New! Rilakkuma Meets Dr. Yellow!

Back from Charleston, and ready to get back into the (Rilakkuma) swing of things! I hope to post a few of my photos on this blog, once I get around to sorting through the hundreds of takes haha.

In what feels like news to welcome me home, San-X swarms us again with a dashingly cute collaboration with JR (Japan Railway) this summer: Rilakkuma Meets Dr. Yellow!

Rilakkuma Meets Dr. Yellow - cover art

“Rilakkuma’s ears and Kiiroitori’s body are yellow. The yellow color brings you happiness.”

Rilakkuma Meets Dr. Yellow - Rilakkuma Store exclusives

Wow! Cheerfully yellow Rilakkuma Store Exclusives (from top left): collectible 22 cm plushie (1,900円), keychain (1,300円), standing plushie (2,100円), and camera strap (2,200円). Standing plushie and camera strap will both be available on the Net Shop as well.

dryellow-3

And this time, Rilakkuma even gets to be a Dr. Yellow!! And Kiiroitori gets to play stationmaster. Available at Rilakkuma Stores as well as select locations: Rilakkuma as Dr. Yellow (1,900円) and Kiiroitori (1,900円).

Rilakkuma Meets Dr. Yellow - face close-up

“Ready for my close-up!”

Now this was a collaboration I really didn’t see coming!

Dr. Yellow (ドクターイエロー) is the nickname for the high-speed test trains used on the Japanese Shinkansen (bullet train) – as the name implies, these train cars are “doctors” that help diagnose problems on the track, and sport a beautiful bright yellow! A lovely complement to the lime green theme from last year’s Rilakkuma x Yamanote Line collaboration.

And just like the Yamanote collaboration too, looks like Korilakkuma got left out again :[

Specifically for this collaboration, Rilakkuma represents a Dr. Yellow Class 923, as designated on his shirt and by the blue stripe.

No time to rest for this release y’all – these items and more (such as keyrings, storage boxes, and pens) will be available July 19! There will also be a special commemorative bag, and if you make a purchase over 1,900円, a commemorative sticker, too!

As a future doctor hahaha, I’m actually super drawn to this design, so even though my wallet is already tired from July, I feel like I have to have a bear from this series! But with the three different Rilakkuma designs, I’m having a hard time deciding which to choose! What are your thoughts?

New! Tower Records x Rilakkuma Summer 2014!

Well, seeing as the Tower Records collaborations come out around the same time every year, I shouldn’t be surprised anymore but WOW check out the new Tower Records x Rilakkuma collaboration for summer 2014!

Tower Records x Rilakkuma 2014 - cover

Oooh it’s 70’s roller disco themed!

Tower Records x Rilakkuma 2014 - standard plushies

Check out their fabulous outfits!

Tower Records x Rilakkuma 2014 - playset and keychains

Just like last year, there’s a playset featuring all 3 performing together on a bear-shaped stage! Looks like Rilakkuma only has one wheel per skate though haha maybe that’s why he’s too tired to stand.

Tower Records x Rilakkuma 2014 - cafe

In commemoration of this collaboration, Tower Records Café will also be offering a super cute Rilakkuma menu, unique products from the Rilakkuma Factory series, and a song book!

Wow, what a glam theme! I love the bright colors and outfits – I think San-X has really been showing their creativity this year! Such an interesting design choice to put Kiiroitori on a skateboard instead hehehe

The playset looks really lovely, and I appreciate that they’re continuing the “bear band” theme from last year! I wonder what they’ll think of next!

This flashy set will be released on July 10… because there just weren’t enough July Rilakkuma releases for us to juggle, right? Hahaha

My family will be taking a trip to Charleston, SC over the next week – I’m trying to enjoy every last vacation moment I have with my family!

I’ll be back soon though, still have lots of incredible plushies to share with all of you! Hopefully I’ll be able to take some photos of Rilakkuma in Charleston, too :) Until then, take care, and let me know what you think about this new design!

Lawson Vegetable Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori Plushies! Cat Series LEAK + Space Rilakkuma Caravan news and more!

Have you been eating healthy lately? Well if you need a little health food inspiration, check out these Vegetable Rilakkuma plushies!

Lawson Vegetable Series - full

So cute in their own produce crates!! Dang, it’s good to see Korilakkuma in a pair of shorts – usually it’s Rilakkuma hahaha.

Lawson Vegetable Series - top view

Wheee look how adorable Rilakkuma’s little carrot shoes are!! :D

Lawson Vegetable Series - Kii detail

Along with holding the vegetable they’re dressed as, they are also accompanied by an additional veggie in the crate that’s another costume in the series: cabbage for Rilakkuma, tomato for Korilakkuma, and carrot for Kiiroitori!

Lawson Vegetable Series - tag art

Tag art that mimics produce price tags! Each tag has the portrait of the character, and the veggie! These tags are held by a standard plastic tag ring in the back corner of the crate.

I really love them! They’re so great in their little produce boxes, and they certainly make me hungry just looking at them mmmmm

This healthy set of bears is part of the Lawson x Rilakkuma Vegetable Series released March 2014 – the complete set includes another 3 plushies: Rilakkuma cabbage, Korilakkuma tomato, and Kiiroitori green pepper – yum!

Also exciting news rolling in about the next leaked series after the Space Series, it’s the Cat Series!

Cat Series - ad standard

Roar!! Rilakkuma looks a lot like the Year of the Tiger series from 2010! And Kiiroitori is a Calico cat – did you know all Calico cats are female?

Cat Series - ad special

And look at these alternative designs – bears as cats you can fit in the palm of your hand, and ones big enough to hug!

Cat Series - ad illustration

And of course, a beautiful illustration to go with the products! I love the little non-costumed kitty they’re with, too!

Cat Series - taiyaki ad

Yum!! Looks like Cat Rilakkuma loves taiyaki!

Meow what a cool concept! Looks like San-X is sticking to animal suits for their fall series as they’ve been doing for the past few years. No official dates yet, but I would estimate October based on the pattern of previous years? San-X usually gives us 3 months to recuperate after the yearly July wave haha. I’ll keep you updated when San-X starts to release official news updates!

Thanks so much to reader Jennifer for the tip!! I’m actually pretty severely allergic to cats, so it’s probably fitting that the main cat I’d be able to interact with in person is a Rilakkuma cat hahaha.

And since it looks like Cat Rilakkuma loves to eat taiyaki (鯛焼き), a Japanese sea bream-shaped pastry dessert with yummy filling, we’d probably make fast friends! From the looks of it, Rilakkuma likes the chocolate-filled ones, just like me hehehe. I’ll probably try to pick up at least one item from this series, and I’m hoping one of the caravan or store exclusive plushies features taiyaki!! :)

Well, the Rilakkuma rains don’t show signs of stopping haha, as even more waves of news follow the Space Rilakkuma announcement from last week! Check out the Space Rilakkuma Caravan design!

Space Rilakkuma Caravan - ad

Whoa, that lining is out of this world! ;)

How special! Rilakkuma’s pose reminds me a lot of the Skytree set from 2012! And super lovely touch that Rilakkuma is holding the same plush bear planet that the costume bearsuits in the caravan will be holding as well!

This cosmic caravan will be going from July 12 to August 31 in various locations all across Japan, and this caravan exclusive plushie will be 1,780円.

Out of the blue, San-X also announced a mobile site exclusive Happy Natural Time playset!

Happy Natural Time Mobile Site Exclusive Playset - ad

Wow, look at all the different pies!

Whaaaat – ! I totally would’ve gotten this set if it were released with the rest of the Happy Natural Time series last year! They do look so cute eating their pies haha.

The whole set is 6,800円 – dang, bad timing for me with all of the other releases going on now, but maybe I’ll try looking for it again when the July buzz dies down a little.

And finally, to come full circle with the food theme I began this post with, San-X also released more merchandise with the Purple Yam and Green Bean pattern!

Green Bean and Purple Yam Pattern - ad

Perfect colors for the summer!

Yum! Recall that the first iteration of this purple yam and green bean pattern was back in May, and featured fans and smartphone cleaners – glad to see they expanded it into pouches and kitchenware! A pretty fitting application for this pattern, I think!

Importantly, haha, it’s great to see that Rilakkuma eats a balanced diet with lots of vegatables! Who knew Rilakkuma could become my food inspiration hahaha

Winter Donut Rilakkuma Plushie! + A July/Space Rilakkuma Announcement!

Still have a sweet tooth from Cupcake Rilakkuma? Check out this Winter Donut Rilakkuma!

Winter Donut Rilakkuma - full

“Would you like a donut?”

Winter Donut Rilakkuma - hat detail

Pretty little pearl beads on his winter cap!

Winter Donut Rilakkuma - donut detail

A glazed donut with sprinkles! (Is it “donut” or “doughnut”?)

Winter Donut Rilakkuma - tag art

Delicate pastel colors on the tag: “More Relax by Rilakkuma”

Winter Donut Rilakkuma - with Mister Donut

Building a donut community here in Bear Nation with Mister Donut Rilakkuma!

Yum! Still trying to understand the connection between the donut and wintertime, but I like to think it has something to do with donut frosting and a frosty winter hahahaha.

Though we’re in the opposite season of a snowy winter, every season is certainly donut season haha, so I think this plushie is still very appropriate for the moment, especially following Cupcake Rilakkuma. Or perhaps we can pretend we are living in the southern hemisphere for the moment.

This fluffy Rilakkuma is from the Fansclub Winter Pastel Series, which was released in November 2010! This release has such a lovely color scheme!

For sending me this donut-y Rilakkuma sweetheart, thanks so much to reader Trinie, who has a fantastic knack for sending me Rilakkumas that happen to be holding some of my favorite foods hehehe.

Since I was out of town this past weekend, imagine my surprise when I see all the new Rilakkuma releases flooding in!!

So strap in for the gigantic Rilakkuma wave of news: the Rilakkuma Space Series is here!!

Space Rilakkuma - cover

Really beautiful art with this one! Absolutely love the small details, like the dango with its own rings :)

Rilakkuma Space Series - standard release

Super fly full spacesuits for the standard release: 1,780円 each. HILARIOUS that Kiiroitori got a set of bear ears for its spacesuit hahahaha

Rilakkuma Space Series - Rilakkuma Store Exclusive

Rilakkuma and pals get their own planets for the Rilakkuma Store Exclusive release: 2,500円 each. I love the extra design motifs like the pile of donuts (perfect for this post)!

Rilakkuma Space Series - Rilakkuma Store and Kiddyland exclusive

Looks like the team met the local Kumartians for the Rilakkuma Store and Kiddyland Exclusive: 2,300円 for Rilakkuma, 2,000円 for Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori (each). I wonder what the Kumartians look like from the back – will they have zippers and tails too?

Rilakkuma Space Series - poster

Really phenomenal artwork!

WOW really this is such a beautiful series! I want them all haha I’ve pre-ordered the standard release Rilakkuma (yellow space suit solo), the whole set of “Kumartians” (great name coined by Ariel!) Rilakkuma Store/Kiddyland exclusives, and the Rilakkuma Store exclusive Rilakkuma (yellow space suit on a planet).

Ariel translated the long tagline name for us as “Outer space is far away from here~no gravity, time to relax” (Uchu No Kanatade Fuwa Fuwa Goron) – what a fantastic perspective to have! The abbreviated title for this you might also find (like on the poster and goods page) is 宇宙でだららん, which roughly means “Relaxing in Space” – seems like Rilakkuma would be really talented at that!

I think this series is absolutely incredible because of its creativity and detail! I really can’t wait to see the rest of this series (Caravan, Net Shop Exclusive) – too cool!

Super perfect release in so many ways, because I want to start playing Kerbal Space Program soon; it was on sale recently on Steam!

And of course, when when it rains Rilakkuma news, it pours: Harajuku Rilakkuma Store’s 2nd Anniversary designs were announced as well!

Harajuku 2nd Anniversary - announcement

Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma having fun on their inner tubes… and Kiiroitori as a mermaid (merbird)? 2,300円 each.

Such beautiful beach bums! I love these a lot because they remind me of my own beachy hometown in Florida – what a perfect series for the summer! Love that Korilakkuma even had little flippers on hehehe.

And finally, last but certainly not least, is another particularly striking plushie release: Rilakkuma’s tribute to Claude Monet’s La Japonaise!

Rilakkuma x Monet - La Japonaise comparison

Very accurate Rilakkuma-fication of Monet’s La Japonaise, IMO! Beautiful attention to detail on the fans, too.

Rilakkuma x Monet - plushie

And the painting is brought to 3D, in Rilakkuma plushie form, for just 2,484円.

Stunning! This release honors Looking East: Western Artists and the Allure of Japan, an exhibition about japonisme organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Did you know Claude Monet had a collection of over 200 Japanese prints, more in both quantity and quality of any other painter of this period?

Japonisme is a really fascinating facet of art history – and as a modern Japanese interpretation of piece of art produced by a European artist inspired by Japan, I think this Rilakkuma version is quite a subversive take on the Western gaze on the East that was so characteristic of japonisme. Go Rilakkuma!

I’m really excited about this plushie too since it merges art and Rilakkuma, a combination I really cherish posting about on this blog! I’m really temped to commit and purchase this one, but whew, gotta see what my budget looks like for the rest of the year. It’s a really beautiful tribute/collaboration piece!

Wow, Rilakkuma is so adventurous this summer – from beach, to art, and all the way to space! I think he has a more lively social life than most of us do hahaha.

Cupcake Rilakkuma Plushie!

Got a sweet tooth? Then you have to check out this Cupcake Rilakkuma!

Cupcake Rilakkuma - full

What a dainty cupcake bear!

Cupcake Rilakkuma - ear detail

The ears are my favorite detail: the change from the normal circular yellow ears to this pattern is really exquisite, and I love the sprinkles, too!

Cupcake Rilakkuma - back

“Rilakkuma” beautifully embroidered in gold in the back!

Cupcake Rilakkuma - tag art

And a perfectly pretty tag to match!

Cupcake Rilakkuma - with Sweets&Sweets Rilakkuma

Perfect pair: Cupcake Rilakkuma with the Cupcake King Sweets & Sweets Rilakkuma!

Adorable! This plushie is so special to me because he’s a deviation from the standard bear shape, and has such a unique and interesting shiny fabric, too – really breathtaking for me!

Also, this bear-cake is my first plushie from the Sweets Series from December 2009! What a cool design; I hope San-X will introduce more interesting bear shapes in the future like this one and the Mushroom Rilakkuma from the Forest Series Net Shop Exclusive.

Cupcakes are one of my favorite foods – he makes me so hungry! This plushie joins a long legacy of food Rilakkumas in my collection :D

Huge thanks to Trinie for this sugary-sweet Rilakkuma! What a wonderfully cute cupcake bear :D Wow – he really is a special plushie!

Hungry for more? Check out this Rilakkuma tofu box set!

Rilakkuma Tofu - Summer 2014

Ooooh, it’s “I Love Rilakkuma” themed!

Rilakkuma Tofu - shapes

Comes with 3 kuma face shapes, and one Kiiroitori face! I wonder what flavor sauce is on that Kiiroitori…

Rilakkuma Tofu - box uses

After you’re all done with the tofu, you can keep the box as a collector’s item – ingenious!

Handy! This clever tofu set is produced by Satonoyuki (さとの雪), which also released a similar Rilakkuma tofu product around the same time last year – no commemorative box back then though.

I think the box is a really smart marketing idea because I am a huge sucker for collectable items like those – seems like a great box to keep all of my smaller, non-plushie Rilakkuma items (like pins, finger puppets, and pizza cutters) safe!

Rilakkuma never struck me as a tofu-loving kind of bear, but I guess he eats all sorts of things haha. Tofu is also one of my favorite foods… though I think my list of favorite foods is rather long haha. What kind of food would you like to see as a Rilakkuma theme?

ETA (6/6/14): AHHHH the Space Rilakkuma Series has been announced and I’m out of town! I’ll post about it when I get back on Sunday but WAAOOOWW what a release!

Fairy Korilakkuma Fansclub Plushie!

A quick break from studying to spotlight an amazing new addition to my collection: Fairy Korilakkuma!

Fairy Korilakkuma - full

Wow, my first Halloween themed plushie!

Fairy Korilakkuma - magic wand detail

Cute bear magic wand detail!

Fairy Korilakkuma - wing detail

Whoa, what iridescent wings!

Fairy Korilakkuma - tag art

Tag art! Looks like Korilakkuma decided to dress as a witch for the tag instead haha.

So pretty! This Korilakkuma is part of the Fansclub release for the 2008 Halloween season! This plushie is particularly special because this series was released so long ago that it hadn’t been listed on the Fansclub website – wow, what a great part of Rilakkuma history!

So I know Halloween is a long time from now, but this Fairy Korilakkuma reminded me a lot of the butterflies that are out right now, so I thought it’d still be appropriate to showcase her today!

A gigantic thank you goes out to Trinie for this beautiful Korilakkuma! I’m so honored for the opportunity to showcase such an important part of Rilakkuma history! THANK YOU!

In other news, a new Rilakkuma Store exclusive line has rolled out: Rilakkuma Textile!

Rilakkuma Textile - announcement

Oh, what a beautiful color scheme!

Rilakkuma Textile - plushies

Ponchos!

Such an interesting design choice – they look pretty bundled up for the summer time!

Similar to the Comics Series that was released around the same time last year, this is a Rilakkuma Store exclusive line based on a pattern that also features plushies!

It’s great to know that San-X is appears to be sticking to a schedule for their releases so us Rilakkuma fans can brace ourselves for what types of releases to expect throughout the year!

Out of pattern, however, is the size of the plushies – last year’s Comics Series had the standard collectible size (~22 cm) plushies, but it looks like this release features the mini-plushies (~14-15 cm) like the store anniversary plushies from the past year. Like the other mini-plushies, each one goes for 1,300 円, and will go on sale June 7.

What do you all think? I have a soft spot for the standard 22 cm sizes when it comes to Rilakkumas (and I especially loved the way the hoodies looked on the standard sized plushies last year), because I’m more used to those proportions, but hey – maybe I’m just stuck in my “old” ways hahaha.

One week left in school! :O I’ve been motivating myself (or distracting myself) with these cute new 7-11 CF’s featuring Rilakkuma! Oh and Taiwanese drama stars Lego Lee and Kirsten Jen, too haha. Enjoy!

Rilakkuma Wonderland Drummer Rilakkuma Plushie!

Spring really came in full force this year – temperatures are already breaching over 90° F over here!

In the meantime, cool down by checking out this super suave drummer (timpanist) Rilakkuma!

Rilakkuma Wonderland - drummer full

Welcome to the band!

Rilakkuma Wonderland - drummer face detail

Smart dango drumsticks!

Rilakkuma Wonderland - drummer hat detail

What a fancy shako, Rilakkuma!

Rilakkuma Wonderland - drummer tail detail

And one of my favorite details: his pink tail!

Rilakkuma Wonderland - drummer tag art

And a beautiful illustration on the tag!

This talented Rilakkuma is just one member of an entire marching band of Rilakkumas from the Rilakkuma Wonderland Series from July 2013. I remember being super baffled by this plushie in particular because I didn’t know what was really going on with his snout? But I’ve really grown to love this design, and his expression while chewing is so adorable!

A few bits and pieces of Rilakkuma news from April:

The famous JR Yamanote Line x Rilakkuma collaboration expanded to include Kiiroitori!

Yamanote Line x Rilakkuma - coin purse

Swell backpack, Yamanote Fan Rilakkuma!

Yamanote Line - Kiiroitori

A Yamanote stationmaster Kiiroitori!

Super cool, and I’ve really loved this line since its debut last summer – but will Korilakkuma get her own outfit one day, too?

And, Rilakkuma gets suited up for soccer (or is it football?) with the Japan National Team!

JFA Soccer x Rilakkuma - ad

Such an athlete, Rilakkuma!

Adorable! I’m not much of a sports fan, but I can appreciate when Rilakkuma takes a break from being lazy (hahaha) and gets his exercise in hehehe.

Hungry for more Rilakkuma? New Rilakkuma collector Ellie has started her own Rilakkuma collection blog – she only started collecting about a month ago, and she already has a great and diverse collection. Be sure to check out her blog!

Rilakkuma Lifestyle - on Instagram

Whatchu thinkin ’bout, Rilakkuma?

Also, Rilakkuma Lifestyle now as an Instagram! Just for simple, silly photos that I snap of my collection when I get a free moment.

I regrettably haven’t updated the Rilakkuma Lifestyle tumblr recently (which was the site that started it all for me! Even before this blog existed) but I’ll make more time for Rilakkuma photoshoots once my first year of medical school finishes up in 2 weeks. I just have to power my way through hematology/oncology – I can’t believe I’m so close to being done with my first year!

Stripes Stripes Everyday Rilakkuma Plushie!

Not cold enough for penguins where I am right now, but I finally got my hands on a cute new Penguin Rilakkuma plushie!

Stripes Stripes Everyday - full

Hope you’re enjoying the warm weather, penguin Rilakkuma!

Stripes Stripes Everyday - penguin detail

The penguin face kind of reminds me of the Tamago Series!

Stripes Stripes Everyday Series - tag art

Tag art! Love the little striped booties they’re wearing!

This arctic delight is part of the Stripes Stripes Everyday Series, released in March 2014. His penguin suit is technically fully removable, but seeing as the only opening is the face hole, I wouldn’t recommend it haha.

The stripeless penguin outfit for the Stripes series is still somewhat of a mystery for me haha but I’m not complaining – this is one of my favorite Rilakkuma animal outfits yet!

Elsewhere across the ocean – anyone a fan of MTV? San-X hosted a Secret Room at this year’s MTV Movie Awards!

Guests at the MTV Movie Awards were about to stop by the booth for free stuff and learn about Rilakkuma – WOW! It would be my dream to be in one of those booths! I hope a San-X Rilakkuma event comes to Florida one day! :D

Check out this interview, too!

I want to meet Rilakkuma!

But speaking of Rilakkuma in Florida…

I went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando, and I discovered:

Universal Studios - Rilakkuma Round One Crane

The only Rilakkumas I’ve seen in Florida other than my own!

A Round One Rilakkuma crane game!

It was at the front of the arcade at the Marvel Super Hero Island, and a ton of people were trying to win a bear – it definitely drew a crowd! Someone got really close to winning a Korilakkuma, and I was so happy to see Rilakkuma being so popular :D

Thought it was kind of interesting that the Round One plushies here in the US have tags piercing the ear, but I think that’s been somewhat of a common thing in the licensed Rilakkumas these days.

In other news, spice up your automobile with these Rilakkuma hubcaps from MLJ!

MLJ - Rilakkuma hubcap silver

What a beautiful Rilakkuma hubcap!

MLJ - Rilakkuma hubcap white and valve cap

Hubcaps also come in white, and both colors come with a sneaky-cute Rilakkuma valve cap!

Wish I could get these for my car hehehe – I definitely appreciate how Rilakkuma is expanding to all types of different merchandise now (I wonder what’s next!). These hubcaps cost a pretty penny at 15000  and 17000 but they certainly look spectacular!

I hope everyone is enjoying their spring!

Shaved Ice Rilakkuma Plushie!

Well, it keeps getting warmer and warmer around here, so to chill out a little bit, say hello to Shaved Ice Rilakkuma!

Shaved Ice Rilakkuma - full

Hungry for shaved ice!

Shaved Ice Rilakkuma - spoon detail

Super cute spoon detail!

Shaved Ice Rilakkuma - bowl detail

氷(kōri) means “shaved ice”, and it’s usually served with a light syrup – yum!

Shaved Ice Rilakkuma - tag art

Tag art! Looks like Rilakkuma is looking forward to a huge dessert!

Lovely! Looks like he’s ready for seconds (or thirds) haha.

Fansclub released this plushie in July 2010, but what’s really interesting about this plushie is that he was part of the 7th Anniversary Happy Rainbow series – wow! I’m not sure what all shaved ice has to do with the rainbow series (I always thought they featured more ice cream in that line), but it’s really beautiful and one of my favorite series because of the colors :) The 7th anniversary series has always been on my wishlist, so I’m so glad to have this plushie in my collection!

The shaved ice motif actually reminds me a lot of the Harajuku Rilakkuma Store opening plushie from back in 2012!

Again, this beautiful plushie was courtesy of the ever generous Rilakkuma fan Trinie!! Thank you so much for sharing your love of rare and hard to find Rilakkuma plushies!

Also, I tweeted about this back when it was announced in January, but how BEAUTIFUL does this Ecole Criollo x Rilakkuma collaboration cake look?

Ecole Criollo x Rilakkuma - bar

What a wonderful heart theme!

Ecole Criollo x Rilakkuma - square

Wow, I really can’t believe how immaculately this was cut!

Looks delectable (and fancy)!

So much more to come! Can’t wait to share more Rilakkuma plushies with all of you!

Aloha Rilakkuma Fansclub Plushie!

Is it summer yet? Hahaha it certainly feels like it here in Florida – the weather is really heating up, and I’ve exchanged long pants and jackets for shorts and tank tops!

That makes it a perfect day to introduce Fansclub Aloha Rilakkuma!

Fansclub Aloha Rilakkuma - full

What an adorable hula dancer!

Fansclub Aloha Rilakkuma - lei detail

Check out his flower lei!

Fansclub Aloha Rilakkuma - tag art

Tag art!

Fansclub Aloha Rilakkuma - family

Aloha family photo featuring the Aloha Rilakkuma Caravan plushie and Lawson playset!

Doesn’t he look happy with all of his Aloha Rilakkuma family? So relaxed!

I do love this series a lot because it shows Rilakkuma doing so many activities: grocery shopping, hula dancing, surfing, and even sun tanning!

This adorable hula-dancing Rilakkuma was released by Fansclub in April 2013, during the height of the Aloha Rilakkuma release! He really gets me in the mood for sunny skies and warm weather :)

Thank you so much again and again to Trinie, for sharing this beautiful and relaxing Aloha Rilakkuma with me – he really fits in so well with the all of the other Aloha bears! :D

In other news, there are a few new things in the Rilakkuma world, like the Stripes Stripes Everyday Series Caravan plushie!

Stripes Stripes Everyday Caravan - Korilakkuma

Striped booties and a striped penguin!

Stripes Stripes Everyday Caravan - announcement

Penguin Rilakkuma and Polar Bear Korilakkuma will be at the Caravan holding Penguin Kiiroitori and a striped bear of their own! (I don’t think I’ve seen Korilakkuma wearing shorts before!)

How cute, a Korilakkuma caravan plushie! So nice to see the other members of the Rilakkuma crew getting some attention!

Simon, our resident Rilakkuma artist, really loves the little plush striped bear that appears in this series – I think he wants one just like the one featured in the caravan (bottom left corner), but I don’t think they’re for sale haha. I do like those Rilakkuma proportions for a maybe Craftholic-inspired bear hehehe.

And I’m also happy to share that another iteration of the Enherb x Rilakkuma collaboration was just released for this spring!

Rilakkuma x Enherb 2014 - Spring ad

Herbal tea can be perfect even when it’s sunny and hot out!

Rilakkuma x Enherb 2014 - Spring lineup

What a great selection of springtime flavors!

I love this collaboration! The strawberry rose honey looks really yummy, and I always love the illustrations that are paired with the teas :)

That’s all for now – off to study antibiotics! I hope everyone is enjoying the season!