow. See also from 7DeadlyMag: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese
· Laura Dang
Taiwanese Pet Salon Will Turn Your Pet Into a Dinosaur, a Bear or Hello Kitty
Grooming your pets may not always be fun for you or your pet, but this Taiwanese salon is changing all of that. The artists at the Igogo salon in Tainan, Taiwan are able to transform cats and dogs into dinosaurs, lions and teddy bears. Oh my! Owner of the salon, Ou Shih-jou,…
· Laura Dang
The Very First Hello Kitty Restaurant in China Just Opened in Shanghai
Hello Kitty lovers rejoice! China has officially opened their first Hello Kitty restaurant in Shanghai. Tokyo-based Sanrio company has granted permission for the two-story Hello Kitty Bistro to open in the mainland.
· Jin Hyun
12 Times Your Favorite Celebs Were Guilty of Appropriating Asian Culture
Earlier in 2018, a white female student wore a Cheongsam dress to her high school prom and consequently sparked a massive debate on cultural appropriation. But of course, that wasn’t the first time this topic has taken over the internet. Like broken records, we’re talking about…
· Bryan Ke
Japanese Netizens Rank the 10 Most Iconic Characters that Represent Japan
Many netizens have given their opinion on who are the top 10 iconic characters from all sorts of media that best represent Japan. Here are who the people voted as listed on Goo Ranking as translated by SoraNews24:
· Kyle Encina
Sailor Moon Café is Returning to Japan For Everyone Fighting Hunger by Daylight
The Sailor Moon Café will once again open its doors in Japan this year as opening dates and venues have just been unveiled, and it usually doesn’t stay for long since these are limited-time offerings. Fortunately for fans of the series, they will finally get a chance to visit…
· Kyle Encina
Japan is Going to Have the Best Parade For the 2020 Summer Olympics
Olympics Organizing Committee chairman Yoshiro Mori favors anime pop culture over traditional Japanese culture when it comes to the 2020 Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony. The Olympic games so far had its share of memorable moments such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s iconic…
· Ryan General
Photographer Introduces Polaroid to North Korea to Get Citizens to Reveal Their Stories
Celebrated French photographer Eric Lafforgue has taken thousands of photos from different parts of the world, but his published unfiltered images of North Korea have been among his most captivating ones. “I first went to North Korea in 2008,” Lafforgue recalled. “At this time,…
· Ryan General
6-Year-Old Japanese Girl Becomes Instagram Star With Outfits That are Lit AF
Coco is just 6 years old, but she has already become an influential social media star for being both more fashionable and adorable than the rest of us. The young Japanese girl has already gained a huge following on Instagram because of her cool poses and trendy clothes.
· Carl Samson
How a Malaysian Woman Created a Successful Macaron Business in Less Than a Year
Oftentimes, the financial risk that comes with starting a new business online is nothing compared to opening up a brick and mortar store. So it’s not surprising to learn that many entrepreneurs spend years testing the waters of the internet before branching out to the “real…
· Max Chang
Disgusting Dating Site Teaches Creepy White Guys How to Land an Asian Woman
Recently, I came across the following video browsing around YouTube. I don’t think I need to explain why this video itself is problematic. Not only does it blatantly play on stereotypes of Asian women, but the “advice” it gives is very clearly designed for one creepy, older and…
· King Malleta
Japanese Cat Becomes the Cutest iPhone Case of All Time
Netizens can’t get over one extremely cute “living cat phone case” that has certainly gone viral. Japanese people have always had a penchant for anything “kawaii”, or “cute” in English. Where else in the world will you find road blocks – we’re talking about bunnies, frogs,…
· Ryan General
Sanrio’s Newest Character Who’s Secretly Filled With Violent Rage is My Spirit Animal
Sanrio, the company responsible for Hello Kitty, the global icon for everything nice, sweet, and cute, is introducing a new cartoon with a totally different persona: an angst-filled corporate drone named Aggretsuko. While Aggretsuko, a red female panda, may look like your…
· Khier Casino
Undercover Photos Reveal Horrific Working Conditions in a Chinese Toy Factory
China Labor Watch investigators went undercover at four toy factories where workers make products for Disney, Mattel, Fisher-Price and McDonald’s for 11 hours a day, seven days a week, and all for minimum wage. The investigation in southern China’s Guangdong Province discovered…
· Ryan General
One of Japan’s Most Popular Cartoons is an Egg Suffering From ‘Crippling Depression’
Sanrio, home of the fun-loving cartoon gang of the Hello Kitty lore, has a cartoon that seems like a complete departure from its original characters’ usual positive vibe. Introduced in 2013, Gudetama, the “misanthropic egg” suffering from “crippling depression,” has become…
· Editorial Staff
Japanese Moms Spend an Insane Amount of Time to Make Their Kid’s Lunches
For many of us, lunch is just another meal of the day, but take the time to look at Japan and see how mothers put considerable effort in preparing their children’s food. These moms are molding rice, carving vegetables, cutting nori and shaping meat into cute little characters…
· Jacob Wagner
Here are the Most Ridiculous Ways Millionaire Athletes Have Spent Their Money
Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can buy you some extravagant things. These are a few ways rich and successful athletes have been known to spend their money. Vince Young Vince Young made bank as an NFL quarterback and spent his millions buying out commercial flights on…
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Hello Kitty connects to Sanrio, licensing, collabs, and global retail.
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Company · Japan · TYO:8136
Sanrio
Sanrio shows how character fandom becomes retail, licensing, collabs, parks, and global consumer demand.
Sanrio · Consumer · TYO:8136
Sanrio wants Hello Kitty to be more than merch.
If Hello Kitty already shows up in what you wear, gift, or collect, Sanrio now wants the same characters showing up in your next Switch play session too.
Explainer · Sanrio
Hello Kitty is not just something you buy anymore. Sanrio wants you to play inside the world.
Sanrio shows how character fandom becomes retail, licensing, collabs, parks, and global consumer demand.