Fashion variety store IT’SDEMO released a new collection of Hamtaro merchandise online and in-store on May 11.

Original artwork features on the items

The line-up

The new and original artworks include Hamtaro and friends holding colourful balloons and flying as well as the adorable hamsters adorably enjoying strawberries. The collection includes towels, stationery, pouches, and more, all perfect for those who adore all things kawaii from Japan.

©河井リツ子／小学館

Japanese online retailer ARMA BIANCA is now taking orders for an all-new Gozilla and Ed Hardy collaborative collection. ARMA BIANCA’s concept is to create merchandise that brings about new value by way of collaboration.

T-Shirt | ¥4,500 (Before Tax)

The collection includes a t-shirt fusing together the worlds of Godzilla and Ed Hardy. It features standard styling and a silhouette adaptable in many situations.

Hoodie | ¥6,980 (Before Tax)

A simple pullover hoodie that can be worn as loungewear or outdoors.

Tote Bag | ¥3,000 (Before Tax)

A handy large-sized tote bag with a versatile design.

Sticker | ¥600 (Before Tax)

The sticker is made from synthetic paper making it water and weather resistant.

TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Liquor Innovation’s online sake store KURAND collaborated with Saiki Tamumu’s popular character Tomodachi wa Kuma to release an original label honey sake. The drink is available to purchase until May 31 at 17:00 (JST).

Tomodachi wa Kuma Honey Sake

Free original glass

The honey beverage features an original label in collaboration with Tomodachi wa Kuma, a popular character in Japan who saw 38,000 customers dine at his themed cafe last year, over 100,000 books sold, and lots of merchandise sold.

The bottle label has the adorable bear dressed as a bee eating honey comb and being scolded by other bees.

Japanese fashion brand Sunny clouds has teamed up to release its Summer 2021 collection. Modelling the line-up are Bon and Pon, two popular Japanese seniors from Sendai in their 60’s who blew up online for their coordinated matching outfits. They have almost 830k followers on Instagram.

<Sunny clouds> Pon’s Panel Striped Women’s One Piece | ¥5,900 (Before Tax)

<Sunny clouds> Bon’s Panel Striped Men’s Shirt | ¥5,600 (Before Tax)

Bon and Pon blew up on Instagram in 2016 for their coordinated outfits. The two of them enjoy dressing up together and travelling, visiting art museums, and enjoying life.

As part of Sunny clouds’ Summer 2021 collection, the fashionable duo, who love stripes, are donning matching striped outfits, complete with their signature specs. The items are made from 100% cotton and serve a refreshing vibe.

As part of Red Bull and King Gnu’s “Go Louder” project, the Japanese pop-rock band are set to hold an exclusive live concert at a secret location as part of the Red Bull Secret Gig experience, which has taken place at over 10 locations in six countries worldwide. The show is scheduled for early June this year, and applications for tickets opened on April 27.

Tickets to the Red Bull Secret Gig shows are free, but the venue is kept a secret until the last minute, and concertgoers must solve puzzles and riddles. There are two ways to attend the King Gnu concert: in-person and online, each of which will be determined on fans’ success in the endeavour.

The Sesame Street and BAPE® collaboration continues with pre-sales for the children’s line-up having launched at BAPE KIDS® Harajuku on April 29 and the men’s collection dropping at all A BATHING APE® stores and webstore on May 2.

This collaboration features familiar faces from the Sesame Street series including Elmo, the Cookie Monster, and Big Bird together with BAPE’s own BABY MILO®. It’s a fun and colourful collection of stripes tees, tees with big graphics on them, and more for the family to coordinate.

There are also special illustrations in line with Children’s Day in Japan which falls on May 5.

Royal Park Hotel is collaborating with the Japanese condiment brand Mizkan, which is known for its vinegars, mustards, salad dressings and more, to serve non-alcoholic cocktails made with vinegar. The Non Alco-Vinegar Cocktail Fair will be held from May 1 to June 30.

Royal Park Hotel x Mizkan

Tropical Princess/FLORAL BEAUTY Vinegar Cashew/Frozen Fruity Su/Blueberry Black Vinegar Soy Milk Shake/Vinegar Fruit Yogurt/Ponzu & Tomato Ginger

The non-alcoholic vinegar cocktails were created for both drinkers and non-drinkers of alcohol as a way to enjoy the food scene more. The alcoholic drinks used in cocktails gives them a kick, and so does vinegar when used in food. These beverages combine vinegar with a range of fruits, teas, carbonated water, and other ingredients.

The line-up was conceived by the Vinegar Club who have also posted recipes for various cocktails on their website – links below.

The Hokka Hokka Tei x Sumikko Gurashi campaign is returning again this year as part of a celebration to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Hokka Hokka’s first store opening in Soka, Saitama.

Every month, 100 lucky people who are members of the Hokka app have the chance to win a set of five palm-sized Sumikko Gurashi plushies for every Sumikko Gurashi bento they purchase at Hokka Hokka Tei stores in Japan. Each purchase comes with a QR code that can be scanned which will reveal whether they’ve won or not.

Fans of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Magica Record won’t want to miss out on these new themed backpacks and wristwatches released by KADOKAWA at the apparel brand EMooooN. Available to order until May 23, the merch designs take inspiration from the 2011 film Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie and the anime adaptation of the mobile RPG Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story.

The anime studio SHAFT, who animated both of these series, created special illustrations of Madoka, Homura, Iroha, and Yachiyo for this merch drop.

Madoka Kaname Backpack | ¥14,700 (Tax Included)

Inspired by the one and only Madoka, this backpack’s outer design features her full name embroidered in the bottom right, while inside fans will discover an original design with magical circles and limitless space. There is plenty of room to store your bits and bobs with both open pockets and a zip pocket. The bag itself has a simple body design which makes it perfect for being nerdy while in a business setting as well as looking stylish when out and about.

Homura Akemi Backpack | ¥14,700 (Tax Included)

Embroidered with Homura’s name, this black backpack’s inner design features flowers and the starry night sky.

Madoka Kaname Wristwatch | ¥18,480 (Tax Included)

The face of this wristwatch features magical circles and its colours based on Madoka’s clothes. Its stylish design also makes it wearable in any situation.

Homura Akemi Wristwatch | ¥18,480 (Tax Included)

Homura’s clock face has cogs on it as well as darker colours to match her character design.

Iroha Tamaki Backpack | ¥14,700 (Tax Included)

The interior design of Iroha’s bag was created by Doroinu of Gekidan Inu Curry.

Yachiyo Nanami Backpack | ¥14,700 (Tax Included)

Dorainu also designed the inside of Yachiyo’s bag.

Iroha Tamaki Wristwatch | ¥18,480 (Tax Included)

Yachiyo Nanami Wristwatch | ¥18,480 (Tax Included)

Special sets featuring illustrations by SHAFT

Backpack & Acrylic Key Ring Sets

Backpack EMooooN Sets: Madoka, Homura, Iroha, Yachiyo | ¥15,200 Each

Wristwatch & Acrylic Stand Figure Sets

Backpack EMooooN Sets: Madoka, Homura, Iroha, Yachiyo | ¥19,500 Each

©Magica Quartet／Aniplex・Madoka Movie Project Rebellion

©Magica Quartet/Aniplex・Magia Record Anime Partners

Italian luxury goods company Furla has collaborated with the messenger app LINE to release a capsule collection featuring the LINE FRIENDS characters. The collection was released on April 23 at FURLA Shinjuku Scramble Square, FURLA Lumine Omiya, and FURLA Kinshicho PARCO.

FURLA LINE FRIENDS Capsule Collection

The line-up, which is officially titled FURLA LINE FRIENDS, welcomes the popular LINE FRIENDS original characters BROWN, CONY, and SALLY on seven different items such as micro bags, card cases, and more.

The micro bags, which are in this season, make up the entirety of the characters’ faces and come with adorable leather. They are perfect for coupling with kawaii outfits, adding a sense of accessory to a look. The slim leather ‘envelope’ zip case is multipurpose and serves as a bag-in-bag as it can easily slot away in any handbag. There’s also card cases with zip pockets so your favourite LINE FRIENDS character can keep your cards safe while you’re out and about day and night.

Furla and LINE FRIENDS have also created an original phone wallpaper which can be downloaded.

MICRO BAG | ¥29,700 (Tax Included)

MICRO BAG | ¥29,700 (Tax Included)

MICRO BAG | ¥29,700 (Tax Included)

S ENVELOPE | ¥22,000 (Tax Included)

S ENVELOPE | ¥22,000 (Tax Included)

M CARD CASE | ¥17,600 (Tax Included)

M CARD CASE | ¥17,600 (Tax Included)

Japanese high-end street brand LIBERE has teamed up with the Naruto anime series to release a capsule collection. Pre-orders opened on April 22 at the fashion brand’s official online store and branches.

LIBERE FOR NARUTO

“LIBERE FOR NARUTO” is the theme of the collection which sees Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Itachi all serving a street-ninja style by wearing the items in the line-up. Each also incorporates family crests and colours that represent the cast. It includes tees, long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, bags, caps, and more, all of which have details like straps, pockets, and zippers, and all of which come with special tags, plastic bags, and dust bags that were specially made for this collection.

Pierrot, the animation studio who animated Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, also created a look-book for the release which combines the anime with real life. A special poster will be included in all purchases.

(C)岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ＆LIBERE(R)

Style editorial brand “niko and …” opened pre-orders for a new collection with Kumamoto resident oil painter Takeshi Matsunaga at its new AMU PLAZA KUMAMOTO branch on April 23. The line-up is set to be subsequently released via the online webstore “st.” as well as five branches of niko and … on April 29, including their Tokyo store.

MATSUNAGA TAKESHI MEETS niko and … KUMAMOTO

The line-up is a collection of everyday items from tote bags and mugs to key rings, pencil cases, iPhone cases, t-shirts, caps, and more. Each item features a design inspired by Rakunou Gyunyu, a brand of milk that’s hugely popular in Kumamoto. Matsunaga adds his delicate touch to the oil-painted series. Part of the proceeds generated from the sales of these items will be donated to the city of Kumamoto in support of restoration efforts from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

niko and’s new Kumamoto store also has a cafe attached to it, “niko and … COFFEE,” where a milk smoothie will be sold for a limited time until September 30. Each will come with a milk-flavoured wafer featuring Matsunaga Takeshi’s art on it.