Let’s have a look at what’s happening at Japanese kawaii brand San-X for April with new themes and collections for Sumikko Gurashi, Rilakkuma and Sugarcocomuu, plus some retro faves are back. Shopping links and info is at the end of the post and all the collections also have free wallpapers.
Sumikko Gurashi’s latest collection Dreaming Shippos focuses on some side characters as new character Ebiten teams up with Ebi Fry and Aji Fry to train as food idols The Shippos! The rest of the sumikkos can only watch on in envy as The Shippos master their dance routines and get famous (they even have a music video!). It’s such a cute idea, especially since their tails look like hair bows.
As you’d imagine, the product range includes some of the things you’d buy for a real idol group including card cases with character cards and a wearable tail headband, plus stationery and various bags and pouches. There’s also loads of plushies in all different sizes, and even a plush onigiri stage display for them to perform on.
Basic Rilakkuma is the uninspiring name for an ongoing series of designs and products themed around simplicity. I really love this illustration style so I’m happy to see a new Flower collection for spring. Don’t you just feel a little calmer for watching that?
It’s not a huge collection, as you can see, but there’s lots of useful stationery, some cute plush and practical everyday items like keychains, pouches, hand towels, mirrors and even a jewellery storage box. My favourites are the fuzzy keychains and the fun bendy pens with character toppers.
Sugarcocomuu is quickly becoming one of my favourite San-X characters and the cotton candy rabbit and their dessert-themed friends have been so popular that new items have been added to the Sweet Memory Time collection from last year. That includes a larger version of my beloved Cookie Bear, an adorable Hug-Hug plush of Sugarcocomuu and some sweet pouches.
And good news for older San-X fans as the retro San-X Characters series was apparently a big hit and has been expanded. You can now pick up Tarepanda, Kogepan, Nyan Nyan Nyanko and Afro Ken as plush, notebooks, keychains and lenticular ‘miracle’ stickers.
How to buy San-X
All the products for April are in the San-X shop now but you’ll need to use a forwarding service outside Japan. Otherwise you need to keep an eye on official resellers. AmiAmi (JP) does pre-orders before release, Kawaii Republic (JP) and Meccha Japan (JP) do both pre-order and in stock items, while Very Goods (JP) usually add most items within a few days or weeks. International shops can take longer, from weeks to many months – we recommend Cuteness (EU – also do preorders), ARTBOX (UK) and Oshoppu (UK). Use our guide to The Best Kawaii Shops Worldwide for more options. US fans also now have an official San-X store on Amazon, mostly with products made for the US market.
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