A BATHING APE® launched another collection with Sesame Street on Saturday (February 27) via their online store and ZOZOTOWN featuring a line-up of men’s, women’s, and kids items for the whole family to coordinate.

The Line-Up

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®. The T-shirts are also styled in the same colour as their respective Sesame Street characters.

This stylish collection is a must-grab for fans of the show.

Crypton Future Media unveiled an illustration on Friday (February 19) announcing Hatsune Miku’s collaboration with Pusheen as part of MikuWorldCollab, a project that launched to have the internationally-beloved virtual singer collaborated with famous overseas IP’s.

Pusheen is the instantly-recognisable cat character created in the U.S. by Claire Belton and Andrew Duff back in 2010. Originally featured as a comic strip, Pusheen went on to become a series of stamps on Facebook in 2013, and has seen countless collaborations, original merchandise, and more ever since.

The cute illustration of Miku and Pusheen was created by Japanese illustrator Choke. More illustrations by the Pusheen team are set to roll out this year along with a merchandise collection and other digital content, so stay tuned!

This year marks the second year since Kewpie Corporation has been collaborating with the internationally-beloved comic series Peanuts. This month, Kewpie is rolling out an all-new spring and summer design for its mayonnaise jars. This will be followed by new autumn and winter designs later this year.

Kewpie Mayonnaise x Snoopy | ¥290 (Before Tax)

Spring/Summer Design (Rolling out February 2021)

Autumn/Winter Design (Rolling out Autumn 2021)

The designs feature the iconic characters from Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts which was first serialised in US newspapers back in 1950. Schulz’s stories have been celebrate by kids and adults through the generations as Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang come together. Last year, Peanuts celebrated its 70th anniversary, something which was promoted much in Japan, a country where the iconic characters are extremely popular.

Kewpie has been selling its mayonnaise since 1925. Since 1995, it has introduced designs in collaboration with different characters every 2-3 years alongside its regular packaging.

Japanese bakery Neko Neko Shokupan is promoting the release of the second in the two-part anime film series Sailor Moon Eternal by baking up a bread inspired by everyone’s favourite feline: Luna. The bread will be sold from February 11 to March 25.

Neko Neko Shokupan Luna Bread w/ Chocolate Pen | ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

The bread is made of pastry laced with black cocoa powder. Luna’s ears are strawberry flavoured and she  of course has her iconic crescent moon atop her forehead. She arrives safely packaged in a cube-shaped box decorated in night sky stars and the moon. This box is placed in an eye-catching bag with little Sailor Moon details that are sure to be familiar to any fan, including Luna herself as well as Artemis.

The bread is available in-store at Neko Neko Shokupan branches and via the online store All Hearts Mall in Japan

The first film in the Sailor Moon Eternal series was released on January 8, 2021, and the second on February 11, 2021.

©武内直子・PNP／劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」製作委員会

Japananese ice cream chain ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORY is collaborating with the TV anime series Mr. Osomatsu at seven of its branches from February 10 to March 14. It will include a selection of ice creams, hot drinks, and merchandise based on the characters from the popular comedy series.

ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORY x Mr. Osomatsu Collab Visual

Ice Cream Menu

Drinks Menu

Novelty Coasters (7 Designs)

Merchandise line-up

Campaign for 5 people to win prize

Coupon to receive novelties earlier

So what exactly is ‘roll ice cream’? Just as the name suggests, liquid ice cream is poured onto a freezing cold plate which is then rolled with a spatula to create cylindrical shapes. As expected, roll ice cream continues to make its way onto Instagram for its cute visual impact and unique design. Roll ice cream began in Thailand before becoming a boom over in New York. It’s now popular worldwide having spread across Europe and the rest of Asia too. The first branch opened in Harajuku, Tokyo, back in 2017.

Fans of Mr. Osomatsu can look forward to a special selection of berry, vanilla, chocolate mint, and other tasty ice cream scoops based on the Matsuno siblings. Each cup also comes with a toothpick featuring an illustration of the character. There are also three hot takeout beverages perfect for the cold inwter season.

Customers can get their hands on a novelty coaster at participating branches for every item they order from the Mr. Osomatsu menu. There are seven designs which includes a secret, unknown design.

ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORY is also hosting a campaign on their official Twitter and Instagram accounts for 5 lucky fans to win a free poster. Details below.

NewType Shinjuku, a subculture cafe and bar in Tokyo, is collaborating with Modomu Akagawara’s manga series Love Me Pom Poko! from February 6 to 28. The cute and charming world of the series arrives not only on the food and drinks menu but in the form of merchandise and decorations too. As is the case with collaboration cafes in Japan, there’s some free novelties for customers to enjoy when they purchase something from the menu too.

The Menu

©Modomu Akagawara/Hakusensha

©Modomu Akagawara/Hakusensha

Merchandise Line-Up

©Modomu Akagawara/Hakusensha

Novelty Coasters

©Modomu Akagawara/Hakusensha

Love Me Pom Poko! is not that known in the West yet, but if you happen to be in Tokyo this month, be sure to stop on by to experience the art of the series yourself.

Global makeup brand KATE released its second animated video in collaboration with the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion on Tuesday (February 2) to promote its “KATE Red Nude Rouge (EV)” lipstick.

“Rei Ayanami, Her First Lipstick, And the Results”

Rei dons the vibrant red lipstick in the commercial.

“No more rules, this is a red for me and red only,” is what KATE expresses in the promotional video.

The person Rei was waiting for finally arrives, and she smiles, showing off the beautiful rouge tint on her lips.

KATE Red Nude Rouge (EV) is a limited-edition online-exclusive in 4 designs

How to

KATE released the first Rei Ayanami commercial in November last year. In it, the original voice actress for Rei, Megumi Hayashibara, reprised her role in the animated trailer which was created by illustrator and animator Yoneyama Mai. It exploded on Japanese social media, resulting in this sequel.

KATE’s slogan is “NO MORE RULES” which encourages consumers to pick the colours they want to wear themselves without being tied down by society. This concept has led them to innovate in their makeup products, and is a concept that they believe connects with Rei Ayanami from the Evangelion franchise, which is what led to this collaboration.

©カラー

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.

Kracie Home Products has announced that its 100% plant-based body soap brand ‘naive’ will launch its second collaboration with Sumikko Gurashi on March 8, 2021.

Left: Body Soap & Refill | Right: Body Soap (Reversible Design) & Refill

Sumikko Gurashi is a series of characters created by San-X, the company behind the internationally-iconic Rilakkuma. The characters are known for enjoying living a quiet and solitary life in corners, which is what their name translates to. Sumikko Gurashi won the annual Japan Character Award in 2019. An animated film, Sumikko Gurashi the Movie, was also released in 2019, with a second film set for release this year.

naive collaborated with Sumikko Gurashi last year, and due to the rave reviews from fans of the cute characters, they decided to hold a second collaboration. This time around, naive’s bubbly body soap bottles feature three different characters: the shy Neko, Penguin who is known for lacking self-confidence, and Tonkatsu who is a piece of leftover pork cutlet. The collection also includes refill bags with designs of all the corner-dwellers.

ADAM ET ROPE’, a Japanese clothing brand managed by JUN Co.,LTD., teamed up to release a collection of T-shirts and tote bags in collaboration with the Belgian premium chocolate brand GODIVA on Saturday (January 30).

The collection is inspired by GODIVA’s iconic pink van logo. The story of the van dates back to just after the Second World War. After the war, Brussels found itself in a state of depression. Pierre Draps, the chocolatier behind GODIVA, was saddened by the aftermath, and wanted to do his part to bring happiness wherever he went. He decided to paint his delivery van pink, in hopes of bringing joy to the people of Brussels, and drove it around during his chocolate deliveries.

The PROJECT PINK VAN collection was released at ADAM ET ROPE’ stores, J’aDoRe JUN ONLINE, and ZOZOTOWN in Japan on January 30. And from now until Valentine’s Day, customers who purchase any of these items will receive some free GODIVA chocolate. This offer is available in Japan only and while supplies last.

PROJECT PINK VAN Collection

PINK VAN T-SHIRT | ¥5,500 (Before Tax)

Colours: White/Black/Brown
Sizes: M/L/XL

GODIVA L/S T-SHIRT | ¥7,000 (Before Tax)

Colours: White/Black
Sizes: M/L/XL

GODIVA TOTE BAG | ¥3,500

Colours: Black/Camel/Camo

A new series of tote bags by the Japanese company Marushin has hit Village Vanguard’s online shop in Japan. The collection features five designs of the cute character Curious George. Each bag is measured at 34.5cm x 32cm, making them the perfect size for popping out shopping.

Curious George Tote Bag Series

Profile George Tote Bag | ¥1,430

I Wanna Play Tote Bag | ¥1,430

Happy Little Monkey Tote Bag | ¥1,430

Best Day Ever Tote Bag | ¥1,430

George And Friends Tote Bag | ¥1,430

If you love the Cells at Work! manga and anime series, and enjoy a cup of Japanese sake, then you won’t want to miss out on a bottle of this sake released by Nexus in collaboration with the sake brand Junmai Daiginjo Baibaikin on January 26.

Junmai Daiginjo Baibaikin | ¥6,600 (Tax Included)

Original label design

Original box

Junmai Daiginjo Baibaikin is a brand of refined sake made from carefully-selected rice milled down to 39%.It has a fruity taste of mango and black currant making for a delightful balance of sweetness and acidic kick. The bottle is wrapped with an original label design made in the traditional Japanese sumiefuu ink painting style and with an illustration of White Blood Cell from the Cells at Work! series.

Ⓒ清水茜／講談社・アニプレックス・davidproduction　ⓇKODANSHA　©Nexus Co., Ltd.