BT21 is a character brand made in collaboration with LINE FRIENDS and BTS, a South Korean boy band.   It’s been announced that the brand will get its own themed cafes in Omotesando, Shinjuku and Shinsaibashi serving food inspired by each character in BT21. They also plan to sell original merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. If you want to go any of the cafes, you need to sign up in advance for a chance to be selected from a lottery draw. As a bonus for signing up (and being chosen), you can receive a sticker randomly selected from a possible 8 designs. Additionally, if you order from the drink’s menu, you’ll get a coaster selected from a possible 6.   Registration is now open, so you’d best be quick if you want to go!    

The Pompompurin Café in Nagoya themed on the popular character Pompompurin from the Sanrio franchise is teaming up Japanese variety show Boy Boy Mugendai by BOYS AND MEN. The collaborative menu will be available for a limited period from August 21 to September 30. BOYS AND MEN are an entertainment group that was formed in 2010 by people who were born and live in the Tokai region of Japan. They have many members who are regulars on TV and radio shows in the the Tokai area. The collaboration is based on a skit by BOYS AND MEN titled Family ('Usuika no Hitobito').

"Pompompurin x Usuika no Hitobito" - Showa-Style Noodle Set

Price: ¥1,490 (+Tax)

  This surreal dish is made in the image of the father's wig from the Usui family. It includes classic soba noodles with sauce and omelette as well as mayonnaise and seaweed.

"Pompompurin x BM / YanKee5" - Red Hot Espuma Ramen Set

Price: ¥1,490 (+Tax)

  This fiery red hot ramen packs a punch thanks to the cayenne pepper and chili oil. It's topped with potato espuma which creates a mild balance with the heat of the dish.

"Pompompurin x BM / Makoto" - Cotton Candy Pancake

Price: ¥1,290 (+Tax)

  The pink colour fluffy cotton candy is inspired by the theme colour of Makoto's leader. When you pour over the accompanying milk syrup it reveals a pancake of the other three members' colours together with vanilla ice cream and Pompompurin. There are 3 different flavoured pancakes to choose from.  

Limited Edition Original Design Merchandise

  You can get your hands on one postcard per food item you order from the menu. You can also get a coaster when you order a drink. When you order both a drink and food you'll receive a lunch mat. These items will no longer be available once the collaboration ends.   Be sure to head on over to the Pompompurin Café in Nagoya whether you're a fan of Pompompurin or BOYS AND MEN to enjoy this collaboration for yourself!    

Each month, a new themed café or menu is introduced in Japan in collaboration with popular characters. There's a whole list of kawaii ones that make an appearance every time.   Let's take a look at some character cafés you can look forward to in August 2018.   'Over Action Rabbit' x VANDALISM Shibuya Over Action Rabbit is a popular stamp series used on the LINE and Kakao Talk messenger apps that has gained much attention in Japan and particularly with young people in South Korea. The cute and lovable rabbit is getting his own themed café that will be open for a limited period between July 21 and August 26. This is the first time a café has collaborated with Over Action Rabbit in Japan. The kawaii café will take the form of his surreal world and be decorate in pastel-coloured decor. They also have a takeout menu. Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/118092       The Very Hungry Caterpillar x Marione Gate Ginza The internationally beloved children's picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar has its own café in Japan, and they've introduced some eye-catching new menu items for the summer. Everything delicious thing on the menu recreates the wonderful world of the story down to the finest of details that are sure to leave you smiling! Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/107654       Gudetama x Dining Park Ikebukuro To celebrate Gudetama's 5th anniversary, he's launched into space to bring us a very special space-themed menu packed with dishes perfect for Instagram feeds, such as the Zero Gravity Gudetama Burger, Black Hole Jar Parfait, and much more. Drink and dine at the café to receive a limited edition Gudetama fan and coaster. Keep in mind these are limited in quantity, so you'll want to visit quick! Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/112954       Chiitan☆ x Harajuku Kawaii-ya Located down Takeshita Street, Harajuku's iconic shopping spot, is Harajuku Kawaii-ya, a café that has teamed up with the kawaii otter mascot Chiitan☆. Running until September 9, the menu is filled with dishes with very unique names in Japanese which translate to things like "I'm Chiitan, the One Who Destroyed the Trampoline Someone Bought For Me... Hot Pie." You don't need to make any reservations. It's first-come, first-served all day making it an easy place to get into if you're unsure how to book in Japanese. Experience the world of Chiitan☆ in Harajuku!       Cinnamoroll x Sapporo PARCO Sanrio’s popular character Cinnamoroll recently won the 33rd Sanrio 2018 Character Awards  so to celebrate, he received his very own themed café which is open at Sapporo PARCO until September 10. Enjoy the Soratobu Cinnamoroll Curry featuring Cinnamoroll flying through a green curry sky with his big ears. The dish is topped with cotton candy clouds which, when mixed with the curry, creates a unique flavour of sweet and spicy. There's a whole list of cute dishes on the menu. Cinnamoroll and his pals will also be there to greet you as staff. Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/116613       Cardcaptor Sakura x Sakura Fantasy Cafe The Sakura Fantasy Caf is a new collaborative café themed on the latest entry to the Cardcaptor series, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, now open for a limited time in Tokyo (Harajuku), Osaka (Abeno) and Saitama (Koshigaya). The cafés have a photogenic themed menu as well as a photo spot and more, all with original illustrations. There's even a line-up of original Cardcaptor merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. The menu includes a selection of cheese toast, roast beef, smoothies, pancakes and more.   Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/116035       Did you enjoy this list? Be sure you get a chance to visit a character café while you're in Japan.