PAC-MAN is one of the most important characters in video game history, so celebrating his birthday is a given! Bandai Namco has announced a number of projects to take place in 2022 based on the theme of ‘Be PAC-TIVE!!’

PAC-MAN Official Theme Song, We are PAC-MAN!

The ‘Be PAC-TIVE’ initiative wants to inspire people to eat well and live well, and to place more importance on cultivating a healthy body and mind. PAC-MAN’s circular shape is also symbolic of a circle of friends, harmony, the spirit of cooperation, and the shape of the planet we all inhabit. Who knew that a simple character and game like PAC-MAN could be so deep?

We are PAC-MAN! (Japanese ver.):  https://youtu.be/JKque0N2bww
We are PAC-MAN! (English ver.): https://youtu.be/5_JzxszEpmc
We are PAC-MAN! (Chinese ver.): https://space.bilibili.com/287390748

PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ Commemorative T-Shirt

The PAC-MAN MUSEUM+, which includes 14 classic and modern titles from the PAC-MAN universe, will soon be available. New T-Shirts commemorating the release will be available on Amazon starting May 23. The birthday version of the shirt will be released on June 23, and will feature the key visual alongside a festive newly-drawn illustration. 

Collaboration with Popular Online Game Fortnite

PAC-MAN will also be teaming up with the globally-popular online game Fortnite starting June 2! Players will be able to purchase items with a PAC-MAN motif.

It’s likely that you haven’t played a PAC-MAN game in a while, so why not pick one up for old times’ sake?

PAC-MAN MUSEUM™+ & ©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
“PlayStation”および“PS4”は、株式会社ソニー・インタラクティブエンタテインメントの登録商標または商標です。
Nintendo Switchは任天堂の商標です。
STEAM および STEAM ロゴは、米国およびまたはその他の国の Valve Corporation の商標およびまたは登録商標です。

This August, collaboration merchandise between the popular series Tokyo Revenger and the character Rascal the Raccoon will be available at anime and hobby shops nationwide and Chugaionline. Preorders are open now!

Pin (12 varieties)

Acrylic Stand – Mini Character Ver. (6 varieties)

Acrylic Figure Stand (6 varieties)

Stuffed Animal Phone Strap (6 varieties)

Masking Tape

Stickers

Rubber Heart Keychain (6 varieties)

The new collection includes adorable items featuring newly-drawn illustrations of everyone’s favorite characters spending time together. Fans won’t want to miss grabbing items with their favorite Tokyo Revengers character dressed up as Rascal!

©和久井健・講談社／アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会
©NIPPON ANIMATION CO.,LTD.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu made a splash with music lovers around the world last month when she performed at Coachella, one of the largest music festivals on Earth. On May 21, Kyary performed in Tochigi, and the artist has released details about another collaboration as part of the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project, launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities.

In Tochigi, the singer will collaborate with Iwashita Foods, a staple in the prefecture for over 123 years. Locals recognize the company for its ginger and spicy pickled shallots, but they also keep coming back because of the worker’s sincerity and kindness. The Iwashita New Ginger has been a best-seller since 1987, and through active collaborations with local companies and the Iwashita New Ginger Museum, this popularity continues. Ginger can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages and all ethnicities in countless ways. 

The collaboration logo made as part of the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project combines the Iwashita New Ginger mascot with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu from the super-pink Kimino Mikata music video released in 2018.

The collaboration has also introduced an Iwashita New Ginger and LPJP collaboration set, including five popular ginger products and two collaboration pins in a special gift bag. The pins feature designs of both the official Iwashita New Ginger character and the Kyary 10th Anniversary version created for the collaboration. The set will be available at the Iwashita New Ginger Online Shop and the Iwashita New Ginger Museum starting on May 25.

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. It will be available for two weeks only starting May 19, so grab one while you can!

During the Tochigi performance, the popular collaboration Toge no Kamamaeshi from Gunma-based ekiben maker Oginoya was available again for a very limited time! The tasty dishes sold out immediately at the Gunma and Tokyo shows, and this new release will incorporate Iwashita New Ginger. As it turns out, the pink quail eggs in the original release were pickled using Iwashita New Ginger pickling liquid! This collab was clearly meant to be. 

The triple-collaboration Toge no Kamameshi was sold in a limited quantity of 200 at the Tochigi venue on May 21. 

Toei Kyoto Studio Park will be holding a special collaboration with the rhythm game BlackStar ~Theater Starless~ for a limited time, from June 4 until July 10, 2022.

Goods Lineup

Newly-drawn Illustrations

Mini Characters

The Theater Starless Uzumaki Branch will be open inside the park during the event period. 26 themed cast members will even be greeting guests! 

A stamp rally will be taking place along the Keifuku Randen Tram Line and during the event, a special train featuring a newly-drawn illustration of the five main characters and 26 mini-characters will be running through the streets of Kyoto!

Limited tickets will be sold for a number of collaborative events being held in the park, so be sure to grab yours while you can!

©DOUNUTS

Japanese convenience store chain Ministop has just released some original sweets inspired by Sanrio’s most popular characters! The sweets are served up in adorable glasses and are only available while supplies last.

Sanrio Characters Black Tea Brownie

Design: Kerokerokeroppi, Hello Kitty, Tuxedo Sam, Marroncream

Sanrio Characters Chocolate Brownie

The pastel-colored glasses have a retro feel and can be reused as drinking glasses or containers for homemade sweets. Sustainable and adorable, come grab these brownies while you can!

Ⓒ 2022 SANRIO CO.,LTD

On May 18, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu traveled to Chiba to take a ride on the Kyary Train, a collaborative train currently in operation on the Choushi Electric Railway! The collaboration is part of the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project, launched to energize Japan by marketing the appeal of regional towns and cities. The singer also attended a special event celebrating the redesigned Kannon Station with Choshi mayor Shinichi Koshikawa and Choshi Electric Railway president Katsunori Takemoto in attendance. 

In January, Kyary began the largest tour of her career, ‘Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 CANDY WAVE,’ with the artist performing 30 shows across Japan. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched, which aims to bring attention and support to local industries and to inspire more tourism to rural areas impacted negatively by the pandemic. In April, Kyary announced a collaboration with Chiba’s Choushi Electric Railway. The railway President is known for his self-deprecating jokes, noting that the railway has seen a serious lack of ridership over the last decade. Fittingly, the collaboration is based on Kyary’s hit song Mondai Girl (Problem Girl). The Kyary Train began operations on the first day of Golden Week, attracting a huge crowd. Surprisingly, the singer herself took time out of her tour to ride the train herself!

Upon arrival at the Choshi Dentetsu platform, the Kyary Train appeared, decorated with the collaboration design on the first car. Kyary, seeing the train in person for the first time, greeted it with a happy wave. Upon boarding, the interior was decorated with pink, yellow, and blue balloons inspired by the music video for Mondai Girl. “It’s so cute,” Kyary exclaimed. Other decorations placed in the train also pull from the video, including triangular accents based on Kyary’s outfit and spikes inspired by the male dancer’s hairstyles. The in-train ads feature “problematic” confessions from riders, citizens of Choushi, and Kyary herself. After a while, the departure sound plays, incorporating the phrase Mondai Girl, and the train departs. During the 21-minute ride, Kyary guided riders through the many stations, with announcements playing as the train passed by notable locales. 

After the trip, the ‘Mondai ga Aru’ (There are Problems) event took place to show off the new interior of Kannon Station. Broken glass has been replaced and the interior features a light pink paint job, complete with an image of Kyary. Choshi mayor Shinichi Koshikawa and Choshi Electric Railway president Katsunori Takemoto expressed their gratitude. 

“Choshi Electric Railway is often the butt of jokes, but I think it takes courage to make those jokes. It’s because the railway is so honest that people are willing to come out and help,” Kyary said. “I’ll do my best so that my music and this railway will both be loved for 100 years.” 

A photo booth pulling inspiration from the press conference scene in the Mondai Girl music video has been also been added. Kyary took a seat to share details of a certain moment during Coachella that made a huge impact on her. During the second weekend performance, Kyary performed alone for the first time in her decade-long career after her dancers suffered from a sudden illness.

President Takemoto also spoke about a “problem”–too many people showed up to ride the Kyary Train during Golden Week, and the company ran out of its popular products halfway through the week! He also announced a new song, Choushi Mondai Girl, which he performed on guitar.

“If there’s a problem, this is a good opportunity to solve it. If we can overcome our problems, we can move on to the next stage. I hope that Choushi Electric Railway will continue to do its best,” Kyary said at the end of the event, inspiring warm applause from the crowd.

Be sure to check out the collaboration this spring and summer!

Mondai Girl Music Video

The Japanese loungewear brand gelato pique has launched a new series inspired by the twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei living at Ueno Zoo! The adorable new items went on sale on May 12, 2022. 

The Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan. Located in Taito-ku, it was first opened in March 1882.

To commemorate Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei’s first birthday, gelato pique has created an incredible collection of loungewear and sundries. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Giant Panda Conservation Support Fund to support education regarding pandas and conservation activities at the zoo.

Xiao Xiao & Lei Lei Collaboration

Roomwear Set

Panda Blanket

Panda Multi-use Cover

gelato pique Original Panda Series

Panda Hoodie & Shorts Set

Panda Print T-Shirt / Shorts / Dress

Panda Glass

Small Panda Reuseable Bag

Online Exclusives

3-piece Panda Set

gelato pique Sleep

3-piece Panda Print Bed Set (Single) / Pillow Case with Panda Ears / Panda Nightcap / Panda Rug

The Panda Series celebrates both the cute twin pandas at Ueno Zoo and all other pandas around the world. Still an endangered species, gelato pique wants to help these big animals however they can. The new collection’s theme is “happy time at home.”

Panda lovers shouldn’t miss grabbing something cozy from this new collection!

ARMA BIANCA, an online store specializing in original goods, is now taking orders for limited-time collaboration items between Touhou Project and One Night Werewolf!

Lineup

One Night Werewolf Collaboration – Pixel Art Ver.

Acrylic Stand

Preorder Purchase Bonus

Acrylic Keychain

Preorder Purchase Bonus

Pin

Preorder Purchase Bonus

T-Shirt

Hoodie

Clear Folder

Mug

Pen

One Night Werewolf is a card game where players take on the role of a Villager, a Werewolf, or a number of special characters with unique abilities. The goal is to figure out who the Werewolves are and to kill at least one in order to win!

The Touhou characters featured in the collaboration include Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Cirno, Youmu Konpaku, Sakuya Izayoi, Satori Komeiji, Koishi Komeiji, Remilia Scarlet, Flandre Scarlet, and Kagerou Imaizumi. 

To celebrate the first anniversary of the animated Studio Chizu film Belle, a special Cinematic Orchestra will be held on August 14 at the Tokyo International Forum. The event will feature a number of other beloved Studio Chizu works.

The event will feature a symphony orchestra performing songs from many Studio Chizu films while famous scenes play on an oversized screen. The works to be featured include The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, Mirai, and Belle.

Masakatsu Takagi will be playing piano while Hanako Oku and Ann Sally will be attending as guest vocalists.

Original merchandise will also be on sale at the venue, with some pieces featuring an incredible illustration of Belle from the feature film.

Which Studio Chizu film is your favorite?

Featured Works

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Summer Wars (2009)
Wolf Children (2012)
The Boy and the Beast (2015)
Mirai (2018)
Belle (2021)

Japan’s top streetwear brand A BATHING APE is releasing a new collection inspired by Dragon Ball Z! The two first collaborated in 2016 starting with imagery inspired by Son Goku’s childhood. In June 2020, the company released a collection themed around the Cell arc.

Lineup

The newest collection was inspired by the final arc of the series, the Buu Saga, expressed in the style of BABY MILO.

The main characters from the series–Goku, Vegeta, Majin Buu, and Piccolo–are all depicted in BABY MILO style. In addition, characters such as Mr. Satan and Uub appear, perfect for more hardcore fans wanting to see lesser-known characters represented.

The lineup includes a coach jacket and hoodie featuring newly-drawn illustrations inspired by the final episode. Don’t miss this special collaboration!

Ariake Garden at the Izumitenku public bath facility in Tokyo will be teaming up with Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club for the third time! The new collaboration will begin on June 6, 2022, and will include towels decorated with brand-new illustrations of the girls in yukata. Special drinks will also be for sale.

Original Merchandise

Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Towel

Izumitenku Bathhouse Original Bath Salts (Set of 2, Yukata version) / Includes random sticker (Yukata version)

Original Drawstring Bag

Collaboration Drinks

Why not come enjoy the world of Love Live while relaxing in a natural hot spring?

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s 10th-anniversary website, created by IN FOCUS studio, is now an award winner! The website won the ‘Site of the Day’ award for the best website of the day worldwide at the FWA and CSS Design Awards, the world’s leading awards for web design.

The site was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ASOBISYSTEM artist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. When visiting the site, fans are greeted with a slot machine created from images of the artist over the years, resulting in 1,000,000 different patterns. Filled with Kyary’s typical humor, the website was made to show gratitude to the millions of fans who have supported the artist over the years.

Last month, Kyary performed at Coachella, the world’s largest music festival. This marked her first US tour since the pandemic began in 2020. Upon her return to Japan, the artist began the second half of her 10th-anniversary tour, which will culminate in a solo performance at Nippon Budokan in October.

Comment from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

“…I’m shocked!!

I’m so happy that my 10th-anniversary website received such amazing awards! I just started the second half of my tour in Japan, and having received this awesome news, I’m even more excited to get out there and do my best on stage! To everyone at IN FOCUS–thank you so much for all the hard work you put into the site!”

Awards Won
FWA – FWA of the Day
CSS Design Awards – Site of the Day

Winning Site
KPP 10th Anniversary Special Website
https://kpp10.jp/