2018 Best Sanrio Merchandise

Here is a look back on the merchandise that Sanrio has released last year in 2018. The list highlights the best merchandise for that particular year. 

Decorations

USA

This diorama collectible is one that stands out for being more detailed and being a rare-of-a-kind on higher quality craftsmanship. We need more of this kind of collectible than the usual cheap small snowglobes. 

 Plushes

 Sanrio Puroland birthday plush

JAPAN birthday plush

JAPAN

The best type of doll or plush are the ones that are made with quality. As seen above, there are no comparison to the rest of the other plushes released in 2018. 

Collectibles

JAPAN

HK Grand Cafe mug and headband

These collectibles are a fan favorite among Collectors. The coin pouch purses turned into a ceramic coin bank is another creative homage to the original first Hello Kitty item, the coin purse (pouch).

Tableware

JAPAN

I'm in love with their new wooden tableware collection that they first released in 2017. It was a very small collection set, but in 2018 - Sanrio has expanded to include larger wooden plates and more. 

Kawaii Decos

JAPAN

These are night light lamps that can brighten any collection. They are very cute and more importantly, the design of it is not a normal standard Sanrio product. It's one of a kind type of collectible that is not in the usual range of expected merchandise from Sanrio. 

Ceramics

JAPAN

The only coin bank shaped in character form was released in 2018. I've added yet another ceramic coin bank to my collection. 

Appliances

USA

This plastic candy auto dispenser is a great addition to kittify my future home. Again, something out of the norm product that Sanrio has released for us, Collectors! Keep it coming. 

Desktop Items

 USA

JAPAN

Japan Post Seal Stamps

These items above are what makes Sanrio special. These are not ordinary PLAIN office pens or erasers. These are kawaii decorative pens and erasers that stands out to scream, "too cute for words!"

We, Collectors, die for this type of cute pens and erasers. What I LOVE about these erasers are the fact that it has tiny Hello Kitty prints on the whole body of the eraser. It is rare that I love the design of both these pens and erasers since the 90s.

Last on this list are Hello Kitty stamps released in Japan. I've just begun collecting Hello Kitty stamps in 2017, so these are my second set of Japan Post stamps. I'm waiting for Japan to release more stamps on other Sanrio characters.

Like stickers, one day my collection of Sanrio stamps will grow larger and larger.

For now, this concludes my list for the year 2018 on the best merchandise. Hope your Sanrio collection has grown since then. Happy Sanrio Hunting!

What Are Gimmicks?

Gimmicks are well formed tricks in persuading a consumer to part ways with their money. A lot of branding concepts out there are usually in gel, liquid, or powder form. Often times, they do not match with collaborations with character brands, unless it's customized to character shaped containers or physical shaped forms. 

For a good example, the Creme Shop sheet masks have actual Hello Kitty prints on them, but I don't know how you can justify it when you have to throw it away after one use. Same with below.

Cinna Lip Balm

The products above is part of the beauty line, but more so on the accessories side than the actual beauty product (the liquid lip gloss and gel balm), which is hard to justify the kawaii gimmick of just covering it with art. A simple placing of a sticker can easily do the trick. 

Cr: Proactiv

The only viable character branding exception is Proactiv's cleansing brush. It is true to something that is unique where you have the item as a character shaped brush. This is what physical character branding is all about and not about decorating it with only a superficial sticker. This is where your money is well spent and justified.

 Makeup removal wet wipes

Bath bomb. The plastic packaging is the only art provided.

I would hope most people in general are more smart with their money. Above are gimmicks that does not have any physical sense of connection to the character. 

Take for instance the fake eyelashes. Seriously?

I could never buy and justify spending my hard earned money for just the Hello Kitty paper that comes with the eyelashes. It just baffles my mind. 

From most feedback that I have heard about these wines or champagnes are that they are very pretty as decor, but they do not taste good. It's why I don't own one. I don't see the justification of buying a bottle. If the art is printed on the bottle, then that's different and I would justify buying it. 

Although, I have to say-- they are very pretty to look upon.

Lastly, I have come to my final example of a gimmick. There was a sweet dessert collaboration with Yogurtland. The product is the liquid form of yogurt ice cream. There's no way to shape it in the form of a character. So, what was provided was character shaped plastic spoons and paper cups. Mind you, decorated printed paper cups. 

These paper cups do age and are completely useless after years stored away. It's not something you can keep long term and in good physical form. As for the plastic spoons, it's not worthy enough to justify this collaboration.

The Yogurtland collaboration was just a simple form of a gimmick marketing. Their goal was to draw fans to their franchise stores. If you always went there, then I would see no changes to your regular routine. If you didn't go there often, was it for the bragging? 

Gimmicks are there, but most times if you're smart with your money-- you will think twice about it. I do on many, many occasions because I use my money on actual Sanrio products to decorate my home or to cross things off my wishlist. It's why I have a variety of collectibles in my collection rather than all plushes or of the same type of product.

Are you smart with your money?