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Japanese character merchandise launches

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-05 16:23 UTC → 2026-08-06 16:38 UTC · added removed

June‑July 2026 saw a wave of character‑themed merchandise across Japanese retailers, from Miffy apparel at Shimamura to Sanrio’s Hello Kitty collections, Pokémon anniversary items, and collaborations such as Inazuma Eleven and Snoopy. The period also included Sanrio’s new game label, lottery, pop‑up stores and eco‑friendly plush lines. In early August 2026 the trend continued. The momentum continued into August. Shimamura’s online shop added three Dragon Quest items – a items—a Demon’s Cauldron dustbox, a Red Treasure Chest storage box and a One‑Mouth Box – priced ¥3,300‑¥4,620 and released on “Hito‑kui‑bako” box—on 5 August. August (¥3,300‑¥4,620). The Pokémon Center launched released four water‑type plush toys that flap fins, featuring Totodile, with moving fins (Totodile, Mantine, Mudkip and a Mudkip, swimming Dratini, available online from Dratini) on 5 August and in stores from 8 August. a special Pikachu plush on 7 August for the Pokémon‑NHK Symphony concert series. Right‑on introduced a SpongeBob SquarePants collection of T‑shirts, tote bags, caps and accessories with Krusty Krab graphics, sold from on 5 August. August, while COSPA announced new Evangelion apparel its EVANGELION:95 autumn‑winter 2026 line on 7 August and accessories slated NERV‑themed apparel for later 2026, and in the year. Japan Post began offering a selling limited‑edition “Puppet Sunsun” line of Puppet Sunsun mascots, bags bags, stationery, holiday candy boxes and stationery from a tree‑shaped sweets box (reservations until 23 August) on 12 August. These releases underscore the ongoing strategy A set of Japanese firms to monetize popular anime, video‑game ghost‑type Pokémon acrylic charms is slated for September, and cartoon IPs through themed consumer goods. the indie game Moonlighter was offered free on Steam from 5–9 August to promote its sequel’s September launch.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-06 16:38 UTC Japanese character merchandise launches
  2. 2026-08-05 16:23 UTC Japanese character merchandise launches
  3. 2026-08-05 00:14 UTC Japanese character merchandise launches
  4. 2026-08-01 00:48 UTC Japanese character merchandise launches
  5. 2026-07-31 06:41 UTC Japanese character merchandise launches

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