Some iconic characters from Sanrio are joining one of the most popular plush brands in the world.
Kellytoy — a subsidiary of Jazwares — is unleashing a whole ‘lotta Kawaii cuteness with Squishmallows versions of Hello Kitty, Tuxedosam, Pompompurin, My Melody, Badtz-Maru, Chococat, and Keroppi.
Like all Squishmallows, the plush toys are made of soft and squishy spandex “EF” and polyester stuffing that makes each character as puffy as a marshmallow. The Sanrio characters will be available in various styles, such as Hello Kitty dressed as a flower, a mermaid, or a pineapple, and Pompompurin dressed as a burger or a sundae. They will be available in 5-inch, 7-inch, 8-inch, 12-inch, and 20-inch versions.
If your Hello Kitty knowledge doesn’t go far beyond the pretty kitty gurlie herself, here’s a quick Sanrio 101: Tuxedosam is a clumsy penguin fellow who loves to eat and owns 365 bow ties; Pompompurin is a dog who wears a brown beret and loves collecting and hiding shoes; My Melody is Hello Kitty’s best bunny friend who wears a red or pink hood that covers her ears and loves almond pound cake; Badtz-Maru is a spiky-haired penguin with attitude who likes expensive sushi; Chococat is a scatter-brained black cat who is always up-to-date on the latest news, thanks to his ultrasensitive “antenna” whiskers; and Keroppi is a big-eyed frog who lives in Donut Pond and loves playing games.
The super-cute Sanrio collection is available now at Claire’s and will launch at other stores starting in May, including sanrio.com, Hallmark, Hot Topic, Learning Express, Five Below, Costco, and other select specialty stores. The new additions are joining more than 800 characters in the Squishmallow family, including a recent menu of food-themed squishies, deep-sea creatures, and tie-dye dinosaurs.
