Boost Your “Oshikatsu” with Sanrio Character Juices!
Japan’s beloved Fruit Juice Bar Karin is once again joining forces with the iconic Sanrio Character Grand Prix for an exciting collaboration that allows fans to literally drink to their favorites. From April 9th to May 24th, 2026, all 191 Karin juice bar locations nationwide will offer a special lineup of character-themed fruit juices, accompanied by exclusive merchandise and a direct way to cast your vote in the annual popularity contest.
The Sanrio Character Grand Prix is an annual popularity poll where fans worldwide vote for their favorite among 90 nominated characters. In 2025, the event garnered over 63.16 million votes, showcasing its immense global appeal. This year’s theme, “Cheering for everyone doing their best! Smiling Ovation!,” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of excitement and support that fans bring to the competition. This marks the fifth consecutive year of collaboration between Sanrio and Karin, a partnership that has become a cherished part of “Oshikatsu” (推し活), or fandom activities, for many enthusiasts.
Nine Delightful Character-Inspired Juices
This year’s collaboration features nine unique fruit juices, each inspired by a top-ranking character from the 2025 Sanrio Character Grand Prix. Fans can enjoy refreshing beverages themed after Pompurin, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, Kuromi, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Hangyodon, and Tuxedosam. Each juice is served in a specially designed cup featuring vibrant character visuals from the “Smiling Ovation!” theme.
To ensure wide availability, each Karin store will offer three specific collaboration juices. With every purchase of a collaboration juice (550 JPY excluding tax, M size only), customers will receive a voting card with a QR code, allowing them to cast one vote for their chosen character in the 2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix. This direct link between enjoying a delicious drink and supporting a favorite character makes the experience even more engaging.
Here’s a breakdown of the juice offerings by store pattern:
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Pattern A Stores:
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Pompurin’s Pineapple (Pompurin no Ohirune Pineapple)
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My Melody’s Strawberry Milk (My Melody no Meromero Ichigo Milk)
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Tuxedosam’s Mango (Tuxedosam no Gokugoku Mango)
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Pattern B Stores:
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Cinnamoroll’s Fluffy Banana Milk (Cinnamoroll no Fuwafuwa Banana Milk)
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Hello Kitty’s Friendly Apple Smoothie (Hello Kitty no Nakayoshi Ringo Smoothie)
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Hangyodon’s Cheerful Lemon Soda (Hangyodon no Nikoniko Lemon Soda)
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Pattern C Stores:
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Pochacco’s Joyful Mango & Pineapple (Pochacco no Runrun Mango & Pineapple)
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Kuromi’s Tsundere Blueberry Milk (Kuromi no Tsundere Blueberry Milk)
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Little Twin Stars’ Dreamy Berry Mix (Little Twin Stars no Yumemiru Berry Mix)
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These limited-edition juices are priced at 590 JPY (including tax for takeout) or 649 JPY (including tax for eat-in) and will be available until May 24th, 2026, or while supplies last. For specific store offerings, please check the official Karin website: https://k-karin.jp/
Collectible Limited Edition Coasters
Beyond the delicious drinks and voting opportunities, fans will also receive one of ten exclusive limited-edition coasters with each collaboration juice purchase. These special 2026 designs feature the nine collaboration characters along with an exciting secret character. The random distribution adds an element of surprise and encourages collectors to try for a complete set. The thrill of unwrapping to discover which character you’ve received is a core part of the “Oshikatsu” fun!
Sanrio fans, this is your moment to shine! Your vote, fueled by a delicious fruit juice, contributes directly to your favorite character’s success.
The Grand Prix Schedule
The 2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix voting period runs from April 9th to May 24th. Initial results will be announced on April 14th, with an interim announcement on May 12th. The grand finale, revealing the top 90 characters, will take place on June 28th at “Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minatomirai.” Stay updated on all the details via the official Sanrio Character Grand Prix website: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp
This vibrant collaboration between Karin and the Sanrio Character Grand Prix continues to deepen the connection between fans and their beloved characters, offering a tangible way to participate in Japan’s unique Kawaii culture. It’s a delightful fusion of taste and fandom that surely will bring smiles to faces worldwide, potentially sparking new interest in these adorable characters and their vibrant universe.
