Category Archives: Sanrio

Hello Kitty Island Adventure Sets Sail for Nintendo Switch and PC on January 30, 2025

Leave a reply
Advertisements

The cozy life sim Hello Kitty Island Adventure, developed by Sunblink in collaboration with Sanrio, is expanding its reach to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on January 30, 2025. PlayStation 4 and 5 versions will follow later in the year. Pre-orders are now open for both Switch and Steam platforms.

From Mobile Phenomenon to Multi-Platform Adventure

Originally launched exclusively on Apple Arcade, Hello Kitty Island Adventure took the gaming world by storm in 2023. The game earned critical acclaim, winning the Apple Arcade Game of the Year and being nominated for Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards. It also secured a Webby People’s Voice Award, cementing its status as a fan favorite.

Sunblink’s CEO and founder, Julian Farrior, shared his excitement about the expansion:

“When we first debuted Hello Kitty Island Adventure on Apple Arcade, players discovered a world where friendship and kindness open doors and lift us up. Helping bring kindness, inclusion, and good vibes to more people is a tremendous honor, and we can’t wait for Switch and PC players to join the fun.”

– via press release

Craig Takiguchi, COO of Sanrio Inc., echoed these sentiments:

“Hello Kitty continues spreading smiles and her presence in the digital space with the expansion of Hello Kitty Island Adventure. For 50 years, Hello Kitty has connected generations through friendship, positivity, and kindness. Bringing the game to more platforms allows even more fans to immerse themselves in Sanrio’s world and create lasting memories with Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and other fan-favorite characters.”

– via press release

Welcome to Big Adventures Park

Players will join Hello Kitty and friends on a tropical island getaway teeming with secrets and surprises. At Big Adventures Park, players will help restore the once-thriving theme park while forging meaningful friendships with beloved Sanrio characters.

Key features include:

Explore a Massive World

  • Traverse diverse biomes, from Kuromi’s haunted mansion to Rainbow Reef’s underwater treasures. With over 100 hours of gameplay, uncover touching stories and exciting challenges.

Create Your Sanrio Avatar

  • Customize your character with dozens of features and collect hundreds of clothing items. Change your look anytime to match your vibe.

Craft, Collect, and Customize

  • Bake with Hello Kitty, fish with Badtz-Maru, solve puzzles, and decorate your dream island space.

Team Up in Multiplayer

  • Bring friends along to complete challenges, solve puzzles, and create beautiful vacation homes together.

No Microtransactions

  • Unlock everything through gameplay—no premium currency or hidden costs.

Coming Soon to More Platforms

Mark your calendars for January 30, 2025, when Hello Kitty Island Adventure lands on Nintendo Switch and PC. PlayStation versions will arrive later in 2025.

For more updates, join the official website, Discord, and follow Hello Kitty and Friends on X, TikTok, Instagram, and more.

Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!

Join 578 other subscribers
TRIGUN STARGAZE: English Voice Cast Reflects on the Final Chapter of a Legendary Sci-Fi Western
Trigun Stargaze's English dub finale approaches, with voice cast members reflecting on …
McDonald’s X KPop Demon Hunters: All You Need To Know
McDonald’s and Netflix are collaborating to launch KPop Demon Hunters meals, offering …
Universal Fan Fest Nights to Debut New ‘Sailor Moon’ Anime Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood will debut the original Japanese CG anime short film, …
Interview: Mangaka Shiten Akiyama on Creating HORIZON
HORIZON, created by Shiten Akiyama, challenges traditional manga through its blend of …
The Voices Behind Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Sentenced to Be a Hero | INTERVIEWS
Vtuber Krystal Vee interviews voice actors from three major anime series, discussing …
Kinema Citrus Marks 15th Anniversary With Original Anime Goodbye, Lara, Premiering July 2026
Kinema Citrus will celebrate its 15th anniversary with the premiere of its …
Running Girl Phase 2 Debuts Harajuku-Themed MV With BEAMS MANGART and tofubeats
The global music-anime project Running Girl debuted its second video featuring Michiko, …
TOKYOPOP Brings Alien Stage: The Art Book to English Readers in Stunning Hardcover Release
TOKYOPOP will publish Alien Stage: The Art Book in English on March …
Inside Anime’s Love Stories: Hana-Kimi, Hell’s Paradise & You and I Are Polar Opposites
Anime explores love in diverse forms, ranging from comedic to tragic. Interviews …
Hypnosis Mic Breaks New Ground With Interactive Division Rap Battle Movie
The multimedia franchise HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle- is expanding the boundaries of …

Beloved Kawaii Shop JAPANLA Reopens!

Leave a reply
Advertisements

JapanLA Reopens Flagship Store for Daily In-Person Shopping

Earlier this month, JapanLA, the beloved boutique renowned for its collection of Japanese Kawaii brands like Hello Kitty, had its grand reopening of its flagship store on La Brea Avenue. The store is now open daily for in-person shopping, bringing back the vibrant and immersive retail experience that fans have dearly missed.

Founded in 2006 by Jamie Rivadeneira, JapanLA has long been a cornerstone of the Kawaii community in Los Angeles. The store has not only offered a unique selection of adorable merchandise but also hosted numerous pop-up shops, curated events, art shows, and fashion shows. It has even produced licensed Sanrio products, creating a magical space for fans of all ages.

In 2020, JapanLA closed its physical doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, the store quickly adapted by pivoting to a digital business model, introducing livestream shopping shows that allowed customers to engage and shop together from the safety of their homes. This innovative approach kept the community spirit alive and thriving, even during the most challenging times of quarantine.

Despite the success of their digital model, JapanLA knew that nothing could replace the joy of in-store shopping. In June 2022, they began to reopen on weekends for in-person shopping and hosted monthly mascot events. Their popular live streams expanded to TikTok Shop, earning them a spot among the top 10 shows on the platform.

Responding to the growing demand for real-life shopping experiences and their viral popularity on TikTok, JapanLA has decided to open its doors every day of the week. This exciting development means that fans can now visit the store whenever they wish, enjoying the whole JapanLA experience once again.

JapanLA remains a vibrant gathering place where fans can celebrate their favorite characters, make new friends, and create lasting memories with their loved ones. The JapanLA team expresses immense gratitude for the unwavering support of their loyal customers and the wider community.

Come and visit JapanLA at:
233 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

  • Mon – Fri: 11am – 5pm
  • Sat: 11am – 7pm
  • Sun: 11am – 6pm

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the Kawaii world, JapanLA looks forward to welcoming you back to their magical store. Stay tuned for upcoming event coverage from events hosted by JapanLA.

Subscribe to our articles, and don’t miss upcoming, exclusive content!

Join 578 other subscribers
TRIGUN STARGAZE: English Voice Cast Reflects on the Final Chapter of a Legendary Sci-Fi Western
Trigun Stargaze's English dub finale approaches, with voice cast members reflecting on …
McDonald’s X KPop Demon Hunters: All You Need To Know
McDonald’s and Netflix are collaborating to launch KPop Demon Hunters meals, offering …
Universal Fan Fest Nights to Debut New ‘Sailor Moon’ Anime Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood will debut the original Japanese CG anime short film, …
Interview: Mangaka Shiten Akiyama on Creating HORIZON
HORIZON, created by Shiten Akiyama, challenges traditional manga through its blend of …
The Voices Behind Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Sentenced to Be a Hero | INTERVIEWS
Vtuber Krystal Vee interviews voice actors from three major anime series, discussing …
Kinema Citrus Marks 15th Anniversary With Original Anime Goodbye, Lara, Premiering July 2026
Kinema Citrus will celebrate its 15th anniversary with the premiere of its …
Running Girl Phase 2 Debuts Harajuku-Themed MV With BEAMS MANGART and tofubeats
The global music-anime project Running Girl debuted its second video featuring Michiko, …
TOKYOPOP Brings Alien Stage: The Art Book to English Readers in Stunning Hardcover Release
TOKYOPOP will publish Alien Stage: The Art Book in English on March …
Inside Anime’s Love Stories: Hana-Kimi, Hell’s Paradise & You and I Are Polar Opposites
Anime explores love in diverse forms, ranging from comedic to tragic. Interviews …
Hypnosis Mic Breaks New Ground With Interactive Division Rap Battle Movie
The multimedia franchise HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle- is expanding the boundaries of …

“Hello Kitty Island Adventure” Launches on July 28

Leave a reply
Advertisements

From video game developer Sunblink and Sanrio comes Hello Kitty Island Adventure, a cozy, life sim game! The game invites players to embark on a tropical getaway where friends and adventures are always just around the corner. 

Game Synopsis

When My Melody is invited to open a gift shop at Big Adventures Park, she invites Hello Kitty and friends—including you- to come for a tropical island adventure. But things go sideways upon arrival, with the friends separated, and the park found abandoned. Join forces with Hello Kitty to restore the desolate theme park to its former glory and create the ultimate island paradise!

The game will feature iconic Sanrio characters, including Kuromi, Badtz-Maru, Cinnamoroll, Chococat, and Aggretsuko! Reminiscent of games such as Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon, Hello Kitty island Adventure will allow players to custom-make their own Sanrio-style avatars. You can share gifts, complete quests, and participate in island activities to deepen your bonds with other Sanrio characters.

Spruce up cabins to attract new visitors from among Hello Kitty’s many friends. Create a stylish wardrobe, solve mysterious puzzles, cook delectable recipes, collect friendly critters and fish, and explore the island solo or with a friend to unearth the many secrets of a massive in-game world.

Join forces with Hello Kitty and her friends to restore cuteness and glory to your theme park!

“At the heart of everything we do at Sanrio are our core values of friendship, kindness, and inclusivity,” said Jill Koch, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Brand Management, and Creative at Sanrio, Inc. “In our newest game featuring Hello Kitty and friends, giving gifts, spreading kindness, and creating smiles is front-and-center. As in life, acts of kindness can engender incredible warmth and make such a positive impact on people’s lives. And since Sunblink’s mission is to create kind, collaborative, and imaginative games, we knew they were the right development partner.”

Join Kitty Hello and her friends on July 28th exclusively on the Apple Arcade. For more information, visit the official website of Hello Kitty Island Adventure here. Watch the trailer,

Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!

Join 578 other subscribers

Check our other content here:

TRIGUN STARGAZE: English Voice Cast Reflects on the Final Chapter of a Legendary Sci-Fi Western
Trigun Stargaze's English dub finale approaches, with voice cast members reflecting on …
McDonald’s X KPop Demon Hunters: All You Need To Know
McDonald’s and Netflix are collaborating to launch KPop Demon Hunters meals, offering …
Universal Fan Fest Nights to Debut New ‘Sailor Moon’ Anime Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood will debut the original Japanese CG anime short film, …
Interview: Mangaka Shiten Akiyama on Creating HORIZON
HORIZON, created by Shiten Akiyama, challenges traditional manga through its blend of …
The Voices Behind Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Sentenced to Be a Hero | INTERVIEWS
Vtuber Krystal Vee interviews voice actors from three major anime series, discussing …
Kinema Citrus Marks 15th Anniversary With Original Anime Goodbye, Lara, Premiering July 2026
Kinema Citrus will celebrate its 15th anniversary with the premiere of its …

Meet the DEATH METAL VOICE of AGGRETSUKO; Jamison Boaz

1 Reply
Advertisements

Many voice actors start off their career in radio or theater but for Jamison Boaz, the voice actor life began with his passion for music. Jamison’s musical projects vary in genre, from EDM to Heavy Metal or in many cases, a mixture of both.

Jamison has had various musical projects over the years, including a heavy metal band Modern Weapons which featured numerous voice actors including, Kyle Hubert and Reuben Langdon.

His most recent and current, multi-genre musical work, Epsilon Zero is self described as the expression of one human soul on an epic journey through time and space on a vessel built of steel and circuits. Take a listen to Jamison’s latest music through his official Band Camp page here.

In other recent news, Jamison is collaborating with Rocket Panda games on the soundtrack for the newest addition to the Phantom Breaker fighter game series, Phantom Breaker: Omnia. However, Jamison’s talents go beyond musical work.

PHANTOM BREAKER: OMNIA KEYART

Switching from music studios to ADR studios, It is in this area that he began working as additional voices on various projects beginning with Resident Evil 5 in 2012. Because of Jamison’s musical background as a heavy metal musician, In 2018 Jamison got the role of Death Metal Retsuko; AGGRETSUKO! A role he shares with Erica Mendez who voices Retsuko.

AGGRESTUKO – CHOKE ON MY RAGE!

We had the pleasure of speaking with Jamison Boaz regarding his role in Netflix’s Aggrestuko series and his overall career. Take a listen we speak about Aggretsuko, the OTM Girls CD, the music behind the series and even death metal voice lessons, all this and more in our interview below:

GIVEAWAY

Answer the question at the end of our interview in the comment section, for your chance to win an AGGRETSUKO BUNDLE that includes:

-Signed OTM Girls CD (Signed by Jamison Boaz)


-Signed Aggretsuko Print (Signed by Jamison Boaz)


-Exclusive Aggretsuko Plush!

Deadline to enter is 10/31/2020

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe officially opens in California

Leave a reply
Advertisements

Since our initial announcement, the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe officially opened at The Irvine Spectrum in Irvine California!

Needless to say, the grand opening brought a FULL house on the first day of service. 
Needless to say, the grand opening brought a FULL house on the first day of service. 

The Hello Kitty Grand Cafe is now officially opened. Previously, the Irvine Spectrum had a temporary cafe Pop up that was in service for two years and half from 2015 – summer of 2018.

Concept design of the temporary cafe Pop up that was in service from 2015 – 2018

There are two sections of the cafe; One, the cafe which serves cakes, cookies and other Hello Kitty pastries. The second section is The Bow Room, which serves Afternoon Tea or evening Cocktail Service.

The entry door to The Bow Room
Photo Via Sanrio.com

Bow Room hours are as follows:

AFTERNOON TEA HOURS:
•Wednesday-Friday: 11am-4pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 10am-4pm

COCKTAIL SERVICE HOURS:
• Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 5pm-9pm
• Friday and Saturday 5pm-11pm

You can also make reservations for the Bow Room here. We suggest you plan out your trip as there are other wonderful place to explore within the Irvine Spectrum.
Here are the official Cafe hours:

These hours are for the first section of the Cafe.

Check our photoset from the grand opening:

Needless to say, the grand opening brought a FULL house on the first day of service. 
Needless to say, the grand opening brought a FULL house on the first day of service. 
The entry door to The Bow Room

While you’re visiting Irvine, California, make sure to also visit Hello Kitty’s latest collaboration with Tanaka Farms for their Hello Kitty X Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch. Read our article about that here!