Sae Okamoto’s Mecha-Ude project has attracted worldwide attention, and now, a full anime and manga series have been announced! Okamoto’s up-and-coming anime production company TriF Studio, located in Fukuoka, will work on the series, which follows Hikaru, a normal student, and Alma, a Mecha-Ude wielder who can be activated when he bonds with a human. 

 

Yoshino Koyoka has also started publishing a manga adaptation of the series on LINE Manga and other ebookjapan services. Three free chapters were published on September 15, and the series will run bi-weekly. TriF Studio will supervise and provide the story.

 

A documentary video teasing the anime series and giving more information about TriF Studio has also been uploaded to YouTube. The video shows that the pilot’s theme song was written by Eve with a music video produced by Masayoshi Oishi. Hiroshi Matsuyama, the CEO of CyberConnect2, serves as the general supervisor of the series. Terumi Nishii, the chief animation director for the popular series Jujutsu Kaisen, worked on character designs for Mecha-Ude. 

 

The average staff age at TriF is 25, which is incredibly young for an animation studio. What can we expect from such a unique collection of creators? 

 

Be sure to keep an eye on this new anime and manga project!

(C)TriF/「メカウデ」製作委員会

The pancake specialty cafe Butter is collaborating with illustrator Yuu Itsuki from August 19 until September 4, 2022. Fans of Itsuki’s adorable LINE Sticker series will recognize a few characters appearing in the many dishes popping up during the event. Along with a lineup of sweets, main dishes, and beverages available to enjoy at the store, some special collaboration macarons will be sold as a takeout-only item.

Friendly Fruit Buttermilk Pancakes

Kuma-chan’s Shortcake Pancakes with Handmade Donuts

Kuma-chan’s Sleepy Omu Curry

Lemonade

Blue Lagoon Lemonade

Exclusive Macaron Box (Take-out Only)

Order Bonus for Sweet and Main Dishes: Original Postcard and Pin

Drink Order Bonus: Pin

 

Come enjoy this sweet collaboration menu featuring Kuma-chan and his two best friends!

The popular character Opanchuusagi, created by illustrator Kawaisoni, has inspired two collaboration cafes! Fans of the adorable rabbit will be able to grab themed dishes and goods in both Tokyo and Osaka from July 7 until August 21. Does the character look familiar? You’ve probably seen her on social media or on LINE!

 

Opanchuusagi does her best for everyone but tends to fail in hilarious ways. The melancholy character has been getting increasingly popular lately, leaving comments like “poor thing,” or “so cute!”

 

Cafe Visitor Bonus / Menu Order Bonus

 

 

Menu

Opanchu Curry

Opanchu Omurice

Opanchu Burger

Opanchu Shaved Ice

Opanchu Pancake

Opanchu Parfait

Opanchu Missing-Underpants Soda

Opanchu Pink Soda

Opanchu Strawberry Milk

Opanchu Latte

 

Goods

The Opanchuusagi Cafe will offer a lineup of cute menu items perfect for posting on social media, from the curry and burger to the shaved ice and latte. The cafe will also sell original merchandise, so don’t miss your chance to snag some!

 

Why not come relax at this unique cafe on a hot summer day? 

 

©KAWAISOUNI!

Kanahei is one of the most popular illustrators on the web today, with many of the artist’s adorable characters featured on LINE as stickers. The creator’s characters will be featured on tons of new merch during two new events–the Piske & Usagi Berry Berry Festival from February 19 until March 31, and the Cat Festival with Kanahei’s Small Animals from February 19 until March 27, 2022.

 

Piske & Usagi Berry Berry Festival – Merchandise at a Glance

Goods featuring newly-created art of Piske and Usagi will be available at participating stores during the event. Those purchasing ¥2,000 or more on select products will receive a bonus sticker. Get one before they’re gone!

 

 

Cat Festival with Kanahei’s Small Animals – New Goods

February 22 is Cat Day in Japan, and this is the second time that Kanahei has held a Cat Festival event to celebrate. Those who purchase select Cat Festival products during the event period will be gifted a bonus postcard while supplies last!

※The amount of available postcards is limited.
※Some items may not be available at all stores.
※Stickers are available in limited quantities.
※The following stores will not offer bonuses:
Sapporo LOFT/ Yokohama LOFT / Tenjin LOFT / Nagoya LOFT / Ginza LOFT / Shibuya LOFT

Eyeglass brand Zoff is collaborating with the popular character Usamaru for the second time! The adorable pup is celebrating his seventh anniversary this year, and to celebrate, this new collection of glasses is now available for purchase on the Zoff Online Store. On February 25, they will also be available at the new Zoff Mozo Wonder City location!

 

Usamaru & Usako / Zoff Original Illustrations

Oval

Metal Boston

Husky Usamaru

Wellington

Metal Wellington

Detail

Accessories

Cleaning Cloth

 

Usamaru is a popular character on the messaging app LINE with plenty of fun sticker sets for purchase. This new collection was based on the concept of having a “relaxing and fun life with Usamaru, Usako, and your eyeglasses!” Zoff Maru, a Zoff-exclusive illustration, welcomes Usako to the collaboration for the first time as well. Don’t miss out on these limited-edition designs, like Usamaru and Usako in matching glasses and Usamaru dressed up as Zoff’s iconic Siberian Husky. These glasses are unisex, so men and women can enjoy matching sets!

 

During the collaboration, customers can also choose from six unique cleaning cloths, eyeglass cases, and other Usamaru-inspired items.

MINI SOF, a shop specializing in soft-serve ice cream since 1980, is now offering products in collaboration with the popular Sanrio character My Melody! A limited number of sweets and goodies will be available until January 31, 2022, with New Year grab bags containing special coupons for sale until January 9, 2022.

 

W Rich Soft-Serve Ice Cream

My Melody Collaboration Campaign

2022 Lucky Bag

Blanket

Desktop Calendar

Tote Bag

Soft-Serve Vanilla Ice Cream (with Strawberries and Chocolate) with Original Glass

Pink

Purple

Double Rich Strawberry Waffle Cone Soft-Serve with My Melody Collaboration Sleeve

Sleeve Design 1

Sleeve Design 2

Sleeve Design 3

Double Rich Strawberry Shortcake

My Melody Original Pouch

Design 1

Design 2

 

My Melody Original Keychain

Acrylic Keychain Design 1

Acrylic Keychain Design 2

 

Participating Characters

My Melody

Kuromi

My Sweet Piano

 

 

Gorogoro Nyansuke, a popular character featured on LINE stickers, will get his own cafe in Ikebukuro for a limited time! The nabe (hot-pot) party-themed location will be open from December 2, 2021 until January 23, 2022. In Japan, it’s popular to enjoy nabe with friends and family during the winter months to warm up!

Reservation Bonus

 

 

 

Menu

Refreshing Lemon Nabe

Tomato Nabe

Soy Milk Nabe

Black Sesame Parfait

Dorayaki Pancakes with Japanese Sweets

Red Bean Paste Covered in Snow

Warm and Cozy Kotatsu Cake

Nyansuke Float (Melon Soda)

Nyansuke Float (Anzu Soda)

Nyansuke Float (Roasted Green Tea and Milk)

Nyansuke Sake

Cafe Latte: ¥660 (Tax Included)

 

 

Original Merchandise

Acrylic Keychain (Random, 10 varieties)

A4-size Clear Folder (Set of 2)

Mug

 

The adorable kitty-cat has become popular on LINE and social media and was designed by Tsumugi Murasato. Her first manga was published in October 2020 with merchandise following, and she has become more and more popular since!

 

© MIND WAVE INC. / GORO GORO Nyansuke ®

 

Truffles aren’t something most people eat every day, but TRUFULL TOKYO wants to change that. The casual truffle brand wants to combine this luxury ingredient with simple dishes to make it easier to chow down on this tasty treat more often, and now, their first product release has been announced! TRUFULL ICE CREAM, playfully created by a French chef, aims to give people a new view of what food can be.

 

 

The truffles aren’t the only thing that makes this ice cream special. The milk used to create it is gathered at Zao Provence Farm in Miyagi prefecture in the morning and processed the exact same day! After the ice cream is made, it is mixed with plenty of French black truffles, making a flavor like no other. 

 

The upscale TRUFULL ICE CREAM, a perfect dessert for the discerning adult, is available at CARBON COFFEE in Fukuoka. 

The original roll ice cream speciality store ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORY will be collaborating with anime Love Live! Superstar!! for a limited time between September 25 and October 21 2021, available at eight stores nationwide. During the event, you will be able to buy character themed roll ice cream, drinks, and original merchandise. The collaboration start date varies by store.

 

Liella! themed roll ice cream

 

Drinks

Original goods

 

Social media campaign

 

Free original coasters (randomly picked from 12 designs)

 

 

Roll Ice Cream Factory is a dessert and roll ice specialty store from New York that opened in Harajuku in 2017. It’s delicious and colourful, attracting plenty of customers with their products – the longest queue recorded by the shop was seven hours long!

 

 

 

Love Live! Superstar!!, which is based on Harajuku, is now collaborating with the Harajuku-Omotesando store Roll Ice Cream Factory. The multimedia project is the latest from the Love Live! School Idol series, with an anime airing every Sunday on NHK E TV from July 2021. This new collaboration is based on the theme colors and favorite foods of five Love Live! Superstar!! members, with a menu of limited roll ice cream and drinks available to order. From strawberry and vanilla to matcha, there is plenty of variety in the special menu. Each ice cream and cold drink comes with a collaboration pick.

 

 

For people thinking “I can’t eat that much at once,” vouchers are available to purchase which allow you to buy collaboration merchandise at any time throughout the campaign. In addition to the cold drinks, two hot drinks will be available for takeout and served in collaboration takeout bags. If you’re feeling chilly, these drinks will warm you right up! You will also be offered a fun themed coaster to use during the campaign. A free collaboration coaster will be provided with every item on the collaboration menu, picked randomly from 12 designs. A selection of limited goods are also available in store and a social media campaign to win collaboration posters is currently ongoing, so be sure to check it out.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will release her first full-length album in three years Candy Racer on October 27, 2021. Ahead of the release, one new track, Jumping Up, will be shared early! This light and fun EDM track will, as promised, make you want to jump up and down along with the bass, and will be streaming starting September 29, 2021. 

 

In conjunction with this pre-release, a LINE MUSIC playback campaign will begin on September 29, with the top 10 listeners receiving a prize exclusive to the event. Be sure to listen to the song as many times as possible for your chance to snag this premium prize, the design of which will be revealed soon!

 

The 9th BT21 Cafe ~Relaxing Holiday~ will be open for a limited time in six venues across Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Okinawa. If you’re a fan of these adorable LINE FRIENDS, just take a look at the menu items and goods on offer!

 

Main Visual

 

 

The Menu

 

Chicken and Orange Hot Sandwich: ¥1,760 (Tax Included) 

Grilled Vegetable Curry: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

 

Tandoori Chicken Tacos: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Bacon: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

Mug Collection

Combo Meals

Pistachio and Chocolate S’mores: ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

Cinnamon Apple Pie: ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

Maple Lemon German Pancake: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

Mixed Berry German Pancake: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Mojito/Kiwi Mojito/Peach Mojito: ¥990 each (Tax Included)

Coffee (Iced/Hot) / Black Tea (Iced/Hot): ¥550 (Tax Included)

 

 

 

Original Merchandise 

 

Pins (Random, 7 designs): ¥660 (Tax Included)

Acrylic Keyrings (7 designs): ¥770 (Tax Included) / Clear Folder: ¥440 (Tax Included)

Stickers (7 designs): ¥770 each (Tax Included) / Placemat (2 designs): ¥1,000 each (Tax Included)

 

Swizzle Stick (7 designs): ¥990 each (Tax Included) / Tote Bag: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

Canvas Pouch: ¥1,980 (Tax Included) / Mini-towel (7 designs): ¥990 each (Tax Included)

Bandana (2 designs): ¥1,320 each (Tax Included) / Marshmallows: ¥972 (Tax Included)

 

 

Customers who book a table in advance will receive a randomly selected A5-size clear folder and a random clear coaster for each drink ordered.

 

 

 

The first installment of the 9th BT21 Cafe run, ~MY LITTLE BUDDY~, began in July 2021. The menu and goods, based on cute babies and their friends, received rave reviews. 

 

~Relaxing Holiday~ is inspired by summer and being outside with friends. Menu items look like what people may eat while camping, and the original character art features your favorite BT21 characters eating their favorite foods. Various soups and desserts are available in cute souvenir cups, and anything ordered is perfect for posting on social media!

Which menu item looks the most delicious to you? 

 

*Images for reference only. 

 

©BT21

As part of the LINE FRIENDS 10th anniversary celebrations, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Brand Development released the MINIONS X BROWN & FRIENDS collection at the LINE FRIENDS Harajuku store and the online store on July 22. A collection of digital accessories, camping items, and golf goods will also roll out in August. This includes a release at 17 branches of KIDDYLAND on August 7 as part of PLAY LINE FRIENDS.

BROWN & FRIENDS began as a stamp series on the Japanese messaging app LINE. The characters are now featured just about everywhere including as merchandise. See Brown and Sally meet Kevin, Bob, and Stuart from the hit animated films Despicable Me and Minions in the form of digital accessories aimed at tech lovers such as AirPods cases and smartphone clips as well as eco bags, golfing equipment, camping necessities, and more.

 

As part of the collaboration, Brown & Friends and Minions LINE stickers and Instagram filters will also be released in August. Check out the official LINE FRIENDS social media pages for related promotional videos too.

 

And for Japanese fans of both franchises, they get some Japan-exclusive merchandise too including a mini towel, hand towel, face towel, bath towel, denim tote bag, denim pouch, eco bag, hat, stationery, bottle, mug, neck pillow, and more.

©LINE/©UCS LLC