Licca-chan is a Japanese dress-up doll series by Takara whose popularity can be compared to that of Barbie in the US. She has teamed up with Despicable Me to receive her very own Minion outfit. This version will go on Sale on August 4 at toy shops, department stores and online in Japan, as well as Takara's official shopping site Takara Tomy My Mall. The collaboration was devised after the Minions won the Japan Character Awards 2018 which was held on March 29, while Licca-chan received an honourable mention.   Licca expressed her love for Minions on her Twitter account. Her dress-up doll outfit features a yellow shirt and denim overall, as well as engineer boots, and a Minion hat with goggles. She also comes with a Tim teddy bear which Bob is always holding in Despicable Me. There are over 30 items of Minions merchandise available from Takara Tomy right now. Check the official homepage for more details.  

LINE have released two new Minion models in their Clova Friends smart speaker range on August 21: "Clova Friends (MINIONS Kevin" and "Clova Friends mini (MINIONS Bob). They also released the Clova Friends Dock which comes with a remote control and is compatible with both Clova Friends and Clova Friends mini. Clova Friends is a series of cute smart speakers modelled on popular characters such as those in the LINE FRIENDS gang like Brown the bear and Sally the chick.   The speakers are equipped with the AI assistant Clova which, similar to the Amazon Echo, is voice controlled and can update you not only on the news and weather but can play music and tell you fortunes too.   They have been on sale since December last year and make it feel as if you're really talking to the characters. They can be enjoyed together with friends and family too. The newest entry to the character range include the popular Minions from the hit animated movie franchise Despicable Me. The two types include the taller Clova Friends Kevin and the shorter Clova Friends mini Bob who has two different eye colours.   You can converse with the Minions using their language with words like "Banana" and "Bello." You can also say things to them in Japanese like kawaii ne ("Aren't you cute?"), suki da yo ("I like you") and tsukareta ("I'm tired") and they will give a wide range of different reactions. You can also make requests like asking them to do a sum or sing a song. The models are also customizable and come with different stickers to change their facial expressions.   The Clova Friends Dock was also released alongside the two models which is compatible with your TV, house lights and air conditioning. Make your life easier by simply giviving a command like "Hey, Clover, turn off the TV" (Nee Clova, terebi okeshite).   There are also future plans to increase the number of compatible electronic devices.  

Baskin-Robbins, known as "31" in Japan, will sell a limited edition Minions ice cream this summer from July 17 to August 30. The ice cream is based on the banana-loving Minions from the film series Despicable Me. This limited-edition summer flavour is called Minions Meccha Fruits and as the title suggests is packed full of delicious fruit flavours. The orange coloured sourbet contains banana, apple and orange while the green sherbet is a mix of lychee, kiwi and white grape. The orange sourbet is also decorated with edible blue and yellow Minions. For this ice cream, the usual Small Double size has been upgraded to the Regular Double at no extra cost and called Minions Double, meaning you get an extra 50%. It's served in one of three original Minion cups: 'Aloha,' 'Fever!,' and 'Tropical.' It even comes with a Minions spoon. If you purchase three Minions Double from August 10 you can get one of the tote bags pictured above for just an extra ¥150. If you want something to cool you down even more, then get yourself the Crushed Ice Minion pictured above which combines the Minions ice cream with crunchy shaved ice. There's also a variety pack box and two other ice creams, Minion Sweets Hunt and Bello! Minion. The seasonal Boo Ya! Minion flavour is also making a return. Minions are set to take over Baskin-Robbins. Join the fun!