Hello Kitty and her beloved friends, My Melody and Kuromi, are set to become the stars of several exciting events and collaborations, marking 2025 as a monumental year for fans of the Sanrio characters. Beginning March 18, Mochikichi, celebrated for its rice crackers, will launch special cans featuring these iconic characters as part of their first-ever collaboration. This limited-edition product will be available at Mochikichi stores, online, and through their website.
The cans will showcase designs of Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi, alongside original stickers and mini-sized 'Okaki no Omachikomaichi' rice crackers flavored both as salad and plum. Retailing for 1,080 yen each, customers can also purchase the complete set of three cans for 3,240 yen, all inclusive of taxes. The special collaboration indicates the growing popularity and merchandising power of Sanrio characters as they continue to draw the attention of nostalgic adults and young children alike.
From March 20, the HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX on Awaji Island will enchant audiences with its latest lunch show, 'Hello Kitty The Heart of Jazz!!' This vibrant performance features Hello Kitty as the bandleader who engages with her band members to deliver renditions of jazz classics, including 'It Don't Mean a Thing' and the famous children's song 'Omocha no Chachacha.' The restaurant offers delicious Hello Kitty-themed dishes, ensuring guests enjoy both delightful food and family-friendly entertainment. Adult tickets are set at 3,500 yen, with children’s tickets priced at 2,200 yen.
Following this trend of local and international engagement, Oita Airport will be temporarily rebranded as 'Oita Hello Kitty Airport' starting April 13, timed perfectly with the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The concept behind this transformation, as shared by Governor Juichiro Sato of Oita Prefecture, aims to create 'the most heartwarming airport globally,' featuring decorations displaying the local produce alongside Sanrio characters.
During the expo, Oita Airport will also host artistic displays of the characters and offer exciting photo opportunities for visitors connecting to Harmony Land at Hiji Town via special bus services. The increased sales from foreign visitors at Sanrio's domestic stores have increased sixfold over the past two and a half years, prompting this narrative shift to promote tourism and cultural experiences.
The Tokyo National Museum is currently hosting the much-anticipated Hello Kitty Exhibition, celebrated for the vast array of goods and collaborations on display. Sanrio has appointed Hello Kitty as the museum’s first-ever one-day director, the exhibition offering visitors unique insights and merchandise available only during the event’s run. Featuring exclusive plush toys and artworks made by thirty different artists themed around the expressive qualities of Hello Kitty, the exhibition captures her evolution as both cultural icon and business phenomenon.
The pilgrimage continues as the exhibition is set to tour various cities across Japan following its launch, with plans spanning from Okinawa to Nagoya throughout 2026. Such steps affirm Hello Kitty's position as not only Japan's preeminent mascot but one embraced by global audiences.
Quotes from industry insiders about these developments reveal the excitement surrounding these events. The Mochikichi spokesperson noted, "The collaboration of Hello Kitty and characters with Mochikichi marks our first step together, showcasing beloved treats with beloved characters." Similarly, President of Sanrio Entertainment, Ayako Komaki, expressed her hopes for the airport initiative, stating, "I dreamed of seeing 'Oita Hello Kitty Airport' become reality, making Oita known to guests from both home and abroad.'
This year marks 50 years since Hello Kitty's inception, which only heightens the significance of these events. Each initiative works to not only celebrate her legacy but to bolster economic growth and attract visitors to regions integral to her story.
Overall, the series of Sanrio character-focused events from collaborative products with Mochikichi to shows at HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX and the Hello Kitty Exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum collectively draw attention to the cultural and commercial impact of these animated fixtures. Fans of all ages are encouraged to partake and experience firsthand the timeless charm of Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi, as they continue to spread joy through delightful products and awe-inspiring experiences.
