Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi Plushies! + New! Rilakkuma goes to the Netherlands!

Beep beep! Say hello to the Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi train bears!

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - full

Beep beep! Two new train bears!

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - Komachi front

Each design differs slightly with each model. Komachi Rilakkuma’s front (hood) has a grey window panel, and two dashed white arcs.

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - Komachi side view

Komachi also has a single side door with two side windows.

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - Hayabusa front detail

Meanwhile, Hayabusa Rilakkuma’s hood has a narrower window with lights, and also the two dashed white arcs.

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - Hayabusa side view

Hayabusa Rilakkuma has two side doors, and has a lovely violet stripe at the base.

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - top view

While they came out together, each of them is very different by color and by design!

Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi - リラックマ×はやぶさ×こまち - tag art

Tag art: Rilakkuma and friends riding the trains!

I’m always so excited to introduce new bears to my transportation Rilakkuma collection!

This pair of bears from Komachi and Hayabusa came out in July 2015 as part of an ongoing collaboration between Rilakkuma and Japan Railways (JR). As I wrote in a previous post when this design was first announced, these two lines have very meaningful names, as Hayabusa (はやぶさ) means peregrine falcon (a bird that has the fastest speed in the animal kingdom), and Komachi (こまち) is named after a famous waka poet from the area, Ono no Komachi.

Of course, this all means that my transportation Rilakkuma collection just steadily grows…

Transportation Collection - 10-23-15

My complete transportation Rilakkuma collection as of today! Can’t wait to see which designs are next! Yamanote (x2), Hankyu (x2), Dr. Yellow (x2), Shinkansen, and now Hayabusa and Komachi!

I think this is my most complete series in my collection! One day, I’ll take them all to their origin trains like Liemzie did for her Hankyu Rilakkuma – make sure to check out her adorable photos and video of her Hankyu Rilakkuma at the Hankyu line in Osaka!

In other news, the second Cats Series came out this month, and I love the direction they’ve been taking with it this year!

Cats Series 2 - cover

A second year of cats!

Cats Series 2 - puppets

Standard line features Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma puppets in costume! 2,800円 for both.

Cats Series 2 - Net Shop exclusive

Net Shop Exclusive features a life-size (cat-sized) Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma in full costumes, nestled with kittens that look just like them! 8,424円 for both.

Remember the Cats Series from 2014? Looks like it was so successful that they revisited the cats theme again this year, too! 2015 is seeing lots of renewals, including the second iteration of Rilakkuma Factory! Personally, I love long term series that are revisited each year, like train bears, so I wouldn’t mind seeing other series revisited like the Bonjour Series or the Space Series!

I really adore the Net Shop Exclusive for this line because its to life-size! I love the Rilakkuma Cats Series because as someone who is highly allergic to actual cats, this is as close as I can get to snuggling with a cat in real life! The pre-order for the Cats Series 2 Net Shop Exclusive will be open until November, so make sure to place your order soon!

Speaking of new iterations on successful lines, check out this year’s Rilakkuma x J!NS PC line!

J!NS PC 2 - glasses and case

In addition to your glasses, each Rilakkuma x J!NS PC order comes with a beautiful cleaning cloth and case – wow!

J!NS PC 2 - plushes

In addition to glasses, you can also get J!NS PC-themed Rilakkuma plushies! A playset featuring Rilakkuma and pals sleeping with their glasses on for 4,100円, and a plush stand for 2,300円.

J!NS PC 2 - exclusive plush

Of course, they had to shake things up with this adorable exclusive: you can’t directly buy this diligent Rilakkuma working on his Kuma-book late into the night, you must purchase a pair of J!NS PC glasses, and win from a lottery where only something like 11 plushes will be given out, whoa! Wonder if any will pop up on the auctions, this is certainly one of the most exclusive collector’s items!

J!NS PC is an eyewear design that is crafted to block out the blue light from computer and phone screens that can be harmful to your eyes. Most relevant, however, is that their collaboration with Rilakkuma is one of the cutest I have ever seen! All of their Rilakkuma collaboration products, which first came out in 2014, are really adorable and they are a testament to a quality collaboration!

Currently, I have the Rilakkuma plush from the first collaboration release. One day, maybe I will get my own set of J!NS PC glasses too hehehe – right now I’m just admiring their products from afar!

And to keep following Rilakkuma around the world, the next destination is the Netherlands, courtesy of the Sendai Rilakkuma Store’s 3rd Anniversary!

Sendai 3rd Anniversary - cover

Beautiful traditional outfits for team Rilakkuma! 1,580円 each.

What a creative design! Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma are wearing the traditional Dutch folk dress, while Kiiroitori is nestled in a klomp, a wooden clog from the Netherlands (though his is made of cloth!). My favorite part of this design is the tulip motif, as Holland in particular is quite famous for its tulips. Did you know that the Netherlands exports two-thirds of the world’s total fresh cut plants, flowers, and flower bulbs? Flowers and tulips in particular are a very meaningful symbol to Dutch culture and economy.

I’d love to spend some time in the Netherlands one day – so far, I’ve only had a stop-over in the Amsterdam airport, so I’ve never actually stepped foot in the city, but I’d love to travel there one day. Thanks for the inspiration, Rilakkuma!

In personal Rilakkuma anniversary news, as a true American patriot, I placed my order for the American West Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori from the Kichijoji 5th Anniversary recently, so I should be able to share that set with you soon!

The next anniversary location will be at Tokyo Station in February 2016! Where in the world would like to Rilakkuma to go next? He’s been to the North Pole, Italy, the American West, and the Netherlands so far – where to next?

Finally, word on the street is that Rilakkuma and friends will be joined by a new bear friend in March 2016! I’m already quite comfortable with the current crew, so let’s see what happens in March!

Hope everyone’s keeping warm! The temperature here in Florida is rather perfect now :D I’m right in the middle of my outpatient internal medicine rotation, and life is pretty swell! Take care, and stay relaxed like Rilakkuma!

Miniplush Double Feature: JINS PC Rilakkuma and Rilakkuma Factory Plushie!

A special double feature showcasing my first two miniplushies – I usually collect the standard 22 cm plushies, and have been pretty hesitant about miniplushies… but I gotta say, after seeing and holding these two in person, I’m a true miniplush believer now!

First up is the Rilakkuma x JINS PC plushie!

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - full

Great commitment to eye protection, Rilakkuma!

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - glasses detail

Unlike the sunglasses in the Aloha Series, his glasses do not have an elastic band in the back.

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - gadget detail

His new glasses protect him from the light from his electronics! Do you think he’s holding an iPhone or an iPad?

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - tag art

Tag art: I love how the tag art matches his face and fabric tag art, too!

He reminds me a lot of my sister because she has a Rilakkuma iPhone case like he does, and she used to wear glasses too hehehe.

This smart bear was released as part of the Rilakkuma x JINS PC collaboration, which debuted September 2014. This campaign centered around a special kind of eyeglasses that blocks harmful light from electronic devices, preventing eye strain. I honestly don’t know if they have any major benefit to your eyes, but it is a stunningly adorable collaboration regardless.

Next is the Rilakkuma Factory Series plushie! Well, he’s more of a soft and cuddly paperweight rather than a standard collectible plush, but super cute nonetheless!

Rilakkuma Factory Series - full

Ready to work!

Rilakkuma Factory Series - medal detail

His lovely red and blue bowtie also has a special metal Rilakkuma medal!

Rilakkuma Factory Series - tag art

One of my favorite designs, this tag art gives you instructions on “how to use” this plush as a paperweight! And lets you know that he weighs 230 g – wow!

Rilakkuma Factory Series - merchandise

Not only did I get the plush paperweight, but a pencil case and holder for Simon’s art projects, too!

Cute! He’s really dense and heavy, and truly does make a great paperweight hehehe. He’s from the Rilakkuma Factory Series, which was a special line for the professionals and office workers of the Rilakkuma fan community that was released April 2014. As you may recall, Rilakkuma Factory was also the theme of this year’s Rilakkuma x Tower Records collaboration!

I’m super thankful to my aunt for helping me get these plushies! Every time she goes (or hears of one of her friends going) to Japan, she always sees if she can pick up a Rilakkuma plushie or two for me – so thoughtful! My favorite part of collecting Rilakkuma is that everyone helps each other out!

School has been pretty wild on my end as modules are now only 6 weeks long, meaning I am studying for an exam just about every month! But Rilakkuma news keeps on rolling, so let’s do a quick run of what’s new in the Rilakkuma world:

Rilakkuma La Fraise Series (パリのいちご): this sweet, Parisian revisit of the 2010 Bonjour Series is scheduled for release on December 6!

Rilakkuma La Fraise - cover

A beautiful Parisian-themed strawberry series!

Rilakkuma La Fraise - standard

How posh! Standard series: 1,880円 each

Rilakkuma La Fraise - Store Exclusives

These plushies can fit inside their strawberries! Well, except for Kiiroitori… Rilakkuma Store Exclusive Series: 1,780円 each.

Interesting choice of fruit – I thought that since Rilakkuma has had so many strawberry themed series in the past (like in 2009), they would pick another fruit, but hey, I love strawberries and strawbears, so I can’t complain haha.

Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Knit Goods (ニットグッズ): out already this November, this cute combo knit series takes the success of the Winter Heart Series from last year and makes Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi even more bundled up!

Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Knit Goods - standard plushies

I love the color scheme they gave to Rilakkuma! Standard plushies: 1,780円 each.

Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Knit Goods - hanging plushies

They’re in mittens!! Hanging plushies: 1,200円 each.

Wow! Such a cute poncho design! I love these Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi collabs – combining my 2 favorite character series!

Rilakkuloset Winter 2014 (リラックローゼット): the Rilakkuloset Series debuted in 2013, and features furniture outfits that you can purchase for your M and S Classic Rilakkumas! This year, the outfits are more elaborate and were released this November – check it out!

Rilakkuloset 2014 - cover

Wow, look at all of those designs!

Rilakkuloset 2014 - frog raincoat

Ready for a rainy day! Frog raincoats and accessories (boots, umbrella, and teru teru bozu) for S Classics: 1,620円 each.

Rilakkuloset 2014 - pajama set

Sleepy time! Pajama top and pants set and accessories (hat and plush) for M Classics: 2,700円 each

Rilakkuloset 2014 - furniture

Don’t forget to get furniture too! Sofa: 1,500円, Bathtub: 2,500円, Bed: 2,500円.

I regrettably have not been tracking Rilakkuloset very closely, but they have some really fantastic outfits out! The above is just a sample of their Rilakkuloset line from this year, which also features a marine set, fuzzy coat set, and rabbit set!

Christmas 2014: also out now, this year’s Christmas series is super special, with a festive patterned stole for the standard series, and a cute limited edition plush Christmas tree, too!

Christmas 2014 Series - standard

Wow, they brought back the Indifferent Snowperson again! I love the bear-shaped wreath, too! Standard plushies: 1,800円 each.

Christmas 2014 Series - store exclusive tree

And Kiiroitori is the star on top of the tree this year! Rilakkuma Store Exclusive Christmas tree plush: 10,000円.

Really lovely! I always look forward to seeing what the Christmas specials are like!

Lemon Series: sneak peek for the series to be released in March 2015 – Rilakkuma and pals become lemon farmers!

Lemon Series - sneak peek

Wow, great overalls!

Wow! They look great! I love using lemons in my tea and when I cook, so I might pick up one of these! You can pre-order this series now over at Mira Plush.

That’s all for now! Any sets coming out that have piqued your interest?

Space Series Rilakkuma Plushie – Store Exclusive! + New! Halloween 2014, JINS PC, Lawson Cat Series, & Umeda 6th!

Hello, and 好久不見 – long time, no see!

School has really geared up in the past few weeks, so my apologies for the infrequency. But without further ado, check out the Space Rilakkuma Rilakkuma Plushie – Rilakkuma Store Exclusive!

Space Series Store Exclusive - full

Go to the future, Rilakkuma!

Space Series Store Exclusive - pancake detail

One of my favorite details: a stack of pancakes with a star-shaped butter pat on top – mmmm!

Space Series Store Exclusive - dango detail

Ooooh Rilakkuma is also holding a delicious dango with it’s own planetary ring system and star!

Space Series Store Exclusive - space suit

I think they did such a great job with his spacesuit – usually glittery fabric tends to have a coarse texture, but this one (and all the other plushies in this set) have maintained their soft and smooth texture!

Space Series Store Exclusive - space suit detail

More fantastic details: a cute scarf, embroidered Rilakkuma space insignia, and bear-shaped belt buckle!

Space Series Store Exclusive - tag art

Tag art: Rilakkuma promoting space and time travel!

Teehee I really love this bear! I love all the tiny details they put into each plushie in this series, and can’t wait to see all the cool details for what San-X has in store for us next!

This planetary plushie was released in July 2014 as a Rilakkuma Store Exclusive design for the summer Space Series. Since I loved so many of the designs from the Space Series, I limited myself to just the brown bear from this line – I think even then, Bear Nation has a pretty thriving space program!

In seasonal news, be on the lookout for the new Halloween 2014 designs!

Halloween 2014 - plushie set

Rilakkuma and friends off to the masquerade ball! 1,800円 each.

Halloween 2014 - playset

A beautiful playset! My favorite detail is the kuma ghost in the window (and the giant candy doesn’t look too bad, either). 10,000円.

Fantastic! I really love the direction they took with this year’s line – a masquerade party sounds spooky and fun (I’ve never been to one!). These Halloween bears will be released this weekend on September 6.

But wow, aren’t we just starting September? Preparing for Halloween now seems a little pre-emptive to me (though Halloween costume shops are beginning to pop up around my town), but maybe this is a sign that I should start working on a cool costume. Last year, Simon and I went as eggs & bacon! What do you hope to dress up as for Halloween this year?

Rilakkuma looks like he’s going down the mild-mannered route like Superman with the new Rilakkuma x JINS PC collaboration!

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - cover

Rilakkuma falling asleep with his cell phone!

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - designs

Four awesome designs to match Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori, with unique designs on the temples! 4,900円 each

Rilakkuma x JINS PC - plushies

Awesome miniplushies with their own mobile devices, and a tag with a kuma wearing glasses, too! 1,300円 each.

This is such a cool collab! These glasses are specially designed to protect your eyes from the light from your PC and mobile devices, and the color themes are meant to match Rilakkuma and pals – and don’t they just look so smart in those glasses?

Also, check out this fantastic video short by San-X to commemorate this collaboration!

Hehehe this video reminds me a lot of Simon!

Of course, this isn’t the first time Rilakkuma has donned eye protection – the Aloha Rilakkuma series from last year also featured a bespectacled Rilakkuma!

And for you Lawson fans out there, check out this Rilakkuma Cat Series Lawson Exclusive!

Lawson x Rilakkuma Cat Series - Lawson exclusive

Doesn’t kitten Korilakkuma look so sweet in her basket? Oooh a little plush taiyaki too! 2,700円

So cute! Looks like Lawson specials are starting to develop a pattern of their exclusives being in pot-like containers – last year, it was a pie for the Happy Natural Time Series, and this year, it’s a basket! It’s a cute motif, I think.

Pre-orders for this set are now open, but they aren’t scheduled to be delivered until January 19, 2015 (wah). Conveniently, Lawson specials like this are generally available online, so Tenso might be a good resource for international Rilakkuma fans looking for a good price!

For Japanese movie fans, in a pleasantly surprising twist, Rilakkuma/Lawson are also teaming up with film Clover (クローバー)!

Clover - Rilakkuma

Lookin’ stylish in green!

The movie comes out November 1, and if you purchase a ticket in advance, you can get your hands on this lovely keychain plushie! Wow, I would love for American movies to have promotions like this hehehe

Browsing around the official Clover website, looks like the story revolves around a hotel employee who falls in love with her boss, and it is based on a manga series of the same name – not super sure how the movie has to do with Rilakkuma but haha Rilakkuma does look rather cute in green :)

Last but certainly not least, check out these great designs for the Umeda Rilakkuma Store 6th Anniversary!

Umeda 6th Anniversary - plushies

WOW AND YUM! They’re takoyaki themed! I think Rilakkuma’s ear detail is my favorite part! 1,500円 each.

Excellent! Takoyaki (たこ焼き) is a yummy breaded octopus ball served with sauce and bonito shavings that was first invented in Osaka in 1935!

My family went to Osaka last year and had lots of takoyaki – mmmm! As Umeda is the major business district of Osaka, seems fitting to celebrate the oldest Rilakkuma Store’s 6th anniversary with such a tasty part of its history!

These plushies will be released on September 13 (same day as the Bridal Series). Looks like San-X will be continuing with mini-plushies for its anniversary lines – I have yet to get one of these mini-plushies, but I do have good memories of takoyaki from Osaka, so I might just have to jump for these hehehe.

In other news, I spent my last weekend in Seattle, WA presenting my research at the 29th International Human Papillomavirus Conference! Wow, what an incredible city! I even spied a little Rilakkuma in the artwork at Blue C Sushi!

Blue C Sushi - Rilakkuma

I wish my old phone had a better camera, but here he is! He must be a Fansclub Rilakkuma since he’s getting picked up by a crane!

Hehehe, Rilakkuma follows me around even when I’m out of town! I really love Rilakkuma spotting when I travel!