On February 22, the popular rock band SCANDAL will release the documentary MIRROR on Blu-ray and DVD. In April, the artists will embark on the SCANDAL TOUR 2023 – Unlimited UTOPIA, performing in seven cities across Japan.

The new song Line of Sight was written by the band to serve as the theme song for the arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE, scheduled to release in late February. Read SCANDAL’s comment below!

Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE〈LINXTAGE SEASON:01〉PV

—
“We’re pleased to announce that we’ve been put in charge of the theme song for Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE.
This summer, SCANDAL will celebrate our 17th anniversary. What a great time to get this incredible offer!
We met with the team behind Arsenal Base and shared our thoughts and feelings before starting production on the song.
In the game, music is played during battle scenes, where players’ emotions are heightened. Considering that, we wrote a fast-paced, danceable track.
In the end, we combined our own thoughts and feelings with the world of Gundam. Be sure to listen to the lyrics closely!
Please enjoy our music as you play Arsenal Base!
—

Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base is a real-time strategy arcade card game in which players take on the role of a commander in control of five mobile suits and five pilots fighting to destroy a collection of enemy battleships. Found in many arcades across Japan, players place pilot cards on the terminal in dedicated boxes. The terminal then reads a QR code on each card. The series will soon introduce tons of new content including the LINXTAGE BATTLE system, in which two players can enter battle at the same time. Be sure to listen to a snippet of Line of Sight in the new PV!

Released in 1988, the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack remains popular with fans of the series over 30 years later. A rerelease of the original soundtrack on vinyl has been announced, coming on February 18, 2023. The record will be cut by Bernie Grundman and will feature Shigeaki Saegusa’s magnificent score and the theme song BEYOND THE TIME ~Beyond the Mobius Universe~ by TM Network.

The three-sided panoramic jacket for the record was illustrated by Naoyuki Kato, and fans will love the red record itself reminiscent of Char’s personal emblem and Gundam.

(C)創通・サンライズ

HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, a theater and restaurant offering Hello Kitty-themed shows and meals on Awaji Island, and HELLO KITTY APPLE HOUSE, an apple-shaped observation theater based on the popular character’s home, are both currently holding the Apple Halloween 2022 event until October 31! 

Guests can enjoy a mystery-solving event and some adorable photo spots inspired by apples and the Halloween season. By solving certain riddles, visitors will be rewarded with candy!

Come have fun this Halloween with Hello Kitty, friends, and family!

Started in October, the New Show ‘HELLO KITTY THE PARTIES’ Gets Rave Reviews

HELLO KITTY THE PARTIES, a new show at the theater and restaurant HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX, will run until December 30, 2022. The show features a new theme each month and currently features a jazz band.

October’s theme is Happy Halloween Party, and visitors can listen to a number of famous songs while enjoying tasty and healthy dishes packed with autumn flavors. At the end of the performance, a meet and greet with Hello Kitty will be held. November’s theme will be Hello Kitty’s Birthday Party, while December will focus on a Christmas Party!

Starting September 3, Keio Plaza Hotel Tama will offer a special dinner and dessert buffet inspired by the Sanrio characters Hello Kitty and Wish Me Mell. The adorable event will take place at the Jurin restaurant on the 4th floor, and guests will be able to enjoy some cute dishes and desserts inspired by the character’s gratitude. The event will run until October 30 and will only be held on weekends and holidays. 

The restaurant’s patissier has designed a collection of sweet dishes based on the two characters, from strawberry shortcakes inspired by Wish Me Mell’s outfit to pastel-colored cakes and rainbow jello. Cream-filled fruit sandwiches cut to look like Hello Kitty’s face are sure to offer guests the perfect photo op! For those wanting something savory, over 15 dishes will be available, including roast beef, pasta and cheese, curry, and more.

Special seats including large stuffed animal versions of Hello Kitty and Wish Me Mell will be available, limited to two tables per day.

Come enjoy a relaxing meal with these two adorable characters!

Rock band MAN WITH A MISSION is getting ready to release a new album, Break and Cross the Walls II, on May 25. Ahead of this exciting date, the group has revealed the music video for Blaze on YouTube!

Blaze has been featured as the opening theme for Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans Special Edition, the nine-episode digest edition of the 2015-2017 anime series, since April. The clip is packed with the anime’s memorable scenes, so be sure to check it out! 

The theme song is also available on all popular music streaming sites.

Blaze – MAN WITH A MISSION (GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans Special Edition Anime Music Video)
https://youtu.be/rTamYmhLOaw

MAN WITH A MISSION will start a nationwide tour, MAN WITH A MISSION Presents Break and Cross the Walls Tour 2022, on June 16.

Yoshikitty, a character formed in collaboration between Hello Kitty and rock legend YOSHIKI, is being featured in an adorable new collection! Items in the Moon Pastel collection are now available to preorder at the Asunaro Online Store and the yoshikitty Online Shop.

Yoshikitty first debuted in 2009 as a collaboration between YOSHIKI of X JAPAN and Sanrio’s popular character Hello Kitty. These new plushies were inspired by YOSHIKI’s hairstyle when he first debuted and his classic purple eyeshadow.

Since the character’s creation, over 10 different designs have been released. The Pastel Moon Series is a first, showing a different side to the usual grungy rock ‘n roll vibe. No one expected a fluffy unicorn yoshikitty with such soft colors!

Medium Plush : ¥5,800 (Tax Included) / Large Plushie: ¥8,800 (Tax Included)

Colorful Charm (Chain not included) : ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

The collection includes two plush toys, a mascot keychain, a colorful charm, and two reusable bags. Will you be snagging anything?

ⓒ 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L630897   

ⓒ 2022 Japan Music Agency Co., Ltd.

Yoshikitty, a character formed in collaboration between Hello Kitty and rock legend YOSHIKI, now has an online shop!

Yoshikitty first debuted in 2009 as a collaboration between YOSHIKI of X JAPAN and Sanrio’s popular character Hello Kitty. The character’s first goods collection sold out immediately, with additional items also selling out online the same day. Yoshikitty’s popularity isn’t limited only to Japan, with global fans also anxious to snag some of this sought-after merchandise.

Since 2015, Yoshikitty has been nominated for the Sanrio Character Awards, rising in popularity year after year and keeping up with other beloved Sanrio personalities.

To commemorate the eighth consecutive year of her appearance in the Sanrio Character Awards, the Yoshikitty Online Shop has opened its doors. Fans can now purchase a number of exclusive items whenever they please!

Opening Announcement Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFDArLVYAuw

Pouch (3 colors: Purple, Red, Blue): ¥2,600 each (Tax Included)

Cushion (3 colors: Purple, Red, Gray):  ¥4,400 each (Tax Included)

To celebrate the shop’s opening, a new collection of lace goods is on sale now, featuring the character alongside roses and musical notes in elegant black lace. Items available include pouches, tote bags, and plenty of other goods perfect for both everyday use and formal occasions.

©️ 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.L630057    

©️ 2022 Japan Music Agency Co., Ltd.

Sanrio has announced the Hello Kitty SDG series of products, scheduled to release on March 25, 2022. The designs for the series were developed in collaboration with the United Nations with the aim of spreading knowledge about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout the world. These items will be available at Sanrio stores, in department stores, and online.

The Hello Kitty SDGs series features a lineup of goods made from environmentally friendly materials. These items are perfect for daily use, and all were designed to raise awareness of SDGs and the global environment with Hello Kitty in the office, at school, and at home.

Merchandise at a Glance

Tote Bag: ¥2,750

Each Tote Bag is made of 100% organic cotton canvas.

Clear Folder: ¥594

Made of recycled polypropylene.

Mug: ¥1,980

Each mug is made of recyclable materials.

Neck Strap: ¥1,980

Recycled PET bottles were used to create this product.

In September 2018, Hello Kitty launched her own YouTube channel to promote peace and harmony around the world.

As of March 16, Hello Kitty has uploaded 27 videos, so be sure to watch them all!

©‘21、’22 SANRIO　著作（株）サンリオ

New items from the Hello Kitty Museum Art Collection, a series in which Sanrio’s popular character Hello Kitty collaborates with a number of classic masterpieces, are now available at the Asunarosha Online Shop!

Hello Kitty Reimagined in 7 Iconic Paintings

・The Scream – Edvard Munch
・Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
・The Milkmaid – Johannes Vermeer
・The Fifer – Edouard Manet
・Woman with a Parasol – Claude Monet
・Portrait of Mademoiselle Irene Cahen d’Anvers – Pierre-Auguste Renoir
・The Green Dancer – Edgar Degas

Merchandise

Sliding Puzzle (3 varieties)

Cube Puzzle

Picture Frame Magnets (5 varieties)

Stickers (7 varieties)

Mini Mascot Stickers

Scratch Art (Pack of 10)

The Hello Kitty Museum Art Collection transforms Hello Kitty into famous masterpieces that everyone has seen before. The first collaboration in 2013 saw the popular character in Edvard Munch’s The Scream and was a massive hit! Which piece of art is your favorite?

Ⓒ 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. Ⓛ

Cotomono Marche’s original brand ‘BUTTON&CUFFLINKS’ has released a selection of earrings and brooches inspired by popular Sanrio characters! These are available online and at select Cotomono Marche stores. 

The accessories are inspired by Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, My Melody, Kuromi, and Little Twin Stars, and are perfect for Sanrio fans of any age. 

Earrings: ¥2,750 (Tax Included) / Brooch: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

Hello Kitty debuted in 1974 and continues to captivate fans around the world. The character peeking out from behind an apple is an original design for the collaboration. 

Pompompurin and Cinnamoroll have been transformed into adorable accessories, while My Melody and Kuromi are featured in two different color palettes: seasonal pastel or vivid. 

The Little Twin Stars accessories are perfect for wearing with a friend, with a different character on each ear!

On February 22, Hello Kitty released her first collaboration video with the popular YouTube channel Mochimaru Diary, which currently has over 1.6 million subscribers!

Mochimaru Diary follows the uneventful life of Mochimaru, a Scottish Fold, whose life is documented by his owner. The collaboration was planned as a celebration of Cat Day, which takes place in Japan on February 22. 

In the video, Hello Kitty talks passionately about the 10 most adorable things about Mochimaru. Be sure to give it a watch!

Hello Kitty is a Mega-fan?! Video Highlights and Screencaps

Comment from Hello Kitty

I’ve been such a big fan of Mochimaru for so long, I can’t believe we finally get to collab~

We had a super happy day talking about all the things Mochi likes!

I’m a little embarrassed to be THIS excited, but I’m just so happy to bring everyone this video for Cat Day!

Give it a watch for me! ♡

©’22 SANRIO　S/F・G　著作（株）サンリオ

Japanese hotel chain Resi Stay is known for having some stylish rooms. After a Hello Kitty-themed room opened at the hotel’s Kyoto Nishiki branch, Resi Stay The Hotel Kyoto in the center of the city has now opened a brand-new Hello Kitty room!

The new concept room combines the cuteness of the Sanrio character with traditional Japanese elements like sliding doors and paper screens. Made to look like a Kyoto teahouse, guests also won’t leave empty-handed–those reserving the room will get a free Hello Kitty tote bag, mask, hand sanitizer, and mask case. 

© 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L622077