Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club Unveils Second Wave of Ishikawa Traditional Craft Collaborations

Anime Idols Meet Ancient Artistry: Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club Drops New Ishikawa Craft Collection

Exclusive Kutani Ware plates and Kaga Temari straps celebrate regional beauty and virtual stardom.

DMM Local Revitalization, in collaboration with the beloved virtual school idol group Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club, has announced the highly anticipated second series of collaborative merchandise. This initiative, set in Ishikawa Prefecture—the very stage for the idols—aims to shine a spotlight on the region’s esteemed traditional crafts: Kutani Ware ceramics and Kaga Temari handballs. Following the success of the first collaboration, this new collection continues to weave together contemporary pop culture with centuries-old artistry, inviting fans to discover Ishikawa’s unique charm.

The partnership seeks to inspire visits to Ishikawa Prefecture and foster a deeper appreciation for its traditional crafts, thereby contributing to the local economy. The previous “Traditional Craft Collaboration,” which featured the 102nd to 104th generation students and focused on crafts primarily from Kanazawa, received widespread acclaim. This new range builds upon that momentum, offering fresh designs that honor Ishikawa’s cultural legacy.

Exquisite Kutani Ware Small Plates: A Canvas for Idol Charm

Kutani Ware, recognized as a traditional Japanese craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and an Intangible Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture, is renowned for its vibrant hues, thick, lustrous enamels, and transparent glazes. Each piece tells a story through its distinctive colors and delicate brushstrokes, often featuring intricate designs that captivate the eye.

For this collaboration, nine unique Kutani Ware small plates have been crafted, each dedicated to a member of the Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club. The plates are unified by the traditional “Iidaya” style, characterized by its meticulous red detailing. Surrounding each idol’s depiction are intricate patterns adorned with their individual icons, making these truly special collector’s items.

These limited-edition small plates, measuring 10.5 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height, are priced at 2,280 yen (tax included). They are produced by Seikou Kiln, a respected name in Kutani Ware. For more information on the kiln, please visit http://www.seikou.co.jp/.

Sales for the Kutani Ware small plates will commence on Friday, November 28, 2025, exclusively at Gamers Kanazawa. Purchases are limited to one of each member’s plate per person, up to a total of nine plates. Please note that no advance reservations will be accepted.

Kotemari Straps: Hand-Stitched Wishes of Happiness

Kaga Temari, a traditional craft passed down through generations in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, embodies a delicate artistry. Vivid silk threads are meticulously stitched, stitch by stitch, to form intricate floral and geometric patterns. Originally children’s playthings, these hand-stitched balls evolved into cherished decorative items and gifts, revered in Kanazawa as “lucky charms that wish for happiness.”

This collaboration features three distinct Kotemari straps, each designed around a unit from the Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club. Traditional motifs such as the twisted diamond for “Cerise Bouquet,” pine needles for “DOLLCHESTRA,” and double chrysanthemum for “Mirakle Park!” are skillfully incorporated, finished in each unit’s signature colors. Each small Kaga Temari is adorned with a bell, combining cuteness with auspicious symbolism. These handmade straps are truly unique.

Each Kotemari strap, crafted from silk thread, styrofoam, polyester, and a bell, measures approximately 12 cm in total length (temari part: 2.3 cm in diameter) and is priced at 4,400 yen (tax included). These items are created with the cooperation of Kaga Temari Mariya. Learn more about their craft at https://kagatemari.com/.

Sales for the Kotemari straps will be conducted via a web lottery, starting on Friday, November 28, 2025. The reservation period runs from 12:00 PM on November 28, 2025, to 11:59 PM on December 21, 2025. Winners will be announced in December 2025 and can pick up their items at Gamers Kanazawa. Only 50 units of each of the three designs (150 in total) are planned, and due to the handmade nature, collection is anticipated from March 2026 onwards. Fans are encouraged to check the Gamers WEB order/lottery sales page and Gamers Kanazawa’s X (formerly Twitter) for detailed information:

• Gamers WEB Order/Lottery Sales Page

• Gamers Kanazawa X

Both the Kutani Ware small plates and Kotemari straps must be purchased and picked up at Gamers Kanazawa, located on the 5th floor of Kanazawa Forus, 3-1 Horikawa Shinmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The store operates from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For store details, visit https://www.gamers.co.jp/shop/detail.php?id=22.

About Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club

Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club is a virtual school idol group that launched on May 20, 2023, primarily through the smartphone app “Link! Like! Love Live!”. The project encompasses video streaming, magazine features, music CD releases, and live events, all unfolding in real-time with the members’ high school lives, from enrollment to graduation. Set against the scenic backdrop of Kanazawa’s private Hasu no Sora Jogakuin, the idols embody the spirit of youth and dreams. A new 3D animated film, “Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club Bloom Garden Party,” is slated for release in theaters nationwide in spring 2026.

This collaboration exemplifies DMM Local Revitalization’s mission to create sustainable businesses that contribute to local communities. By leveraging DMM’s extensive expertise and networks, they provide tailored business solutions to regional challenges, fostering innovation and economic growth. More information can be found on the DMM Local Revitalization website: https://sousei.dmm.com/.

Bridging Worlds: Kawaii Culture and Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship

This exciting second collaboration between Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club and Ishikawa’s traditional crafts is a vibrant testament to the power of merging modern “kawaii” (cute) culture with Japan’s rich artistic heritage. By presenting traditional crafts like Kutani Ware and Kaga Temari through the lens of popular anime, these initiatives not only introduce these exquisite items to a new, global audience but also encourage fans to experience the crafts firsthand in Ishikawa. This innovative approach ensures that ancient techniques and stories find new life, creating a sustainable future for local artisans and deepening cultural exchange worldwide. It’s a beautiful example of how virtual idols can become real-world ambassadors, fostering appreciation for Japan’s diverse cultural landscape.