Blue/Green Which Color Do You Like? Rilakkuma Plushie + New! Space Lawson Rilakkuma Plushie +Photos from the Rilakkuma x Tower Records Café!

Say hello to this Which Color Do You Like? Rilakkuma!

In this series, you can pick and flip between two colors – it’s like 2 outfits in 1!

Which Color Do You Like? Series - green full

Are you green with envy?

Which Color Do You Like? Series - disrobed

Laundry day?

Which Color Do You Like? Series - blue full

Flip the hoodie inside-out, and be blue instead!

Which Color Do You Like? Series - blue back

Looking fly from the back, too!

Which Color Do You Like? Series - lanyard detail

One interesting feature is that this Rilakkuma plushie has a lanyard attached by two lobster clasps to the top of his head (directly on the bear, not the hoodie).

Which Color Do You Like? Series - tag art

Tag art makes Rilakkuma the star!

One of my favorite details is the secondary star theme: a bear shape made of gold stars on the front, as well as stars on the back, tag, and lanyard.

In addition to being quite versatile, the hoodie is really well designed too, allowing lots of space for his ears to get in and out. The only major obstacle in changing colors is minding the paper tag.

This two-tone bear was released in May 2013 as part of the Which Color Do You Like? Series, which featured lots of cool and special edition colors in addition to this blue/green combo.

Though this bear was acquired last year when I was in Japan, I somehow neglected to write about this since he’s technically my brother’s Rilakkuma.

Hungry for more Rilakkumas in Space? You’ll love the Space Rilakkuma Lawson Exclusive!

Lawson Space Rilakkuma - 1

Astronaut Rilakkuma in outer space with Kiiroitori!

Lawson Space Rilakkuma - 2

Cute Kumartians with Korilakkuma under a pink bear planet!

Hey, pretty cool! Looks like Kiiroitori gets featured twice, that’s a good deal for him! The little poofs they’re sitting on are a nice touch.

They are each 1,944, and these suave Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma sets are available from HMV online, or through the Loppi system. You can make your pre-order now, but these plushies won’t actually be released until… November 19? Dang, it’s just like the time Ariel (Rilakkuma Desu) waited all that time for her Lawson Rilakkuma Wonderland playset last year, guess they’re doing the same thing again this year.

But in any case, they look really great, and could be worth the wait if you’d like this special set in your collection! I’m passing since I already way overspent on Rilakkuma this month, but let me know if you need help ordering.

In other news, while you’re waiting for your Space Rilakkumas to arrive, check out these photos of the Rilakkuma x Tower Records Café in Shibuya!

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe 2014 - 1

Enjoying a refreshing drink, Rilakkuma?

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe -2

What a cute welcome display!

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe - 7

“May I take your order?”

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe - 3

Looks like Rilakkuma would like to take a break at the café, too.

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe - 4

The Rilakkuma Factory plushie working hard as a paperweight… or is he pretending to be a cup, too?

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe - 5

We’ve seen a sneak peek of the rice Rilakkuma before, but ooh check out the desserts!!

Rilakkuma Tower Records Cafe - 6

Rilakkuma Factory x Tower Records Cafe products!

Whoa, so awesome!! As you may recall, this café is part of this summer’s Tower Records x Rilakkuma collaboration, and features a cute nod to the Rilakkuma Factory Series.

Definitely love this concept! I hope to visit Japan one day in the future when one of these is going on! Dang, I would even want to keep the plastic cup from this collab hahaha.

Reminds a little of the Rilakkuma themed café in Korea, Capi Capi Loom Loom! Oooh this blogger’s post shows that Capi Capi Loom Loom has Which Color Do You Like? Rilakkuma too! :3 Hopefully I can visit that café one day as well!

Also, if you’re curious, I’ve updated the Licensed Rilakkuma Plushie Collection page (so far: Fansclub, HNA, Mister Donut)- which made me realize I still have a ton more to photograph! So the page my reflects all the licensed plushies I’ve featured on my blog so far, but know that there is more to come!

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!

2013 Christmas Fansclub Korilakkuma & the Indifferent Snowperson strikes again!

So it’s a little past scarf season here, but this is relevant to current events, I swear!

Introducing: 2013 Christmas Fashion Korilakkuma!

2013 Christmas Fansclub Korilakkuma - full

Welcome to the family!

2013 Christmas Fansclub Korilakkuma - hat detail

A festive party hat for Korilakkuma! And not her first red hat, either.

2013 Christmas Fansclub Korilakkuma - tag art

Tag art! Seems like a huge stocking might be warmer than the scarf she’s got on haha

2013 Christmas Fansclub Korilakkuma - family

A white winter family!

So stylish! This cute Korilakkuma was released by Fansclub for the Christmas season in October 2013!

Gigantic thank you to Trinie again for this beautiful plushie! This lovely Korilakkuma will join the ranks of my slowly growing winter/Christmas collection – I love her!!

Elsewhere, the Indifferent Snowperson (ISP) from the Christmas 2011 Net Shop Exclusive Playset makes another appearance in the Tokyo Skytree 2nd Anniversary Series!

Tokyo Skytree 2nd Anniversary - ad

Peek-a-boo! I see you, ISP!

This cute set is prepared for any type of weather! Korilakkuma’s umbrella is really quite swell, but kind of sad she’s not covered up in a raincoat like the rest of them.

I really love how ISP has made an appearance in this series, just like the Sendai 1st Anniversary series! I don’t really understand why ISP is in this series, but I’m not complaining haha (ETA: reader nicolinamarina notes that with the appearance + the combo with the umbrella and rain ponchos, that ISP might be used here as teru teru bozu! Great catch!)

Each of these plushies is a cool 1,300, and will be released on May 22 – hey, that’s the day before my final exam!

Also as a sidenote, there are a few Sweet Happy Rilakkuma events going on across the Rilakkuma Stores in Japan too, featuring special editions coasters and photo sessions at select locations!

And finally, inspired by Ariel’s post – I hope everyone is enjoying cherry blossom season, it’s so beautiful! Here are some of my favorite Rilakkuma Lifestyle tumblr photos from last year:

Rilakkuma Lifestyle - Psychadelic Rilakkuma

Happy spring!

Rilakkuma Lifestyle - Cherry Blossoms 1

I have this one in blanket form, too!

We don’t have too many cherry blossom trees down here in Florida, but with the weather being nice again, I’m inspired to do another outdoor Rilakkuma photoshoot too! :D

Aloha Rilakkuma Plushie – Rilakkuma Store Exclusive! + Simon wins the Mira Plush Art Contest!

Super exciting news!! Check out our cute new Rilakkuma Store Exclusive Aloha Rilakkuma plushie!

Aloha Rilakkuma Store Exclusive - full

Aloha, Rilakkuma!

Aloha Rilakkuma Store Exclusive - shade detail

I’d like a pair of shades like that!

Aloha Rilakkuma Store Exclusive - back detail

And his name is embroidered on the back of his shirt!

Aloha Rilakkuma Store Exclusive - tag art

Relaxed Rilakkuma on the tag art!

Aloha Rilakkuma Store Exclusive - family

The newest member of the Aloha Rilakkuma family relaxing in the sun with his pals!

I love how our Aloha Rilakkuma family has been expanding recently! This sunshine-ready bear is the Rilakkuma Store exclusive plushie from the Aloha Rilakkuma series, released in April 2013!

He is particularly special to us because Simon won him in the Spring 2014 Mira Plush Art Contest!

Simon, our resident Rilakkuma portrait artist, submitted the following piece, featuring the Rilakkuma Marine Series:

Simon Ho - Rilakkuma Crossing The Ocean

Rilakkuma Crossing The Ocean
Digital Painting
Rilakkuma Crossing The Ocean is inspired by Washington Crossing the Delaware, an 1851 oil-on-canvas painting by the German-American artist Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, painted to commemorate General George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. While Marine Rilakkuma is likely too lazy to be a general in the military like Washington, Rilakkuma Crossing The Ocean represents thoughtful reflection and serenity as Rilakkuma and pals drift across the ocean in their newspaper boat on a lazy afternoon.

Thanks so much for sponsoring this contest and so generously supporting the Rilakkuma art community, Mira Plush! Make sure you check out Mira Plush’s online Rilakkuma store – I’ve purchased from them before, and they’re very fast and reliable! Mira Plush also has a great new WordPress blog full of fun photos, so be sure to support them there, too!

It’s really so fun to share Rilakkuma art with the community! CONGRATULATIONS, Simon!

Mira Plush Drawing Contest - BD bear

Hey, even Rilakkuma likes to draw, too!

For Simon’s next work, he’s considering doing an interpretation on the new Rilakkuma in Space Series to be released in July. We’re constantly thinking of new Rilakkuma scenes and inspiration for Simon to draw – ideas are welcome!

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!

Royal Rilakkuma Plushie! + Winter Updates

Christmas came early this year!

Hello Royal Rilakkuma!

Royal Rilakkuma - full

Lookin’ regal!

Royal Rilakkuma - crown

A fluffy Rilakkuma crown!

Royal Rilakkuma - dango detail

Dango fit for a king!

Royal Rilakkuma - keychains

Also two super adorable Rilakkuma keychains and a bookmark (for all my med school textbooks hahaha).

Wow! This set really shows a diverse representation of Rilakkuma over the years! This regal Rilakkuma is a Fanclub UFO plushie from their 10th anniversary series released in August 2013! The bookmark shows the classic Rilakkuma design, while the keychain features Rilakkuma from the 2011 Rilakkuma Meets Honey Series! The relaxing Rilakkuma plush keychain is also a Fansclub Rilakkuma plush from their Happy Picnic release from March 2013 – doesn’t he look a lot like the Happy Picnic Caravan plushie from 2012? Hehehe he’s so cute and relaxed!

This beautiful set came from the super generous Jennifer! Thanks so much again and again for all of your support, your generosity really cheers me up when times get tough, and your warm wishes always brighten my day!

What else is new in the Rilakkuma world?

Rose Series - set

Oh, how pastoral!

Rose Series - individual plushies

Like an early Valentine’s set!

Rose Series

This release really took me by surprise!

San-X will be opening a temporary Rilakkuma Store in Nagoya as a special event from December 26 to January 6 where they’ll be selling plushies and other merchandise from the new Rose Series! After the event is over, the other 8 Rilakkuma Stores will be selling these plushies on January 11.

The set with all three (top) will be 5,000円, and the individual plushies will be 1,780円 each.

How special! The temporary store set-up is pretty interesting, and I don’t recall San-X doing an event like this before. Ariel at Rilakkuma Desu suggested that maybe they’re testing the waters for opening a new Rilakkuma Store there soon? We’ll see!

Rilakkuma x Yamanote - cushion

Choo choo!

Rilakkuma x Yamanote - XL plushies

Large plushies for this release!

Rilakkuma x Yamanote - toy train

Wow, a Rilakkuma toy train!

Rilakkuma x JR Yamanote Line

YAY I’m so glad San-X has decided to expand on this line – it’s one of my favorites! The collaboration between Rilakkuma and the JR Yamanote Line began in the summer, but I guess it was successful enough to merit an additional release of merchandise!

The train car cushion (3000 円) and the large stationmaster and fan plushies (5500 円 each) will be released on December 20 – they’ll also be available for purchase at the San-X Net Shop! In addition, they are also releasing little nameplate keychains, too. I already have the small Yamanote stationmaster and fan, but I might ask for the train car cushion as an early Christmas present hahaha

In addition, they’re also releasing a (non-plush) Rilakkuma x Yamanote toy train! They’ll be available at Rilakkuma Stores and department stores all over Japan for 2400 円 starting at the end of December. How cool! I usually only get the soft Rilakkuma products, but this is such a cute toy, and it even runs on toy train rails on battery!

Rilakkuma Recipe Book - pages

Some really beautiful dishes inside! These pages feature “Seafood Bowl”, “Rilakkuma-Spa Soup”, “Sweet Cupcake”, and “Ricotta Pancake”!

Recipe Book

Recently, there have been a few interesting minor releases here and there like the new exercise line with a Rilakkuma trampoline, a few Rilakkuma-themed pickles, and a potpourri of new kitchenware items like ginger graters, sausage picks, and ladle holders – but my favorite recent one is the new Rilakkuma cookbook!

Since I can’t read Japanese, the actual recipes would probably be of no use to me, but the photography and visuals are really quite inventive well done! It’s pretty cool because it seems like a lot of the recipes were inspired by existing Rilakkuma designs/plushies, like the cover! This cookbook sells for 1155円, and will be available starting December 13.

Really cute! Maybe I’ll try to pick one up if I end up at a Kinokuniya again :)

Year of the Horse - Rilakkuma Store XL plushies and coasters

Almost 2014!

Year of the Horse 2014 XL plushies

In addition to the regular individual plushies and the special Rilakkuma Store exclusive set, San-X will also be releasing their usual XL sitting versions of the individual plushies on January 2 in 2014 for 13800円 in Rilakkuma Stores as well as the Net Shop.

While I likely won’t be getting these XL plushies, I’m really quite partial to this series because horse is my zodiac sign, but also because the illustration with all 3 of them under the horse is just so cute and unique! I think San-X went in a really bizarre direction with it, but I think it paid off and I appreciate it a lot for the creativity! I’m expecting the set sometime soon, and I can’t wait!

In other news, both fortunately and unfortunately haha school has been picking up this week since we have a huge midterm next week that covers the past 10 weeks of anatomy/physiology/histology/embryology – our exam will last the entire day! Good news though, is that once it’s over, I have winter break with finally some time to relax with my Rilakkumas haha. I really felt like I’ve learned a lot this semester, and Rilakkuma has been with me the entire way!

Hope everyone’s enjoying the holiday season!

1 year anniversary!

Hello! I’m so excited because today celebrates the 1 year anniversary of my first post on this blog!

Happy 1st Anniversary, Rilakkuma Lifestyle!

The Rilakkuma family in my apartment! (The rest are at my family’s house)

Yay!

With the anniversary, it’s so wonderful to reflect on all the great things that have happened just over the past year! With a week’s head start to Thanksgiving, I just wanted to say thanks for reading and following Rilakkuma Lifestyle; I’ve really enjoyed writing this blog, and I enjoy the community even more!

I feel like the international Rilakkuma community has grown stronger and tighter, and it’s really so inspiring to read everyone’s comments and blogs – you all really keep me going!

Keeping up with Rilakkuma together with everyone is really such an honor – I’ve made some wonderful friends and connections, and I’m so very grateful!

Here’s to another great year! <3

Much love,

Faith

ETA: San-X just announced that they will also be releasing a Rilakkuma Store Exclusive plushie for the Year of the Horse, in addition to their standard lineup! In addition, Rilakkuma Stores will also be selling an exclusive Rilakkuma lacquerware set!

Ariel from Rilakkuma Desu and I were just discussing the possibility of this the other day! It’s like our wishes came true! What a great anniversary gift hahaha

Year of the Horse Rilakkuma!

Wow, it feels too early to think about 2014 already, but I guess it’s already around the corner!

2014 marks the year of the horse, and to celebrate, San-X will be releasing their yearly zodiac plushie!

Year of the Horse - Rilakkuma

Yea or neigh?

Year of the Horse - Korilakkuma

Rilakkuma’s an all-brown horse, while Korilakkuma is an all-white horse (what a singular color palette).

Year of the Horse - Kiiroitori

I think Kiiroitori makes a really unconvincing horse haha

The price is a random 1,764円 each, and they go on sale at Rilakkuma Stores everywhere (including the Net Shop) on December 7, while select international stores will have a delayed released (generally about a month or two later).

I think I’ll have to pick at least one of these up since I was born in the year of the horse! In fact, due to my birth year (1990), I’m actually a metal horse. Apparently, that means I have a really unpredictable personality – but I’ve never really been one for horoscopes haha.

I’ll probably wait for the international release and buy from a US carrier so I can save a bit on shipping.

There’s really been quite a large representation of quadrapeds in the Rilakkuma lineup this year, hasn’t there? Rilakkuma and friends were sheep (Aries)/bull (Taurus)/lion (Leo)/goat (Capricorn) for the Zodiac, riding horses in Wonderland, being deer for Happy Natural Time, and now they’re dressed as horses! Definitely lots of animals this year haha.

In other news, I caved and bought a Rilakkuma scarf from their recent knitwear line – but hey, it’s been getting a little windy and chilly over here, so it’ll definitely see a lot of use. Can’t wait until it gets here!

Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary Plushie!

Finally here – the Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary Plushie!

Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary - full

Just hanging out.

Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary - fish

Mr. Red Sea Bream says “Hello!”

Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary - Kiiroitori

Kiiroitori rides along in the back!

Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary - tags

Red fabric ribbon says “Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary!”

Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary - coasters

Plus some Halloween coasters! My first Halloween-themed Rilakkuma items actually haha

He kinda looks like a Christmas ornament, doesn’t he?

Oh my gosh, I pre-ordered him way back in September and just received him this weekend because I was waiting for the Happy Natural Time Series Caravan design to be announced for the longest time. Ah well, he is definitely worth the wait!

As I mentioned in a previous post, the first Rilakkuma Store (Umeda) opened five years ago – to celebrate, San-X released both an anniversary plushie specific to the Umeda branch (chestnut-themed) as well as an anniversary plushie for the Rilakkuma Stores as a whole (this guy!).

Rilakkuma and Kiiroitori are riding a big red sea bream (鯛, tai), a symbol of good fortune in Japanese culture. There’s also a Japanese proverb “腐っても鯛” (Kusattemo tai) which roughly translates to “No matter how spoiled/old, it’s still sea bream” because even when sea bream isn’t very fresh, its flavor lasts longer than most other fish so it’s still good to eat (turns out that the fish produces a substance, inosinic acid, that decomposes slower than most fish and helps it resist spoiling!). Following, this proverb reflects how even in dire circumstances or old age, a person of quality still has their worth.

Hopefully this Rilakkuma and sea bream will give me some good luck for my upcoming medical school years!

In other news, the Rilakkuma x Enherb collaboration is gearing up again!

Rilakkuma x Enherb 2013 - Winter ad

I love their ad this year!

Looks like they’ve extended their product line since last year with some honey/herb mix and bath salts, which is great to see!

The Enherb collab is close to my heart because (1) I love tea and (2) it was one of my very first posts on my blog!

Speaking of flashbacks to old loves, how CUTE is this new ad for the new Sumikko Gurashi tableware line?

Sumikko Gurashi - tableware ad

Too cute to eat?

Appropriately, Tonkatsu is positioned at the very end of the cutlet hahaha

So amazing to see San-X developing Sumikko Gurashi! My sister has the mini plush like the one in the photo, and we both have the larger/regular sized one too!

Tonkatsu has always been my favorite, and like Enherb, was also the subject of one of my blog’s earliest posts :D

Speaking of which, Rilakkuma Lifestyle’s 1 year anniversary is coming up on the 21st – wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year already!