Kawaii Japan Characters: Beginner Guide

Prepare for a charming fusion of virtual pop sensation Hatsune Miku and Japan's beloved Tirol Choco. This limited-time 'Tirol Miku Fair' promises exclusive, melt-in-your-mouth treats and adorable merchandise, inviting fans into a truly sweet world.

Heart Co., Ltd. unveils enchanting new chocolate and merchandise lines featuring Cardcaptor Sakura, C.C. Cats, and Okashiba, bringing a touch of 'kawaii' magic to the gifting season.

Piccoma is kicking off its 'Anime Reinforcement Month' with special free chapter campaigns for popular winter anime series. Get ready to binge-read top titles like 'Golden Kamuy' and 'Hanazakari no Kimitachi e' and more, making it easier than ever to explore these captivating stories.

Japan's popular light novel *Grimm Connect* has made a significant splash in the audio world, with its first-ever ASMR voice drama quickly reaching the #1 spot on DLsite. Featuring a double cast including Miyu Tomita and Fuka Izumi, the drama offers listeners an immersive, healing experience set in the world of 'Little Red Riding Hood'.

As the highly anticipated second season of the TV anime "Jigokuraku" approaches its broadcast, the mobile and PC game "Jigokuraku Paradise Battle" is rolling out a series of lavish campaigns. Players can look forward to exclusive login bonuses, new character cards, a special New Year's event with original stories, and even a unique message from the anime's lead voice actors, bringing fans deeper into the perilous yet captivating world of "Jigokuraku."

Series Director Hiroaki Miyamoto shares exclusive details on the evolving narrative, character designs, and intense team battles of the highly anticipated “Tactics Arc,” promising a thrilling new chapter for fans.

Experience a thrilling tale of second chances as Piccoma launches 'The Strongest Special Soldier -Restarting from High School-,' a SMARTOON where a fallen elite soldier rewrites his past to alter a catastrophic future, starting January 4, 2026.

JOYFIT24 launches "JOY MACHINES," a new series of AI characters designed to transform the fitness experience through personalized guidance and motivation. This initiative marks the second phase of their industry innovation project, aiming to make training more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

The second collection of 'MINITEEN OFFICIAL LICENSE MERCH,' featuring SEVENTEEN's beloved characters, is now available for pre-sale on HMV&BOOKS ONLINE. Fans can explore a new lineup of charming items designed by the members, offering fresh ways to celebrate their unique personalities and the vibrant MINITEEN world.

System Service announces the release of charming 'Labyrinth Shiori' character plushies as exclusive amusement prizes, bringing the beloved film's magic into arcades nationwide starting January 2026.

Celebrating a decade of content creation, the popular YouTube channel "Puchi Hina Friends" announces a special collaboration with Village Vanguard. Fans can look forward to exclusive merchandise featuring brand-new illustrations by Natori Nato, depicting the characters as unique Village Vanguard staff members. A special lottery offers signed POPs for those who spend over 5,500 yen.

Fans of K-Pop sensation SEVENTEEN can rejoice as their beloved 'MINITEEN' characters launch official merchandise pop-up stores at Daimaru Tokyo and Daimaru Umeda, offering exclusive items designed by the members themselves.

Nijisanji is set to launch its 'Happy New Year Voice,' 'Ouen Voice' (Support Voice), and exclusive 'Voice Visual Cards' starting January 9, 2026. Fans can enjoy festive greetings and uplifting messages from a wide array of Nijisanji and NIJISANJI EN VTubers, with special wallpapers included in voice pack purchases. The limited-time sale runs until January 31, 2026, offering unique digital content and physical collectibles to kick off the new year.

Popular open-world RPG Genshin Impact partners with confectionery giant Meiji for a special winter campaign at Lawson, offering exclusive merchandise, themed snacks, and in-game rewards from January 20, 2026.

HoYoverse invites Travelers to a grand celebration for the "Luna IV" release of Genshin Impact, featuring unique exhibitions, exclusive merchandise, and interactive experiences in Tokyo, Chiba, and Aichi.

The beloved "Number One Sentai Gojūger" series is set to unleash its climactic 4th stage show, "This is the Final Battle! Final Number One Battle! Ready, Go!", at Tokyo Dome City's Theater G-Rosso. Prepare for an electrifying original story, featuring the highly anticipated debut of Mashiro Kumade and the fierce return of Fire Candle. Don't miss this ultimate showdown and a special character song live concert!

Bushiroad's new cross-media project "ZERO RISE" has launched its TV commercial and a social media campaign, building excitement for its full reveal at the Bushiroad New Year Grand Presentation 2026.

Get ready for a roller-coaster of emotions in "Himitsu no AiPri" Episode 90, "Mitsuki-chan ga Ippai," as a crucial promotional video project faces unexpected challenges, testing Himari's determination and Mitsuki's health.

Prepare for an unforgettable journey as "Genshin Teyvat Tour -Garden of Air and Prayer of Moon-" arrives at Tokyo Tower's Co・Lab-TOKYO- from January 16 to February 4, 2026. This limited-time event promises exclusive merchandise, in-game rewards, and immersive installations, inviting fans to experience the world of Teyvat like never before.

Smilegate Megaport and SUPER CREATIVE have announced the arrival of a new Moonlight Hero, "Dark Corvus Diene," in the popular mobile RPG Epic Seven, alongside a festive New Year event.

VTuber group "Parast!" is set to release a special collection of New Year's 2026 merchandise and voice packs, inviting fans to celebrate the start of a new year with their favorite virtual idols. This limited-time offering, available from January 1 to January 18, 2026, features exclusive illustrations inspired by a lively Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) and intimate audio experiences simulating an unforgettable New Year's date.

Two beloved Japanese short anime series, 'Teikou Penguin' and 'Joshi-ryoku Takame na Shishihara-kun,' are joining forces for a special collaboration featuring exclusive videos and an exciting in-game event in 'Teipen Wars,' promising a fresh blend of humor and charm for fans worldwide.

Comedy legend Akashiya Sanma and actor Takuya Kimura join forces with custom Daruma brand Kaisha Daruma to create unique dolls, delivering hope and smiles to the Noto Peninsula.

Nexon-supervised mobile RPG `MapleStory R: Evolution` welcomes the swift hero Phantom to its profession cards and kicks off the epic "Kingdom's Fall" season. Players can also seize the last chance to grab exclusive items from the adorable "Bugcat Capoo" collaboration event.

Poppin Games Japan celebrates 2026 with fan-favorite characters in traditional Japanese attire, alongside special login bonuses and a rerun of the popular June Bride collection in "The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You: Bibin!! Puzzle."

Design COCO announces its 'New Year's Warehouse Sale' on the COCO Store EC site, offering 12 limited-quantity scale figures, including popular characters like Hatsune Miku and Satoru Gojo, for those who missed initial pre-orders.

Colopl's popular 3D action RPG "White Cat Project NEW WORLD'S" launches limited-edition "Happy Bags" at Don Quijote stores nationwide, featuring beloved characters and a chance to win unique metal posters. Simultaneously, exciting in-game New Year's events await players, blending offline merchandise joy with online adventure.

Starting January 1, 2026, fans can dive deeper into the hilarious world of Tom and Jerry with exclusive "Funny Art! 5" random bromides, available at Seven-Eleven multi-copy machines across Japan. These collectible prints commemorate the popular Happy Lottery series, offering a fresh way to celebrate the iconic duo's most comical moments.

The popular mobile game "Magical Girl Madoka Magica Magia Exedra" kicks off its "New Year Festival -2026-" with a massive 3,000 Magica Stone giveaway, daily free gacha pulls, and the debut of the exclusive ★5 Memory "Kimono Madoka" along with a new story event and special deals.