Sanrio's Hello Kitty gets a horror manga makeover with Junji Ito artwork & merch

[Enter Stage Rite]

Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and friends have decided to take a walk into the dark imagination of horror manga extraordinaire Junji Ito, creating a mashup that’s equal parts adorable and eerie.

 

The merchandise line features two main themes. First up is Gal Tomie, which gives Ito's infamous, manipulative beauty queen of horror Tomie Kawakami a gyaru-inspired makeover.

 

 

 

 

The second theme, The Floating Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads, draws inspiration from Ito’s Lovesickness series.

 

 

 

 

 

A series of holographic stickers depicting characters from both extremes has also emerged from this tie-in.

 

 

Fans eager to get their hands on these cutesy yet macabre items will need to plan a trip to Japan. The collection will be available exclusively at Parco-branded retail stores, with a limited run in Tokyo from August 23 to September 9, 2024, followed by an Osaka release from September 27 to October 14, 2024. The lineup includes a variety of goodies such as acrylic stands, t-shirts, and original artwork.

 

Junji Ito himself expressed surprise at being chosen for this collaboration, given his reputation for creating unsettling stories. However, he revealed a personal connection to Sanrio through his family’s love for the franchise, himself gaining a new appreciation for the design brilliance behind Sanrio’s iconic characters.

 

• https://www.siliconera.com/junji-ito-sanrio-merchandise-pairs-tomie-with-hello-kitty/ 
• https://www.cbr.com/sanrio-hello-kitty-junji-ito-new-horror-release/ 
• https://www.yokogaomag.com/editorial/junji-ito-hello-kitty-collab 

 

Images: YTE