Can Sanrio Help Save Mattel?

If you have been following closely to Sanrio updates, then you would have heard about Barbie's Mattel obtaining a Sanrio licensing agreement.  If not, you can read it all here.

My question here is: Will Sanrio be able to bring back sales to Mattel? Will it in essence help save Mattel from going under to bankruptcy?

Without being biased, consider this -- Sanrio's popularity has slowed down quite a lot in America (excluding Los Angeles and certain parts of California) and was never a hit with most adults in other countries like Australia, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Ireland, Austria, Germany, etc. Basically, half the world does not know who or what is Sanrio. I don't even think this generation kids know who is Hello Kitty in those countries listed.

Sure, Asia knows Hello Kitty and Sanrio. Americans recognizes the face and name of Hello Kitty, but then that's it for them. Most Americans see it as a children's toy brand because that's what Sanrio has mainly focused for years. They didn't think anything further when they started opening stores in the States.

This strategy is probably why Mattel has signed a licensing deal with Sanrio. Mattel has said that it intends to create toys and games for "all ages."  It looks like Mattel plans to capitalize on Sanrio's adult fandom. 

Has anyone in the fandom considered why Sanrio cannot create it's own stuff for both kids and adults? You have to wonder if Sanrio has really fallen on hard times as well and does not have enough capital to create their own products other than cheap stationery, small toys, clothes, and knick knacks?

Dare I ask the question that burns in most fans' minds: "Are they near bankruptcy?"

Is this why Sanrio depends on collaborations and their Hello Kitty Cafes? So far, I don't think this will generate a lot of profits at this rate. 

If you cut corners.... *cough, cough*

Maybe they are using Mattel as a new strategy to keep afloat? Will it work to save both companies? 

It may be the best move yet for Sanrio. It brings them back on the map in America. Sanrio does not have a presence in the States (other than California), but a toy giant like Mattel has a huge network all over the country. This is a good alternative since Sanrio has closed many of their franchise stores across the States. 

Maybe this is their goal to slowly work back to being popular again through a toy giant and an upcoming Hello Kitty movie to be released in a few years. If Disney can do it, then why can't Sanrio follow in their footsteps with a film?

Remember that global domination dream? Will Sanrio be able to achieve it?

As for Mattel? Sanrio products may generate some results, but I have a feeling that sales will help somewhat - short term. You have to remember that Sanrio is not like the Disney brand. Disney rules for both children and adults. Disney has always said their brand was for all ages from the very beginning. It cannot be said the same for Sanrio. There are still a lot of American adults turned off by the cutesy image or the kitsch image of Hello Kitty. They don't see what adult fans see of Sanrio's uniqueness. 

Maybe Mattel can help with that image, but time will tell.

ARCHIVE: List of Cinnamoroll Birthday Dolls

I wanted to compile a list of Japan's Birthday dolls. Since I have limited information, here is a list that I could find through the help of Collectors and online resources.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the year 2019 that marks the first birthday doll for Cinnamoroll. I will be keeping a list for this character, even though I do not collect this character. I admire this character and feel that he earned it's right as one of the classic Sanrio characters of all time.

Status: REVISED as of 3/2021

2019

Japan

2020

N/A

2021

2022

Tribute to Pochacco

Have you noticed that this year marks the return of classics like Pochacco? If you have stepped into a Sanrio boutique recently, you'll notice that there are shelves of different Sanrio characters. It's an improvement since back then in 2012.

Pochacco Wall

I have missed Pochacco. It's been so long, fella, since we've last seen you. It felt like you were gone for a decade. Seeing Pochacco return in a big way with a first ever Birthday and Anniversary plush makes me feel happy and relieved. Relieved that one of my all time favorite Sanrio characters won't stay in "retirement" camp. More like jailed at Sanrio Headquarters-- if you know what I mean? ;p

Poor Momoberry.

Good to see you, Pochacco, and may you continue to rise in the ranks.

I'll leave you with some of really cute Pochacco plushes from Japan...

 2018

Collector Spotlight: Victor Paredes

I would like to introduce the 5th Collector on this special feature... 
a Hello Kitty Collector

Spotlight: Victor Paredes  
IG: the.pinkvictor
Country: USA

1.  Which character is your ultimate favorite?

I love Hello Kitty. She is my all time fave, but I do have a soft spot for the Little Twin Stars

2.  List your TOP 5 Sanrio Characters in numerical order.

Hello Kitty

Little Twin Stars

Kuromi

Gudetama
Pompompurin

3.  Do you collect other Sanrio characters beside your ultimate Fave?

I do have a few trinkets of the other characters, but all my bigger items are Hello Kitty

4.  How did you first start collecting? 

I first started collecting the charms and headphone jack plugs about 10 years ago. I loved having charms dangling from my phone. I wish phones still included charm hooks. Then, I started seeing all the cool collaborations with Hello Kitty. I fell in love with the Street Fighter collab. I saw t-shirts with The Simpsons and HK. I love the cool collabs with Hello Kitty. I have a good amount of Hello Kitty and Tokidoki, which is my all time fave collaboration. My collection has grown quite quickly that I now purchase a lot more clothing like shirts, hoodies, shoes, and backpacks. I have over a hundred plushies, so I've slowed down my plushie purchases. Now, I started collecting Hello Kitty themes on my Samsung galaxy phones. Samsung has their own theme store on their phones with tons of HK themes. My navigation buttons, keyboard, dial pad and notifications are all HK themed.

5.  Have you ever stopped collecting for a short to long periods of time?

I have never really stopped, just slowed down or focused on things that I will actually use. Now that the Sanrio stores have collectible pins free with purchase-- I'm shopping at least once a month. I'll buy pens for work or note pads, umbrellas, and small items that I can store away. 

6.  What type of Collector are you?

I've shifted from Collector to Full time Collector to Addict and back to Collector. I'm trying to be more rational with my spending. If it won't be used, I hold off from buying it unless I really really want it. I have gotten better with disciplining myself. Hello Kitty just makes me happy lol

7.  Would you describe yourself as a Hoarder? If someone called you a hoarder, would you be okay with it or try to defend your collector status? If so, what would you say to them?

I am a hoarder. LOL. I store my old boxes of electronics and shoes. I don't mind being called a hoarder. I'm honest with myself and I'm working on cleaning out my collection.

8.  As a collector, do you depend on your social media to display your collection? Do you think that is key to maintaining your obsession?

My Instagram account is dedicated mostly to my collections -- 99% of the photos are my collection.

9.  Ever since you joined the Sanrio Community, has it changed your life? Has being a Collector been beneficial to you? Please give details.

I feel happy when I wear my Hello Kitty swag. I would say that is my only benefit. It is an extremely expensive habit, so I have learned to cut back on random purchases of Sanrio merchandise. 

10.  Does any of your collection set you apart from other collectors? Or is yours the same like the rest?

I would say I'm very similar to most big Collectors. I may have a few unique pieces, but with the Amazon, eBay, and other online sites, it's pretty much an even playing field. Though living in Southern California, I do have the advantage of having several Sanrio stores near me.

11.  What type of things do you collect? If everything, then answer: Everything. Or if it’s specific, here’s a list of examples: plushes, dolls, figurines, statues, coin banks, stationery supplies, pens and pencils, erasers, trinkets, pencil cases, cases, purses, clothes, etc

pencil cases, cases, purses, clothes, etc
I collect lots of small trinkets and figurines, pencils, pens, note pads, plushies. Though, I don't purchase as many as I used to. T-shirts, hoodies, sneakers, some purses, lots of backpacks, and umbrellas. I want to start collecting jewelry and watches.

12.  What is your ULTIMATE #1 type that you cannot pass up to get:

I love clothing-- that is my new passion. If I find an awesome t-shirt or hoodie, I buy it on the spot.

13.  As collectors, we all have favorite pieces. What is your ULTIMATE favorite piece in your collection? Does it have a story behind it? How did it come about?

My favorite piece is my Hello Kitty Ninja Turtle collab. I have all four Ninja turtles in the shape of Hello Kitty. There are 4 inch vinyls that I purchased on eBay. Also, I love my 12 inch Chucky horror movie. There is no special story. I just stumbled on them while searching eBay. 

14.  Do you have any regrets in spending so much on Sanrio? If you weren’t a Collector, do you think you would be obsessing over something else? If so, what?

I have an addictive personality-- so, yes. If I did not obsess over Hello Kitty, I would still be purchasing Action figures and comic books. I still purchase a lot of comic book merchandise, but not as much as I used to. I love collecting Nintendo video games.

I've focused on my career as a Samsung Fields Manager to make sure that I can afford my habits lol

15.  How many years have you been a collector?

I have been collecting for about 10 years. 

16.  Can you give any advice to new collectors starting out?

My advice would be to follow other Collectors on Instagram as well as Sanrio stores. Sanrio Arcadia ships anywhere in the USA. They carry a lot of Tokidoki collaborations. Make sure to get pieces that you truly love and learn to let go of items that you feel that don't have any type of value.

17.  How would you describe yourself as a Collector?

I'm a Hello Kitty Hoarder and Enthusiast. Everyone who knows me always remembers me for my Hello Kitty obsession. My bosses have even given me items as well as my co-workers and close friends. I don't let significant others gift me items because I would get rid of it if we broke up.

.

18.  Can you share any experiences that someone insulted or insinuated something negative over your obsession personally to you? 

I was working as a Samsung rep inside Best Buy when I had 2 customers insult me. My job was to focus on pushing Samsung products, but I loved the Best Buy team so I would lend a hand with all customers. I noticed there was a Mother and son who needed help with printers. I walked over and they asked the difference between two models. I brought out my phone, which my screen and icons have always been HK themed. I could hear them laughing and mocking me for having it and being gay. I turned around and just told them that they now had to wait for a Best Buy rep to free up and help them because I was no longer gonna go out of my way to assist them. Also, I went on the walkie and let all the reps know about the situation. No one helped them. They ended up walking out. Most people love that I am a HK Collector. Usually, I make new friends that way.

19.  Objectively, can you see yourself still collecting Sanrio when you’re elderly? Full time or casually? 

I hope to move up in my career, so that I can have everything I own HK themed. LOL. I will always be an HK Collector. She brings a smile to my heart. 

20.  Do you have a storage area for your extra Sanrio merchandise? Is it for a future home or just a storage area?

I have no time to organize my collection. It is a mess. Most of it are in bins. I do hope to display it in it's own room in the near future. That is why I submitted an old picture of a portion of my collection.

ARCHIVE: List of Pochacco Birthday Dolls

I wanted to compile a list of Japan's Birthday dolls. Since I have limited information, here is a list that I could find through the help of Collectors and online resources.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the year 2019 that marks the first birthday doll for Pochacco. I will be keeping a list for this character.

Status: REVISED as of 3/2019

2019

30th Anniversary & Birthday

2020

TBA

2021

TBA

New Video!

This is me having a mini photo-op in Hollywood. Peace!

My Mission? Hello Kitty, of course!

ARCHIVE: List of Little Twin Stars Dolls

Here is a compilation of retro vintage dolls on Little Twin Stars. Sanrio has brought back their vintage LTS dolls in a big way starting in 2017. It appears to be a start of new set of dolls. Little Twin Stars Collectors are waiting patiently for the larger size dolls like seen below.  

Status: REVISED as of 2/2019

2010

Japan: Golden Memories Series

2017

Sanrio surprises fans by bringing back these retro style vintage dolls. There is no word yet if they will produce any of the larger size dolls like in the past. 

Japan: dolls features stringy hair

Japan: Same doll but different outfit. Bear outfit sold separately. Face mold is different.

2018

Japan: dolls features straight hair

2019

TBA

2020

TBA

2021

TBA

ARCHIVE: List of My Melody Birthday Dolls

I wanted to compile a list of Japan's Birthday dolls. Since I have limited information, here is a list that I could find through the help of Collectors and online resources. 

Status: REVISED as of 2/2019

Any help with pictures would be much appreciated!

2005

?

2006

?

2007

?

2008

?

2009

?

2010

?

2011

?

2012

?

2013

?

2014

Japan

2015

Japan

2016

?

2017

Puroland: only 300 pcs made

2018

Japan

2019

None for this year

2020

TBA

2021

TBA

Junolyn's Top 10 Hello Kitty Plushes

When you think of Hello Kitty plushes, does a few of your favorites come to mind? For me, I used to think that I was too picky to be called a plush collector. I had only bought one Hello Kitty puffalump (or Nylon) type of plush when I was a child and unfortunately, ended up leaving it in a McDonald's location on one morning. Like how every story goes...

I came back within 20 minutes and the beloved plush was gone. Since then, there weren't many plushes that captured my attention as years passed. Until now.

Here is a list of my favorite plushes, but in a variety of designs. I wanted to highlight the very best plushes to be designed over the years with style. Vintage 1976-1989s plushes are in a different category and are not part of this list. As well as Momoberry, which is excluded because it has earned it's own featured article.

Most likely down the road, I will do another plush article, but with a designer or series collection. I will announce it on my Twitter account when I narrow it down to one collection or so. There are just way too many Hello Kitty plushes out there. I will also do a Little Twin Stars/My Melody version, but not until I have 10 favorite special plushes or dolls to complete the list. 

Junolyn's TOP 10 Plushes for Hello Kitty

1.   Vivitix

When I first started collecting, I have never heard of the store called Vivitix located in Japan. Much like Momoberry, Vivitix was a brand invented by Sanrio to target teenagers, who are more into trendy, cute, and cool goods. 

Out of all Vivitix, this one plush has captured my heart and soul. It's designed in a silver theme dress and with a silver crown to match. It's like she stepped out of the pages from a storybook, where there are fantasy fairytales told in detail.

A remarkable beauty that transcends through time and age. A classic in my mind.

2.   Japan Wedding Bride

This second plush is one of my all time favorites. It is a weight doll, which means that if you have a baby, you can have the doll weigh the same amount as your newborn. Also, it comes with an engraved birthdate and the name of your child. Unless it's for you, then you can get it customized to your information. I had my name engraved on it's foot. It made the plush even more special in my mind. It was personalized just for me.

This plush is my first wedding bride that I have owned. With her beautiful pink and white wedding gown and the material of the plush--- it was all quality that I liked. 

3.   Steiff

There are only 1500 dolls made for this 2010 Steiff Collaboration plush. It is made of top quality mohair angora. This is the type of plush that would add quality to a collection of plushes. The design and material are the main factor in what I like about this plush. It's a classic red theme Hello Kitty with a bear.

4.   Japan Birthday Plush 2016

Cr: SUZY POP93

There are very few Birthday plushes from Japan that has caught my eye. The bow and design on the dress sealed the deal for me once I saw it. The pretty roses on the bottom with the pink bow in the middle of the dress are visually appealing to my aesthetics. I'm definitely what you call a girly girl.

5.   Sanrio Puroland Plush

I saw this by chance on Youtube in a glass display case by just itself. I knew I had to have one of my own when I saw her on a Hello Kitty fan Youtube Channel. I believe it comes in 3 sizes as a plush. The third size is a keychain, I believe. The formal gown and pastel pink gloves are what makes Hello Kitty so very charming. She can dazzle you in all type of outfits. As you can guess, I love fancy styles of Sanrio.

6.   Puroland's Birthday Plush 2018

This plush earns a special spot in my heart. I love the ruffles on the dress. I like the little stones and accessories on the plush. This is another girly girl type of plush that always gets my attention. The baby pink gloves just adds class to it. Again, I am a goner for another special made plush. Also, another pleaser, it has only 100 pieces made. I am one of the lucky owners. :p

7.   Hong Kong Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant

Cr: The Nanfang

This souvenir was created for a Chinese teahouse style Hello Kitty restaurant. It debuted in 2015 to mix reviews. Unfortunately like many of Asia's gimmick character cafes, they were not able to entice back their first-time customers-- nor able to get new customers. It was reported that it closed it's doors. One good thing that came from this theme restaurant was the plush. Dressed in the beautiful classic red and gold Chinese style, it is a plush that stands out with it's own beauty. 

8.   HK Go Around 

Cr: carousell

This carnival themed plush was created for a special Hello Kitty event that took place in Singapore and Malaysia. What I liked about the plush is that it's dressed in a cute carnival theme. The white polka dot and red bow with it's jumper suit and tie bow makes it one-of-a-kind plush. 

9.   Japan HK Crochet Plush

All I have to say are Pink and Black. Those two colors are a match made in heaven. Seriously, baby pink crochet with a sparkly black bow. Enough said. It's all mine. ;)

10.   Pottery Barn Teen Bluetooth Speaker Plush

Cr: PBteen

It's something special, isn't it? Instead of the normal color scheme of red and white-- the colors are gold and black. The plush is to die for in such classy colors. It screams "POSH!!" in capital letters. It's like it was made especially for an adult Hello Kitty Collector. I love love mine to death.

This concludes my Favorite Plush List for 2019, but I know I'll end up with more favorite plushes in the future. I'll most likely update the list in the next 10 years if there is any change to this list. Until next time!

ARCHIVE: List of Hello Kitty Birthday Dolls

I wanted to compile a list of Japan's Birthday dolls. Since I have limited information, here is a list that I could find through the help of Collectors and online resources. 

Status: REVISED as of 03/2021

Any help with pictures would be much appreciated!

1996

?

1997

?

1998

?

1999

Japan: only 800 pcs made (25th Anniversary)

2000

2001

?

2002

Japan: only 500 pcs made

2003

?

2004

?

2005

2006

?

2007

?

2008

?

2009

?

2010

?

2011

?

2012

2013

?

2014

?

2015

Japan

Puroland: only 100 pcs made

2016

Japan

Puroland

2017

Japan: only 1200 pcs made

Puroland

2018

 Japan: only 1800 pcs made

Puroland: only 100 pcs made

2019

Japan: only 2150 pcs made

2020

Japan: only 2380 pcs made

2021

TBA