Arab News Japan

Japanese award-winning horror manga artist Junji Ito is collaborating with Sanrio for a limited pop-up store that pairs the artist’s notable manga ‘Tomie’ with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty in a special merchandise collection. 

Considered one of the most iconic horror manga artists of all time, Ito released his first manga, ‘Tomie’ in 1987, which gained him worldwide recognition.

His other notable manga series include, but are not limited to, ‘Gyo’ and ‘Uzumaki’, with the latter receiving an anime adaptation that will debut soon on Adult Swim.   

Sanrio, the Japanese entertainment company behind Hello Kitty, has released various collaborations throughout the year to celebrate the character’s 50th anniversary.  

【伊藤潤二×サンリオキャラクターズ】
伊藤先生が手掛ける富江達とサンリオキャラクターズが奇跡のタッグで新たな世界観を生み出します！
さらにコラボグッズを販売する期間限定ショップが渋谷・心斎橋に登場☆彡
▼特設サイトはこちら▲https://t.co/NK1AQWF6Kc#伊藤潤二マニアック #JunjiItoManiac pic.twitter.com/Hf8HWO1l6c

— 伊藤潤二『マニアック』公式/Junji Ito Maniac/Netflix全世界配信中!! (@itojunji_anime) July 7, 2024

The special collaboration features an illustration of Tomie holding a Hello Kitty keychain and wearing Hello Kitty’s bow, drawn in Ito’s signature black-and-white art style with a touch of red to resemble Hello Kitty. 

Additionally, Pretty Intersection Boy, the main antagonist in Ito’s manga ‘Lovesickness Dead’, is featured in the collection, alongside with Saniro’s characters  Cinnamonroll and Lloromannic.

The merchandise will feature t-shirts, posters, keychains, stickers, and tote bags, with prices ranging from ¥440 to ¥22,000. The pop-up will be available from 23 Aug. to 9 Sept. in Tokyo and from 27 Sept. to 14 Oct. in Osaka.