Tag Archives: rilakkuma

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円, 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!

Fansclub Strawberry Rilakkuma Plushies! + JAXA collab, Funny Parts Series, and more!

What better way to celebrate strawberry season than with these awesome Fansclub Strawberry Rilakkuma Plushies!

Fansclub Strawberry Series Part 2 - full

A handsome pair of strawbears

Fansclubs Strawberry Series Part 2 - strawberry crown

A beautiful crown of strawberries and strawberry blossoms for this Rilakkuma!

Fansclub Strawberry Series Part 2 - strawberry hood

And a snug strawberry hood for this bear!

Fansclub Strawberry Series Part 2 - tag art

Tag art featuring Korilakkuma picking up a huge heart-shaped strawberry!

Lovely! And what a dynamic duo! I like to think they became best friends over their mutual interest in strawberry headgear hehehe.

These blissful strawbears were released as part of the “Strawberry Series Part2” by Fansclub in March 2010.

Gigantic thank you to reader Trinie for this seasonally perfect pair of bears! What a splendid set, and they’re joining a strong and diverse community of strawberry bears!

Lots of cool Rilakkuma things to look forward to: check out the JAXA Rilakkuma plushie!

JAXA Rilakkuma - ad

Great jumpsuit!

I missed posting about this guy because I got swept up in the Dr. Yellow line, wow, isn’t he fly? Like the Dr. Yellow series, this cute JAXA worker comes out on July 19, and costs 2,484円.

As Ariel mentioned in her post, JAXA stands for “Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency” and they’re responsible for satellite launches, asteroid exploration and much more! With the Space Series coming out this month, this collaboration fits perfectly!

I actually live really close to the Kennedy Space Center – maybe I need to take my astronaut Rilakkumas for a visit hehehe.

In case you’re still craving more Rilakkuma news, San-X will also be releasing a new line of Rilakkuma merchandise for the Rilakkuma Funny Parts Series!

Funny Parts Series - 1

Wahaha I really like these phone cases, might be something I’d like to invest in (1,200円)

Funny Parts Series - 2

Now you can pretend to be Rilakkuma with the excuse that it’s just a pouch or a towel hahaha

Great concept!

Looks like this theme features our favorite parts from our favorite bears – look forward to this release in August 2014!

I think the Rilakkuma mug is really clever, though I guess you have to hold the mug up to your nose for it to really look like you have a Rilakkuma snout haha.

And for those interested, I’ve finished the first part of my collection page!

Bear Nation - June 2014

Always growing!

Just the San-X and Lawson ones are done right now, but I hope to finish the rest of the plushies over the next week or so.

One my webpage, my running collection will be recorded on the top menu bar (“Collection”), and provides information about series and release date, as well as their original posts on my blog and San-X page. Hope y’all enjoy it!

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

Children’s Day Rilakkuma Plushie! + Kobe Rilakkuma Store Exclusive News!

For this fine summer’s day, check out Children’s Day Rilakkuma!

Children's Day Rilakkuma - full

Happy belated Children’s Day!

Children's Day Rilakkuma - koinobori

A beautiful blue koinobori! Koinobori (鯉幟) are the carp wind socks symbolic of Children’s Day, and are flown because carps are spirited fish full of energy and power (like kids!) that by legend, will stream upstream to become dragons – how inspiring!

cday-3

Rilakkuma’s wearing a handsome Kabuto (兜), a traditional Japanese military helmet that symbolizes strength and health!

Children's Day Rilakkuma - tag art

Tag art of the Rilakkuma team all together!

Hooray! This happy Rilakkuma was released by Fansclub back in April 2005 – wow, that was when Rilakkuma was barely 2 years old! Very fitting in a way, as San-X celebrates one of its most successful “children” hehehe.

Children’s Day was back on May 5th (the fifth day of the fifth month), and it’s a Japanese national holiday meant to celebrate children! It used to be just for boys, but it’s since been expanded to include girls too (yay)!

Of course, since Children’s Day comes every year, this isn’t the only Children’s Day Rilakkuma (though it’s my first!) – just last year, Fansclub released another Children’s Day edition Rilakkuma plushie set – adorable!

What a beautiful Rilakkuma! Thank you Trinie for sharing this fabulous Rilakkuma with me, and for allowing me to share not only this plushie, but all of the history and tradition that come with him!

In other happy summer news, check out this new Kobe Rilakkuma Store exclusive plushie!

Kobe Rilakkuma - full

As an American, this color scheme and pattern seem very patriotic hahaha

Cute that they’re giving the new Kobe store their moment in the spotlight! As you may recall, the Kobe Rilakkuma Store officially opened back in April, so it’s great to see another follow-up plushie – a Rilakkuma and “Kobe Kobear” haha – that celebrates the port city history of Kobe!

I really love the sailor theme, and it’s great that they used a similar pattern as the old Marine Series from 2012! The Marine Series has a special place in my heart because not only was it the series that was out when I first started entering the Rilakkuma fray two summers ago, but it was also my brother’s first Rilakkuma set and our family’s first Kobear!

So I definitely appreciate this Rilakkuma stylistic throwback to 2012, when I first started collecting! Which was the first Rilakkuma series to catch your eye?

Marunouchi Rilakkuma Plushie!

It’s been just about a year since I first visited  Japan, and I miss seeing Rilakkuma at every corner!

To commemorate, take a look at this Marunouchi Rilakkuma!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - full

What a dapper bear!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - camera detail

Equipped with a fancy camera, and ready to shoot!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - shirt detail

Shirt design behind the camera – see the resemblance to the Marunouchi gate at Tokyo Station?

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - back detail

And a lovely shoutout to the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store at the back of the shirt!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - tag art

Tag art with the same design as the t-shirt!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - with Yamanote Fan

Rilakkuma camera fans! Featuring Yamanote Fan Rilakkuma :3

Picture perfect!

This Rilakkuma was released as a part of the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store’s 5th anniversary celebration this past February! Such an adorable nod to the local sights and history of Tokyo Station – and so perfect and meaningful for this Rilakkuma Store’s 5th anniversary!

This plushie has a beautiful depiction of the Marunouchi gate of Tokyo Station, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store! Ariel from Rilakkuma Desu has a great photo of her Marunouchi Rilakkuma in front of the gate – super cute, be sure to check it out!

Tokyo’s commercial and financial district, Marunouchi (丸の内) means “inside the circle”, which refers to its location inside the outer moat of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. A very logical name, I think.

In other news, I’m gonna start working on making a comprehensive collection page for the Rilakkuma plushies I’ve had the honor of featuring on this blog! I’m gonna spend some time really thinking about how I want to organize them all, but welcome to suggestions, too! I was thinking about ordering them by release date, but it’s still up in the air.

Also!

Happy father’s day to all the fathers out there! <3

My dad has been super supportive of my Rilakkuma collection, and I’m so thankful! I am super happy to know that he wears his Rilakkuma shorts with pride :D Collecting Rilakkuma is so fun with the support of your family!

Now that it’s summer break, I’m definitely enjoying spending more time with my family (and my Rilakkuma family)!

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!

福 (Good Fortune & Happiness) Rilakkuma Plushie! & A Rilakkuma Pineapple Suit!

Everyone needs a little good luck in their lives, so here’s 福 (Fú) Rilakkuma!

Fu Rilakkuma - full

You’ve got to ask yourself one question: “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk?

Fu Rilakkuma - fan detail

福 means good fortune and happiness!

Fu Rilakkuma - tag art

A pair of lucky bears on the tag!

This lucky bear was such a huge help during my finals week! I really needed all the good luck for my exams haha. I really love his pose and composition – so harmonious and balanced!

He was released as part of a whole line of auspicious plushies in the Fansclub 福 (fú) series in November 2012!

In my family’s tradition, we turn the 福 display upside-down throughout the year because the character for “upside-down”, “倒” (dao), is a homonym of the character for “to arrive”, “到” (dao) – so basically it means that “good fortune is arriving”!

Fu Rilakkuma - display

Fu Rilakkuma by the display in front of my parents’ house!

Can’t properly put this bear upside-down haha but he’s such a great and colorful addition to the collection!!

Huge thanks to reader Trinie for this super prosperous bear! He’s such a lovely addition, and I’m so overjoyed that he will be bringing our household good luck and prosperity for years to come!

In other news, Simon took up a different venture in Rilakkuma art, and constructed this Rilakkuma pineapple suit!

Pineapple Suit BD Bear - with Kuma-san

My sister and I’s first Rilakkumas!

As you may recall, this year marks my first Rilakkuma plushie’s 2nd birthday! To commemorate the bear nation’s 2nd year in existence, Simon decided to honor its oldest member with a pineapple costume haha.

Looks like a pretty regal pineapple – especially with the green leaves looking like a crown! As the oldest Rilakkuma plushie in the collection, this bear is kind of the de facto leader so the theme is rather fitting, I think!