Tag Archives: sanrio

Hello Kitty comes to IDW Publishing

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You can never have too many friends… and you can never have too many comic books! IDW Publishing and Sanrio  have announced a partnership to bring kawaii to the comic book industry with supercute Hello Kitty comics that can be enjoyed by fans of all ages. As one of the most beloved pop culture icons in the world, Hello Kitty has been spreading friendship, kindness and joy for generations. 

The new series begins with Hello Kitty: Hello World!, a brand-new comic book series featuring a classic and lovable depiction of Sanrio’s characters as Hello Kitty and Friends go on a world tour to solve a riddle. As they discover new riddles around the globe, they will also meet new characters in every single issue! From Eisner Award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki and animated artist Cody Lemieux, the debut issue goes on sale July 22, 2026 – the same week as San Diego Comic-Con! Hello Kitty: Hello World! features covers by Min Ho Kim and Justine King.

Following Hello Kitty: Hello World! will be more comics – and crossovers – arriving in 2027.

Maestro Media Unveils Hello Kitty: Day at the Park Board Game

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Hello Kitty: Day at the Park

Maestro Media is teaming up with Sanrio and have announced Hello Kitty: Day at the Park. This new board game invites fans of all ages to experience the icon’s nostalgic charm by joining Hello Kitty and Friends on a heartwarming adventure filled with fun challenges and beautiful game design that is sure to spread smiles.

Developed with families and fans of Hello Kitty in mind, Hello Kitty: Day at the Park is an accessible strategy board game that promises a unique family-friendly game experience, seamlessly blending the playful spirit of Hello Kitty with engaging and strategic gameplay that everyone can enjoy together. Players can compete as Hello Kitty and other iconic Sanrio characters, including My Melody, Pompompurin, Keroppi, and more to complete thrilling adventures, earn rewards, and explore the charming park setting–all while collecting items and visiting attractions. The Deluxe Retail version of the game will also include a collectible, exclusive Hello Kitty Figurine, only available via purchase of the game.

Game Versions Include:

Designed for ages 8+, Hello Kitty: Day at the Park promises a unique family-friendly board game experience, seamlessly blending the playful spirit of Hello Kitty with engaging and strategic gameplay that everyone can enjoy together.

Aggretsuko #1 Sells Out and Goes Back to Print

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Oni Press has found success with a day-one sellout of the debut issue of Sanrio’s Aggretsuko!

Aggretsuko #1 reunites Daniel Barnes and D.J. Kirkland, the team behind the widely acclaimed graphic novel, The Black Mage. bringing Kirkland’s colorful anime-influenced style to Aggretsuko, the hit Netflix show in production for season three. Aggretsuko stars Retsuko the Red Panda, a young office worker stuck in a thankless job, whose only stress release is singing heavy metal at the local karaoke joint. With the help of her friends, can she ever find the job satisfaction she craves – – not to mention adventure, the approval of her mother, and even… love?! These comics explore all these issues and more, with each issue brought to life by a revolving team of today’s top talent!

Oni Press is going back to print with a brand-new cover by D.J. Kirkland, available for order now to arrive in stores alongside the second issue on March 11. Orders are due from retailers on both the #1 reprint on Monday February 17.

Aggretsuko #1

Review: Gudetama-Love for the Lazy

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Gudetama: Love for the Lazy

Sanrio’s latest great creation, the lazy egg Gudetama, comes to comics in Gudetama: Love for the Lazy by Wook-Jin Clark. This comic is hilarious, relatable, and sometimes pretty weird as this surprisingly thick raw egg mascot. Gudetama is a collection of short stories and vignettes where Gudetama gives dating advice, and there are some actual great ideas in here sprinkled in with the obvious trolling.

Wook-Jin Clark’s background working on adorable licensed properties like Bee and Puppycat as well as the food-centric comic Flavor serves him well in this book where Gudetama can go from hiding in its shell to be a part of a very yummy bowl of ramen. He understands that the raw egg works best as a kind of “host” for these stories a la Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, but more of a slacker and interjects with one-liners and weird transformations when the story needs it.

At times, Gudetama is an aspirational figure. It’s effortlessly cool and laid back, and people like it in spite of it not trying so hard. Gudetama is a cross between an angel and devil on your angst-ridden saying, “Take it easy, and don’t take things too seriously.” It’s great making a Tinder profile.

Gudetama: Love for the Lazy is at its best and most wholesome when it’s in short story mode. There’s the saga of two cosplayers falling in love, another story about the struggle of dating solely “IRL” instead of in the online world, and one about partners dealing with a cat affection issue through the power of hugs. My personal favorite one features the gamer Tobi, who wants to go from being married to a centaur to dating in meatspace. His story has a lot of humor with his sushi date featuring an actual nightmare human, who hunts animals for a living, and Wook-Jin Clark nails the awkward half hug, half handshake from a date that didn’t really have many sparks. However, Clark gives the conclusion of the story a warm underpinning as he turns its gamer aesthetic to eleven and has Tobi find real connection while on another date at an arcade bar. This confirms my theory that arcade bars are fantastic date spots even if you suck at most video games like yours truly.

Another reason why Gudetama: Love for the Lazy resonated with me is that it’s a romance comic disguised as a licensed comic. Its tales of relationship woes in pitfalls between short advice column-esque sketches and supplemental material, like a game where you progress through the various post-breakup stages. Wook-Jin Clark uses Gudetama as a vessel to show the awkwardness of dating (Especially the online kind.) and building connections and relationships while also providing hope with the sarcasm.

Gudetama: Love for the Lazy is Modern Love for anxious slackers who would rather be flirting with their Twitter crushes, playing a video game, or going to town on a bowl of ramen than dealing with the rituals of dating in 2020. Wook-Jin Clark’s writing and art is sharp, yet gentle and shows that a raw egg with a nice butt and an even better attitude can make anyone smile. (Gudetama needs a nap though.)

Story: Wook-Jin Clark Art: Wook-Jin Clark Letters: Tom B. Long
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

NYCC 2019: Oni Announces a Partnership with Sanrio

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Oni Press has announced the first-ever comic books of any kind to feature Gudetamaä, the beloved “lazy egg” currently taking pop culture by storm, with Gudetama: Love for the Lazy by writer/artist Wook-Jin Clark.  

Timed to Valentine’s Day, this release is the first in a series of Gudetama’s Comics Guides, with each focusing on a different aspect of modern daily life. Every volume will vary in subject matter, mixing Gudetama’s lazy but lovable personality with humorous advice that is always tongue-in-cheek, yet relevant and entertaining. Oni will release at least 3 volumes a year, formatted in a 48-page 5.5 x 7.5” full color hardcover original graphic novel, priced affordably at only $9.99!

Gudetama: Love for the Lazy will offer advice for young adults (and those young at heart!) on everything from setting up an online dating profile to selecting that perfect first date outfit, and of course all that falls in-between!

NYCC 2019: Kidrobot Brings Bob’s Burgers, Helly Kitty, and The Simpson’s Blinky as Exclusives

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Kidrobot heads to New York Comic Con 2019 (October 3 – 6) at Booth #110 with three limited-edition exclusives from Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons, and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty. 

All figures will be available for purchase on the show floor at NYCC Booth #110, while supplies last.

Kidrobot x The Simpsons Nigiri Blinky Mini Figure
Rainbow Chrome NYCC Exclusive Edition
Limited to 1500 pieces, $20 each

Kidrobot is at it again with more figures from everyone’s favorite show that just won’t die… possibly due to nuclear waste induced mutations. Straight from the pond outside the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, we plucked Blinky the Three-Eyed Fish from the glowing depths and prepared some completely safe sushi. Standing at 2-inches tall and 3-inches long, Nigiri Blinky comes with ginger and wasabi accessories and is a must-have addition to any Simpsons collection.

Kidrobot x The Simpsons Nigiri Blinky Mini Figure

Kidrobot x Sanrio 3″ Hello Kitty Unicorn
Chrome NYCC Exclusive Edition
Limited to 1000 pieces, $20 each


How rare is a unicorn? Well, if it’s Hello Kitty Unicorn – it’s both rare and exclusive! If we’ve learned anything from Hello Kitty from her recent Kidrobot figures, it’s that she loves to dress up and looks amazing in every costume she dons. Hello Kitty Unicorn stands at 3-inches of chrome cuteness.

Kidrobot x Sanrio 3" Hello Kitty Unicorn

Kidrobot x Bob’s Burgers Louise Dragon with the Girl Tattoo Mini Figure
Red Chrome NYCC Exclusive Edition
Limited to 500 pieces, $15 each

Flipping the script in typical Louise fashion, she hits Ocean Ave. in a search for Sticky Sugar Booms in her Dragon with the Girl Tattoo costume. Standing at 3-inches tall, Louise is ready to defend your candy stash without requiring you to take a trip to Mutilation Mountain!

Kidrobot x Bob’s Burgers Louise Dragon with the Girl Tattoo Mini Figure

Get a Look at Loot Crate’s Sanrio Small Gift Crate

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Loot Crate is offering a sneak peek inside their first Sanrio Small Gift Crate with the Hello Kitty Glitter Figure! Join now for exclusive, supercute items delivered right to your door! The perfect gift for the holiday season!

sanrio-small-gift-crate

 

 

 

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Loot Crate Announces Expansion at Licensing Expo. Partners with WWE and Sanrio

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Loot CrateAt the Licensing Expo which is currently taking place in Vegas, Loot Crate has announced some new licensing partnerships hinting at what fans of geek boxes may be seeing down the line. They have announced new partnerships with WWE and Sanrio.

The geek box service has over 600,000 recurring subscribers worldwide and have been focusing into partnership-focused crates. They announced a partnership a bit ago with Crunchyroll for their Anime box as an example. The licensing strategy for Loot Crate includes lines of business as well as the stand alone partnership crates that supports IP holders in building deeper, more enriched experiences for their most loyal fans.

They have announced they will be introducing a bimonthly WWE crate, featuring items that will appeal to WWE fans worldwide. Each crate will feature exclusive collectibles, apparel and home goods. Look for more details as Loot Crate and WWE launch this exciting crate later this summer.

Tapping into another multi-generational global brand with a loyal fan community, Loot Crate has also announced a partnership with Sanrio, the lifestyle brand best known for pop icon, Hello Kitty. Sanrio fans will have access to a special crate celebrating Hello Kitty, Chococat, Keroppi and more Sanrio characters delivered to their front door. This partnership with Sanrio allows Loot Crate to curate and deliver a unique experience to surprise and delight Sanrio’s passionate fan base.

Loot Crate will be showcasing select crates at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas June 21-23, 2016 at booth B99 in the Characters & Entertainment zone at the Bayside Exhibit Hall, Level 1.

VIZ Media & ComicsPRO Release Exclusive Hello Kitty Graphic Novel

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comicspro logoVIZ Media and Sanrio Inc. announce a special single-volume edition of Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland, available exclusively through ComicsPRO member stores and featuring an exclusive full color variant cover by artist/illustrator Victoria Maderna.

The special edition of Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland will be available to retailers that are ComicsPRO members exclusively through Diamond Comic Distributors. The volume will be released November 5th and will carry an MSRP of $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN.

ComicsPRO is the trade organization serving the needs of comic book specialty retailers in North America. ComicsPRO provides a strong voice on important industry issues, educational and mentoring opportunities to current and future retailers, and works to improve business for all of its members and the comics industry as a whole.

The Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland comic will feature art by Victoria Maderna, Ian McGinty and Eisner-nominee Jacob Chabot. A separate Hello Kitty® original graphic novel series is also scheduled to launch October 1st. Hello Kitty: Here We Go!, a collection of comic stories about Hello Kitty’s travels, will feature art by Chabot, Jorge Monlongo and Susie Ghahremani. Both offerings will be rated ‘A’ for All Ages.

HelloKitty-FashionMusicWonderland-ComicsProExclusive-sm

DC Comics Super Heroes Mashed-Up Hello Kitty

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Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, and Sanrio, creator of the global icon Hello Kitty, announced they will be partnering to license a new brand collaboration that will feature Hello Kitty dressed up as her favorite DC Comics Super Heroes, including Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman.

Set to debut at retailers around the world in 2014, the heroic Hello Kitty will appear on apparel, accessories and footwear, stationery, publishing, personal care, promotional products and food products from a variety of top-tier licensing partners.

HelloKittyDC