Tag Archives: Hello Kitty

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

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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.

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Japan LA and Little Tokyo Shops DESTROYED by Los Angeles Rioters

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**This is NOT related to the RECENT 2025 Los Angeles Protests**

People took to the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31st for what began as a peaceful protest for the death of George Floyd, who died Monday after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Minneapolis Police Department officer, Derek Chauvin.

The protest later became violent as rioters took over the peaceful protest and, began attacking Los Angeles Police Department squad cars and setting them on fire. The protest turned riot, later made its way to affluent areas of Los Angeles including Rodeo Drive, Little Tokyo, Melrose Ave, and The Grove outdoor shopping mall.

Local businesses and shops around those areas were looted and/or set on fire during the riot prompting a mandatory curfew on the city Los Angeles and heavy police activity.

Caught by ABC 7 Action News, shows rioters breaking into well-known anime gift shop JapanLA on Melrose ave.

[Video taken down by ABC 7]

Dozens of looters entered the premises taking whatever they could find. According to a post by JapanLA:

“They [police] finally cleared them out and arrested some of the looters. We are all crushed and deeply saddened. Thank you for all the texts. We all left at 4:30pm and our staff is home safe. I’ll send more updates soon!” They released a security camera photo that shows two suspects looting the store.

In the past, we’ve covered a few events in this and their new Little Tokyo location.

A few shops and a pharmacy were broken into and looted in the early morning hours of May 30th, in the Little Tokyo district.


According to the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center,

“Businesses in Little Tokyo were looted last night. This was not done by protesters but by people who decided to take advantage of the grief and angst of others for their personal gain.“

Brian Kito of the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association expressed concern over the close proximity of Little Tokyo to City Hall and LAPD headquarters stating,

“[It] would leave [Little Tokyo] vulnerable during civil unrest. During the L.A. riots in 1992, windows were smashed at Japanese Village Plaza, Weller Court, and what was then the New Otani Hotel on Los Angeles Street.”

LAPD headquarters a block away from the Little Tokyo district

Gov. Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Los Angeles after approving Mayor Eric Garcetti’s request to deploy the National Guard. National Guard arrived at 12am on May 31st, 2020.

Los Angeles’ curfew will stay in place from 8 p.m. Saturday through 5 a.m. Sunday.

——————–

Source: Rafu Shimpo, ABC7 Action News, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

Hello Kitty Grand Cafe officially opens in California

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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!

GUDETAMA’s Creator/Designer visits SANRIO in Little Tokyo

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Since 2013, Gudetama (ぐでたま) made its debut as a Sanrio character. Gudetama became an instant STAR with Gudetama theme cafes, stores and even a Gudetama themed menu in Los Angeles back in 2015.

Gudetama’s origins begin with a character design contest held by Sanrio back in 2013, coming in 2nd to Kirimi-chan.

Fastword to 2018, Gudetama’s creator/designer, AMY (Emi Nagashima) visits the Sanrio store in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, making this her first visit ever.

Gudetama fans stood in line to receive a signed drawing of Gudetama from AMY.

As AMY made a special appearance in Los Angeles, Aggretsuko creator/designer visited the Sanrio store in San Francisco for the continuation of Aggretsuko’s Den Of Rage event.

With Gudetama & Aggretsuko becoming instant stars & both characters getting their own TV series (Gudetama: TBS & Aggretsuko: Netflix), it’s only a matter of time before Sanrio develops yet another super cute and adorable character we can all be be obsessed with.

Here’s our photoset from AMY’s visit:

AMY at work
AMY signs a Gudetama book for a fan
AMY and I
Gudetama and I
Gudetama & my assistant, Vincent

Take a look at out video as well:

Who’s your favorite SANRIO character? Comment below!

Aggretsuko’s Den of Rage: Why do you like Aggretsuko?

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Since the beginning of Aggretsuko Den of Rage event, we’ve been covering the event as it took place in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA!

Find Aggretsuko
Aggretsuko decor.

On the last day of the event, May 28th 2018, we asked seven different Aggretsuko fans about their love for the METAL red panda, Watch our video, maybe you can relate:

Til’ next time, Aggretsuko…

Aggretsuko X Amoeba Music

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Aggretsuko collaborated at hollywood’s iconic music store, Amoeba Music!

All attendees received Aggretsuko SWAG plus whatever fans bought: Amoeba X Aggretsuko shirt OR Amoeba tote bag:

Aggretsuko temp tattoos
My Amoeba music X Aggretsuko tote bag
Aggretsuko SWAG!

Here’s our photoset + small event video:

Amoeba front entrance. Line was already outsde.
Aggretsuko decor.
Small Aggretsuko ‘shoppe’
Though the line was LONG, it was speedy.
Find Aggretsuko
I got to see her again ♥
I got to see her again ♥

Want to meet AGGRETSUKO?

Aggretsuko’s DEN of RAGE has been EXTENDED!!! The RAGE will continue at Sanrio Japanese Village until 5/28/18!!! More information here.

AGGRETSUKO APPEARANCE DETAILS: 
-Friday, May 25th – 6pm to 9:30pm
-Saturday, May 26th – 12pm to 4:30pm
-Sunday, May 27th – 12pm to 4:30pm

Aggretsuko’s Den Of Rage (ONGOING Event!) *EVENT EXTENDED*

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Aggretsuko made another LIVE appearance, in Little Tokyo’s Sanrio store in Los Angeles.

As you may remember, Aggretsuko debuted in 2015 and quickly became a sensation! She made her first LIVE appearance in Los Angeles on September of 2017.

In honor of Aggretsuko newest Netflix series, Little Tokyo’s Japanese village Sanrio store set up an ‘office’ pop up with Aggretsuko herself in furson!

 

One the first of the event, attendees were given this holographic limited edition pin:

MISSED OUT? EVENT is still ongoing, check the dates below!

Check our photoset from the event:

 

2018

I was reunited with my favorite metal girl:

 

2017
2018

AFTER MAY 12TH Aggretsuko will NOT be making an appearance at Little Tokyo’s Sanrio store, however, the pop-up office will still be there until MAy 16th alongside limited official Aggretsuko merch!

DEN OF RAGE event has been extended through May 28th! New Aggretsuko appearance dates are as follows:
-Friday, May 25th – 6pm to 9:30pm
-Saturday, May 26th – 12pm to 4:30pm
-Sunday, May 27th – 12pm to 4:30pm

Click here to find out more! 

WANT MORE?

In collaboration with Amoeba Music, Aggretsuko will be making a special appearance at Hollywood’s Amoeba Music store & its San Francisco store ON MAY 17TH & 19TH:

HOLD ON, THERE’S A CATCH! 

In order to meet & take a photo with Aggretsuko, you must purchase the Aggretsuko X Amoeba Music Package:

Package: $30 each (limited to two packages per person) includes:

  • ** Limited edition Aggretsuko x Amoeba live screen printed t-shirt or tote bag. =Choose from two exclusive Aggretsuko x Amoeba designs and colors!
  • **Aggretsuko Lanyard
  • ** Aggretsuko Sticker
  • ** Meet and snap a photo with Aggretsuko herself in “rage mode

SEE YOU GUYS THERE!

For more information, please refer to the Amoeba Music event page on Facebook.

The PompompurinXChococat Menu

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Check out  PLANCHECK’S newest collaboration with SANRIO!

(Unfortunately, this promotional menu was only available from June 10th – July 10th and is no longer being served.)

This wasn’t the first collaborate between the two parties, last year, PlanCheck collaborated with SANRIO collaboration make the GUDETAMA Menu. We covered that here!

According to SANRIO’s official website, their first collaboration happened in 2014. it was part of Hello Kitty’s Hungry Hunt – a promotion in celebration of the pop icon’s 40th Anniversary.

check out our  PompompurinXChococat Menu Photoset:

1 / 24

Its safe to say, there’ll be another collaboration soon, When that happens we are prepared to cover it yet again!

I was personally inspired by this awesome, Kawaii menu that I made a small photo shoot in its honour (Click an image to enlarge).

NOTICE:

We suffered a massive data loss recently and had to delay content for while. We are currently back on track. We do apologize for the delay of this post.

Hello Kitty Cafe is coming to SoCal!

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CALLING all SoCal Hello Kitty fans!

Hello Kitty cafes have been a huge hit in Asia, with a few popping up in Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and of course, Japan.

Various Hello Kitty Cafe locations

SoCal Hello Kitty fans are finally, going to enjoy official Hello Kitty sweets and treats!

Various  types of the treats served on the Hello Kitty Food Truck

Opening up some time next year, Sanrio Co. has decided to open up the first U.S.Hello Kitty cafe in Irvine, California! The cafe will serve Hello Kitty Tea, Sodas, coffee, Hello Kitty cookies & mini-cakes. Other Hello Kitty characters are said to make an appearance on the pastries such as, My keroppi, Little Twin Stars, & Chococat.

The Irvine Spectrum Center

Unfortunately for fans, there is no exact date when the cafe will actually open, HOWEVER, we can still join the Hello Kitty Experience by visiting the Hello Kitty temporary cafe Pop up at Irvine Spectrum Center.

The actual design of the Cafe that will soon open its doors

The Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up is a cafe designed within a metal shipping container and, according to Irvine Spectrum Center, is set to open in about 2 weeks  and is expected to be open for at least 7 months. This pop up cafe is serve everything the actual cafe serves and will be located at at the Giant Wheel Court.

People lined to get their Hello kitty sweets

Last week, fans were also able to enjoy the Hello Kitty experience at Glendale Galleria, where the Hello Kitty Food Truck made a special appearance. Take a look some of the photos from the event here!

Watch the event here:

Like Hello Kitty? Check out Sanrio’s newest Character, GUDETAMA Here!

 

The GUDETAMA Food Menu Overview

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© SANRIO

Gudetama is a Sanrio character introduced in 2013 based on an egg lacking in “spunk”. His name is a play on “gude gude”; used to describe someone with no energy or strength and possibly tama from tamago (egg). He is sometimes seen with a man in an orange/yellow costume that fully covers the body. Apart from being a popular character, Gudetama also has a short anime series on YouTube.

© SANRIO

I found the character very adorable though I never paid much attention to the actual character, at least not until now. During Stan Lee’s Comikaze 2015, I encountered Gudetama again & it was at the booth that I found out about the delicious Gudetama-inspired Menu at Plan Check Kitchen + Bar.

The GUDETAMA Menu – Meal Set

The Gudetama Menu was created by Chef Ernestor Urchimura, Founding Chef and Partner of Plan Check.

I decided to go and check out this menu for myself, and with the help of my assistant, I set out to find this
restaurant.

Watch my journey along with the Gudetama Menu overview here:

The Gudetama Menu is only served at Plan Check. There are 3 different Plan Check locations In Los Angeles:

-1800 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

-351 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

-1111 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017

This menu will only be available from Oct 30 ~ Nov 29, Check it out while you still can!

GIVEAWAY!

In honor of Gudetama & the Gudetama menu, we’ll be giving out 10 small Gudetama buttons!

Check out the video for instructions on how to get one