Hello Kitty Roomba

Via Hello Kitty Hell

For some reason, I am really happy for the double “L.”

Via Hello Kitty Hell

Just thought we would warn all your Japundits and Japundettes that Sanrio, creator of Hello Kitty, is launching more characters that are so cloyingly cute, they are guaranteed to set your teeth on edge in no time at all.

First are the two ballerina bunny sisters named Sugarminuet.

The older of the two is Ballet Usa (usa is short of usagi, or “rabbit” in Japanese), a make-up loving ballerina with a swan’s grace and pink fur. The younger is Prima Usa, a dreamy and romantic white bunny; both sport sparkly tiaras.

Debuting on August 8th, the pair have already established a line of goods that includes plush toys, stationary, and bags—all in a ballerina-esque blend of white and sugar pink and trimmed with ruffles, ribbons, and roses.

Still not gagging yet? Well how about Sanrio’s Cherinacherine, two little bears who live in a cherry forest?

Makes me want to go out and find something cute. . . so I can stomp on it.

Via CScout Japan

No need to look uncute as your home and the world as you know it is crashing down all around you with this fashionably pink Hello Kitty disaster kit, which includes:

• Disaster hood (covering Body)
• Flame retardant blanket
• Pouch
• Crime-prevention buzzer
• Bandanas

Price: 9,800 yen

I can’t remember where I found this, so if someone would like to claim credit for it, please drop me a line.

Gold & Jewelry Tamaya of Sapporo has started selling an 18-carat gold Hello Kitty mobile phone strap.

Tamaya came out with the mobile phone strap to mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of the series of Hello Kitty products made to commemorate particular places in Japan. The 1.8 gram gold Hello Kitty was made by Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry in Tokyo’s Ginza. Normally, Hello Kitty has a red ribbon in her hair, but the mobile phone strap version uses a lavender-colored ribbon as lavender is strongly associated with Hokkaido.

Lavender is said to mean “waiting for you,” and the jewelers are eagerly awaiting orders.

Price: 50,000 yen

Not enough Hello Kitty in your life yet?

Well, get ready for more as the mouthless wonder has been named a government envoy.

Japan’s tourism ministry on Monday named Hello Kitty as its choice to represent the country in China and Hong Kong, two places where she is wildly popular among kids and young women.

Officials hope tapping into that fan base will lead to a bigger flow of tourists into Japan and push the country closer to the goal of attracting 10 million overseas visitors every year under the “Visit Japan” campaign.

Last year the number of foreign tourists traveling to Japan hit a record high of 8.35 million, up 60 percent since the government began the marketing effort in 2003.

Arrivals from China and Hong Kong, who accounted for 16.5 percent of visitors to Japan last year, are poised this year to become the second-largest group of tourists after South Koreans.

At a press conference, Sanrio Co. President Shintaro Tsuji, whose company created the toy cat, called Hello Kitty’s new appointment “an honor” and pledged the feline would “work hard to attract many visitors.”

Big thanks to RTN.

What else is there left to say?

Via Hello Kitty Hell

Even dirty laundry can be cute!

Via Hello Kitty Hell

Hello Kitty Hell has uncovered further evidence, if any were needed, of the evil of Kitty-chan.

“This is what Guatemalan anti-narcotics police found when they seized 1.2 tons of the cocaine on its way to Mexico on April 13th.”

HKH reflects

Cocaine and Hello Kitty display an awful lot of the same properties when it comes to addiction so combining them together probably seemed like the perfect move for Sanrio. If you have ever had to deal with a Hello Kitty fanatic in your life, you already have wondered if they were high on something whenever Hello Kitty is mentioned.

Actually, upon further reflection, this is probably the worst thing that could ever happen. Seriously, can you think of anything more Hello Kitty Hellish that a Hello Kitty fanatic on cocaine…?

Since food is such a hot topic here on Japundit, here’s an item that helps you to statisfy your hunger along with your need for a regular Hello Kitty fix. . . Hello Kitty canned ramen.

No word on where you might be able to buy some, but we hear it costs 10,080 for a pack of 24.

Via C Scout Japan

Thanks to remora.

Download these Win Amp skins at the risk of Hello Kitty O.D. at Be Cool Gal’s Hello Kitty World. . .

CAUTION! Not Safe For Kitty Haters (NSFKH)

Sanrio has unveiled a giant Hello Kitty statue at its Shinjuku store. Standing 2.5 meters tall, the statue is said to be the largest Hello Kitty figure in the world.

“Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world, so Kitty must be here and must be big,” said Sanrio official Shuichi Chimura. “She is really loved worldwide. This way, every person in the world can come here and see and touch Hello Kitty.”

Remember the Hello Kitty assault rifle that so many people, including many JAPUNDIT readers, claimed was a fake?

Well. . . .

Via Hello Kitty Hell

I don’t know what is grosser. . . The medium or the message. . .

Via Hello Kitty Hell

Over at Travelhappy they’ve got a pretty amazing collection photos of Hello Kitty fashion mashups that depict the Mouthless Princess in a variety of not-so-Kitty-like poses and settings. All of the items were found on sale in Bangkok, Thailand.

As found in a Bangkok mall yesterday - the Sin City / Hello Kitty handbag mashup! We bought one, naturally. We’d have bought 10 if they had them. This is just one of a bunch of clever mashups between Hello Kitty and other famous films, obviously breaking every copyright in the book but undeniably creative all the same. (Although the Hello Kitty Vibrator might be taking it a bit too far). There’s a lot of this stuff in Bangkok as there is a burgeoning design and fashion scene here, with lots of university students et al working as mini-entrepeneurs too.

Neko is Japanese for “cat.”

Thanks to Tina and Len

Perhaps sensing that they are finally reaching the end of their creative rope (I hope) or maybe feeling that women have had their fill of the mouthless wonder (I doubt it), Sanrio has decided for the first time to start producing T-shirts, bags, watches and other products that target young men.

“We think Hello Kitty is accepted by young men as a design statement in fashion,” [company spokesman Kazuo Tohmatsu] said.

The feline for-men products will go on sale in Japan next month, and will be sold soon in the U.S. and other Asian nations, according to Sanrio.

The shape of Hello Kitty was altered slightly to give her a more rugged and cool look that Sanrio hopes will appeal to teens and young adult men.

“Young men these days grew up with character goods,” said Tohmatsu. “That generation feels no embarrassment about wearing Hello Kitty.”

See JAPUNDIT posts on Hello Kitty here.

Thanks to Vin Alsace.

Where, oh where will it ever end?

Via Hello Kitty Hell

I don’t know if this product is for cat lovers or cat haters. . . A Hello Kitty outfit for your puss.

Price: 18,000 yen

Via Rinkya

Hello Kitty debuts in Macy’s Thansgiving Day Parade, one of three new giant helium balloons. The other two new balloons:
Shrek, and “Sesame Street’s” Abby Cadabby. There are 11 giant helium balloons in the parade.

Macy’s Thansgiving Day Parade photo streams:
Fox News
Yahoo