Let’s have a look at what’s happening at Japanese kawaii brand San-X for November with a debut collection for Hamuchima, a new theme for Sumikko Gurashi and some Christmas and retro releases. Shopping links and info is at the end of the post and some of the collections also have free wallpapers.
It’s really great to see San-X coming up with new characters regularly and the latest is Hamuchima, a hamster who is “small in both body and spirit”. Hamuchima is a character for everyone who’s having a hard year as he focuses on searching for small moments of happiness every day instead of all the things that go wrong. This really speaks to me at the moment and I will be trying to emulate him and find joy in the little things. For Hamuchima this includes finding a ¥500 coin, freshly-cooked rice, a fluffy scarf and the full moon.
A few sizes of plush are available with both his normal/worried and happy expressions and there’s also some cute bags, pouches and charms to keep Hamuchima close as a reminder as you go about your day. The stationery selection is quite extensive too with stickers, memo pads, file folders and letter sets.
San-X often reuse the same theme for another set of characters, which could feel lazy, but Sumikko’s Favourite Things is even cuter than the Rilakkuma version. The 5 main characters each get a whole illustration with multiple favourite foods, toys, objects and Minikko friends – and I know I want to to draw one for myself! Of course, their actual favourite thing is hanging out in the corner together.
I’d have to include about 20 images to really show off this collection so do watch the video and have a browse of the products to see all the details of each character’s favourite things. They’re shown off best in the square flat pouches that have a clip on the side for charms. There’s also small plush with the characters holding their one favourite thing and some special order plush sets too. The stationery is also amazing with individual sticker sheets and file folders that explain their favourites a little more, as well as notebooks, memo pads, erasers, pen caps and more. Oh, and some adorable mugs too.
Older San-X fans will be happy to see new items in their retro collection featuring the likes of Mamegoma, Nyan Nyan Nyanko, Tarepanda and Afro Ken. These clasp purses are so nostalgic and would definitely be one of those small joys every time I pulled it out to pay for something. It’s always fun to see how art styles change over the years – Rilakkuma is almost a different character now.
Rilakkuma only gets a few small collections of new products so let’s look at the Christmas plush, already selling out! The theme this year is Honey Forest Christmas, with Rilakkuma and friends (including the blue wolf) looking all cosy in fluffy capes and hats. Sumikko Gurashi’s have a Blue Twinkle Christmas theme with more fluffy clothing, crowns, bows and snowflakes – plus a hilarious Christmas tree with a frozen dust ball.
How to buy San-X
All the products for November are in the San-X shop now, though they’re also having some production delays so more may be added later this month. Almost everything listed is available to buy now but you’ll need to use a forwarding service outside Japan. Otherwise you need to keep an eye on official resellers, who may also have items that are already sold out at San-X. 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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