A Trip Down Memory Lane with Legendary Purikura
Purikura, print sticker booths where friends gather to capture fun memories with customizable frames, filters, and digital doodles, have been a staple of Japanese youth culture for three decades. This special event meticulously recreates the unique photo styles, graffiti options, designs, and background music of three legendary machines:
-
Hime to Koakuma (姫と小悪魔, 2006): Transporting users back to the mid-Heisei era, this mode faithfully reproduces the characteristic coarse image quality, distinct color tones, and minimal processing of the time. Expect classic frames like being sandwiched by an apple or hamburger, “aura backgrounds” with glitter, and nostalgic stamps featuring popular phrases like “Meccha Nakayoshi” (super good friends). It even includes secret graffiti features and one-tap options to perfectly replicate the look of that era.
-
LADY BY TOKYO (2011): This machine made waves in the industry with its revolutionary “New Ultra Natural” look, achieving a flattering yet natural appearance by enhancing facial contours with shadows rather than distorting features. The mode revives its sophisticated, monochrome interface and background designs, offering a refined, elegant Purikura experience.
-
Melulu (2019): A beloved machine from the early Reiwa era, ‘Melulu’ captivated users with its “pure-mori” (purely enhanced) aesthetic, featuring dewy eyes and soft matte skin, alongside vibrant, colorful backgrounds. Despite its service conclusion in 2024, fans can now relive its charming enhancements, screen designs, stamps, and sticker finishes.
Each session begins with an immersive effect, changing the booth’s lighting and BGM to match the release year of the chosen machine, creating a genuine time-traveling experience. For many, this isn’t just a photo booth; it’s a time capsule, a portal to cherished memories of youth, friendship, and that unique ‘Heisei-gal’ spirit!
Exclusive “Ichigoichie” Collaboration
The event also features a special collaboration with “Ichigoichie” (一期一会), a brand that garnered immense popularity among Heisei-era female students and is currently experiencing a resurgence. This partnership introduces newly drawn stamps and exclusive sticker designs themed around Purikura. The designs incorporate poetic messages about friendship and youth, such as “The moment we pose, look at the camera, and laugh together. This unique youth is packed into this Purikura,” allowing users to create deeply sentimental photos that evoke cherished memories.
Beyond the Booth: Celebrating 30 Years of Purikura Culture
To further commemorate the 30th anniversary, FuRyu has planned several engaging initiatives:
-
Aeon Mall PVs: From December 22, 2025, to January 18, 2026, “Purichou” (Purikura album)-style promotional videos for “DEAR Reiwa & Heisei Our Legendary Purikura” will be displayed on food court visions across 15 Aeon Malls nationwide. These videos showcase a collage of old Purikura photos, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
-
Puri 30th Anniversary Special Site: The dedicated website, “To the beloved Reiwa generation: What will you play with Purikura?” offers the latest information, a “Meccha★Heisei Puri” feature to take Heisei-style Purikura on your smartphone, and a “Mori x 2 Puri Timeline” to flip through a gal’s “Purichou” and revisit Purikura history. It’s packed with nostalgic “Puri-aruaru” (common Purikura experiences) from the Heisei era, inviting users to immerse themselves in a time-traveling experience.
The official 30th Anniversary Website is available at: https://www.puri30th.furyu.jp/
-
Puri 30th Anniversary Movie “Purikura® Saw It!”: This commemorative movie traces the 30-year journey of Purikura, from the birth of “Print Club®” (Sega/ATLUS) in 1995 to 2025. It illustrates the evolution and history of Purikura through original songs, highlighting era-specific trends like “pager 14106 I love you” and “getting false eyelashes as a Purikura bonus.”
-
“Uchira no Puri-ten” (Our Purikura Exhibition): An interactive exhibition celebrating the past, present, and future of Purikura is scheduled to be held in Shibuya, Tokyo, in March 2026. Further details will be announced on the special website.
Bridging Generations Through Nostalgia
This 30th-anniversary celebration is more than just a nostalgic trip; it’s an opportunity to connect generations. The Heisei generation can revisit their youth, while the Reiwa generation can discover the unique charm of past trends, finding new ways to enjoy this enduring form of entertainment. Purikura has consistently evolved with the times, capturing the fleeting moments of youth and friendship. By bringing back these legendary machines and collaborating with beloved brands, FuRyu reaffirms Purikura’s role as an accessible entertainment space that continues to be a part of young people’s lives.
This blend of past and present ensures that Purikura remains a vibrant part of Kawaii culture, both domestically and potentially abroad, by offering unique, shareable experiences that transcend time. The future of Kawaii culture will undoubtedly continue to embrace such creative fusions, keeping traditions alive while constantly innovating.
