Sanrio and Warner Bros. Japan have announced the release of the first-ever Hollywood adaptation Hello Kitty movie which will be directed by animation veterans Jennifer Coyle and Leo Matsuda. New Line Cinema and Flynn Picture Company are on board for the film which will be a hybrid fusion of live-action and animation. The film’s title and release date have yet to be announced but it has been confirmed that it will be released worldwide.

Ⓒ 2021 SANRIO CO.,LTD.

Jennifer Coyle and Leo Matsuda are top-class artists and directors who bring their incredible history in and experience working with animation to the project. This marks their first collaboration, both of them beating many other directors to the job.

Jennifer Coyle

Coyle’s early days are rooted in series such as King of the Hill where she was a storyboard artist. She worked as a producer for the HBO Max animated series Harley Quinn and has also directed episodes in the hit animated series Bob’s Burgers, lent her penned her art for The Spectacular Spider-Man, and more.

Jennifer Coyle Photo by Andrew Marlin

Jennifer Coyle | Comment

“This is not only a rare chance to bring a beloved character to life, but also to spread the message of love, friendship and inclusivity that Hello Kitty stands for. The world so needs her brand of joy and happiness.”

Leo Matsuda

Matsuda is a Brazilian director whose career began at Walt Disney Animation. He has worked on films such as Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Ralph Breaks the Internet and most recently Abominable for DreamWorks Animation. 

Leo Matsuda Photo by Peter Lefevre Photography

Leo Matsuda | Comment

“Growing up in Brazil with a Japanese family, I was surrounded by the whimsy of Hello Kitty and it served as a reminder that it’s okay to be different. Along with Jen, FlynnPictureCo. and New Line, I am delighted by this incredible opportunity to work with one of the most universally beloved characters and expand their relatable Sanrio stories even further.”

Sanrio has finally announced news about the 36th annual Sanrio Character Ranking. This year’s award event, the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking, will open initial votes on April 9 to May 24 when fans can vote for their favourite character from Sanrio’s roster. As with previous years, the 2021 run will also welcome the “Collaboration Category” of the awards which will feature 27 character entries from those who have collaborated with other companies and businesses over the past year.

Ichigo Shimbun is a monthly magazine published by Sanrio. It not only includes information about the latest character merchandise, but is also the place where the Sanrio Character Ranking first began in 1986. From Sanrio’s long list of over 450 characters, just 80 are entered into the awards each year. Cinnamoroll took first place for the 3rd year in a row at the 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking which we covered in detail, including the initial first round up of winners and second round up.

Normally, the results are announced in-person at a big event. This year’s announcement gathering was originally scheduled for June 8, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now be hosted online instead, and fans will also be able to vote using the new Sanrio members service Sanrio+.

This year’s 80 entrants are now being rolled out over on the official Sanrio Character Awards Twitter page.

This Year’s Award Theme: “The Witness of a New World – Your Support Will Change the Future”

Every Sanrio Character Awards has a theme, and this year’s is, “The Witness of a New World – Your Support Will Change the Future.” The “new world” refers to the future of Sanrio—which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year—that fans will bear witness to. The key visuals for the 2021 Sanrio Character Awards have the characters holding a magnifying glass with which they are peeking into that new world.

New Entrants Announce Everyday On the Official Twitter Page

The Sanrio Character Rankings’ official Twitter page will post the key visuals and personal messages from all 80 entrants on its official Twitter page between February 26 to March 31. Leading this year’s awards ceremony are the popular characters Kuromi, Badtz-Maru, and Hangyodon. Voting opened on February 25.

How to Cast Your Vote

Votes for the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking can be cast online, at Sanrio shops, and for the first time, on the new Sanrio members service Sanrio+. Votes for the Collaboration Category however can only be placed online. Last year’s vote was open to all fans worldwide. It is unconfirmed whether this year will be the same, but stay tuned as we follow the event.

1. Online Votes (Smartphone Only) *Cannot be cast on computers or tablets
2. Sanrio Shops
3. Sanrio Online Shop
4. Ichigo Shimbun (May 2021 Issue, on sale April 10 / June 2021 Issue, on sale May 10).

*Ichigo Shimbun voting open from April 10

5. Sanrio+ Members Smile Vote (Sanrio Shops/Online Votes)
6. Sanrio+ Members Ticket Vote (Online Votes) *More info TBA
7. Other Voting Methods (TBA)

Vote With Sanrio+

Sanrio+ allows members to exchange 100 Smiles (the currency on the Sanrio Shop) for two voting chips. Members can exchange a maximum of 1,000 smiles for 20 chips in one go. The chips are spent at the voting box on the Sanrio Shop. One chip counts for a total of three votes.

Additionally, when members first log in to Sanrio+ on the voting website, they can used 50 Smiles to cast one vote. Members can vote with a maximum of 500 smiles in one day. One Smile vote counts for a total of two votes.

Stay tuned for the latest news and updates on the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking.

World tea brand LUPICIA launched its 7th collaboration with Sanrio on Thursday (February 25) featuring a range of tea gift sets. Every year, LUPICIA releases a wide variety of rea-related gift sets for White Day, the spring season, Mother’s Day, and more.

Four Fruit Fruity Tea With Lidded Mug

Hello Kitty LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

My Melody LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Cinnamoroll LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Kuromi LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

This year adds the dearly beloved Kuromi to the new collaboration which features a variety of fresh and fruity teas together with a mug that comes with a lid to keep your tea hot.

Will you be having tea with Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, or Kuromi?

（c）’21 SANRIO 著作（株）サンリオ

Maison de FLEUR has revealed a new collection of face masks created in collaboration with Sanrio which will be released in Japan on February 23.

Sanrio Character Collab Masks | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included)

My Melody

     Cinnamoroll

Little Twin Stars

Pompompurin

Kuromi

The masks are designed from the popular Sanrio characters My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Little Twin Stars, Pompompurin, and Kuromi. The parts that hook over your ears are fitted with a big, cute satin ribbon, and the front of the masks feature a gold leaf print matte design.

The masks can be used both as a fashion item and for protection against COVID-19.

Floresta Nature Doughnuts, a doughnut cafe in Japan that hand-makes doughnuts using organic ingredients, is celebrating White Day this year by releasing two doughnuts based on the Little Twin Stars which will be served from March 1 to 14.

The Little Twin Stars, also known as Kiki & Lala, are two of the most popular characters by Sanrio, the company known for such iconic faces as Hello Kitty.

Kiki & Lala Doughnuts | ¥450 (Before Tax)

Kiki & Lala are twins who were born on the Star of Compassion. The doughnuts capture the cute duo atop fluffy pink clouds made from strawberry and white chocolate.

The doughnuts are made without any additives or colouring. The ring part of the doughnut is coated in a strawberry chocolate made from organic strawberry powder for a sweet and sour kick.

Celebrate White Day this year, the sequel to Valentine’s Day in Japan, with the Little Twin Stars.

©’21 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L615092

For Maison de FLEUR’s annual “PINK MANIA” Valentine’s season event, it is teaming up with Sanrio to release a positively-kawaii pink collection of bags at its stores in Japan on February 11. The line-up also made a pre-release on the online shop STRIPE CLUB last week.

PINK MANIA x Sanrio Characters Collection: Azato Melody / Azato My Sweet Piano / Azato Cinnamoroll / Azato Bonbonribbon / Azato Pochacco

PINK MANIA Double Ribbon Tote Bag | ¥5,290 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Side Pocket S Tote Bag | ¥5,290 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Side Pocket M Tote Bag | ¥5,990 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Ribbon Pouch | ¥3,590 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Pouch | ¥3,590 (Before Tax)

PINK MANIA Face Mask Case Pouch | ¥3,590 (Before Tax)

Interior design of each bag and pouch

PINK MANIA is an event held by Maison de FLEUR every year around Valentine’s Day where select items turn all pink. This year’s line-up includes some of the brand’s iconic tote bags and pouches as well as some new entries. Familiar faces from Sanrio include My Melody, My Sweet Piano, Bonbonribbon, Pochacco, and Cinnamoroll.

Go pink and kawaii this Valentine’s Day with this year’s PINK MANIA collection.

Japanese sneakers select shop atmos pink teamed up with Sanrio to release a cute collection of face masks on Thursday (January 28).

KIKI&LALA★atmos MASK Colours: White/Blue – ¥1,400 (Before Tax)

HELLO KITTY♡atmos MASK Colours: White/Pink – ¥1,400 (Before Tax)

The masks can be washed and are durable, fast-drying, block pollen, and cut UV. Face masks are part of everyday life now, so why not add a little fun to routine?

The Hoppe Town area of Daimaru Tokyo is currently celebrating Valentine’s Day up to February 14 with the release of a selection of gift chocolates by six brands in collaboration with popular characters.

Pokémon Chocolate Set (Large Box) | ¥1,404 (Tax Included)

My Melody x Goncharoff Chocolates (Contains 21) | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Moomin x Merry Chocolate’s Hattifatteners Chocolates (Contains 11) | ¥1,188 (Tax Included)

Dick Bruna by Morozoff: Picture Book Chocolates (Contains 15) – ¥864 (Tax Included) / Miffy Pouch Chocolates (Contains 8) – ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Chatrois Kitten Tiny Plain Chocolates | ¥783 (Tax Included)

Katanukiya Angel Panda | ¥684 (Tax Included)

Which of these cute and tasty-looking treats has caught your eye the most?

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©１９７６，２０２１ ＳＡＮＲＩＯ ＣＯ，ＬＴＤ．ＡＰＰＲＯＶＡＬ　ＮＯ．Ｌ６１３３７４
©Ｍｏｏｍｉｎ　Ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ™

Floresta Nature Doughnuts, a doughnut cafe that hand-makes doughnuts using organic ingredients, has baked up a new ‘n’ tasty collection of kawaii doughnuts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurin. The “Pompompurin Valentine Doughnuts” will be served from February 1 to 14 for the lead up to Valentine’s Day.

Character Doughnuts (Pompompurin/Muffin) | ¥450 Each (Before Tax)

The Pompompurin and Muffin doughnuts will arrive in the first week on February 1. The doughnuts are covered in white chocolate sprinkled with strawberry powder, freeze-dried strawberries, and a chocolate heart. Sat comfortably on top of them are good friends Pompompurin and Muffin. Pompompurin is pumpkin flavoured.

Korokoro Cup Doughnuts (Pompompurin & Macaron) | ¥600 (Before Tax)

Arriving on the second week from February 8 is a cup of round, bite-sized Pompompurin and Macaron doughnuts.

Online pre-orders for the doughnuts opened on January 30.

©’21 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L615071

The Osaka-based fruit parlour and bakery Season&Co., which is located on the first floor of LINKS UMEDA, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurin with a themed menu of desserts and drinks until April 12, 2021.

Menu item names have been translated from Japanese by MMN.

Pompompurin Peeking From the Nabe Hot Pot | ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin’s Specially-Made Parfait | ¥1,600 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin’s Strawberry Omelette | ¥1,600 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin’s Pudding Juice | ¥730 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin’s Mixed Juice | ¥730 (Before Tax)

NMB48 x Pompompurin’s Chocolate Cake | ¥700 (Before Tax)

NMB48 x Pompompurin’s Osaka Cupid | ¥500 (Before Tax)

The menu includes a range of Pompompurin themed drinks and desserts as well as merchandise. There’s also two items made in collaboration with NMB48.

For every order, customers will receive a free lunch mat, and if they spend over ¥1,000 (before tax) on anything on the menu, including the merch, they’ll get a free sticker.

Hairbrush brand WetBrush® joined hands with Sanrio to release a new collection of Hello Kitty design brushes at drug stores and variety stores across Japan on Friday (January 15).

Under My Umbrella | ¥1,540 (Before Tax)

Bubble Gum | ¥1,540 (Before Tax)

Original | ¥1,540 (Before Tax)

WetBrush® is a hairbrush brand sold in over 70 countries worldwide that can be used on damaged hair, wavy hair, thin hair, wigs, and more without causing damage to lovely locks, leaving hair detangled and silky smooth.

The Hello Kitty collection features three brushes with different designs – a must have for any fan of Sanrio’s most recognisable face.

If you’re looking to look as cute as Hello Kitty, then you’ll want to pick up the new D-UP Eyelash Fixer EX, a product by D-UP released in collaboration with Sanrio on Friday (January 22) at Don Quijote stores in Japan. The product will also begin rolling out at variety shops and drug stores from March 5.

D-UP Eyelash Fixer EX is a super strong glue for false eyelashes. First released in 2000, it has gone to enjoy huge popularity in Japan where it has sold over 27 million units. It is also popular outside of Japan too.

With face masks now a norm for everyone worldwide, makeup trends are now tending towards the eyes, and so D-UP is launching its 5th collaboration with Hello Kitty, a partnership which first began in 2021.

D-UP Eyelash Fixer EX552 Hello Kitty S | ¥5,990 (Tax Included)

The packaging and product design features a retro style coloured in pastel colours and Hello Kitty.