Hankyu Rilakkuma Plushies! + End of August Update!

Hope you’ve been having a wonderful summer! Say hello to these two Hankyu Rilakkumas!

Two Hankyu stationmasters, ready to work!

Cute stationmaster hats feature a Rilakkuma emblem!

The July stationmaster’s hat is black with a maroon and gold band

Cross-body bags for each!

ID badge says 駅長リラックマ (Stationmaster Rilakkuma)

The back of their outfits say “Rilakkuma x Hankyu”, and you can notice that the straps of their bags are different colors, too!

Tag art: features the front of the Hankyu line with Rilakkuma and friends, and the July stationmaster’s tag has an additional maroon border.

I love the color scheme of this line, and these bears hold a special place in my heart because I rode the Hankyu line with my family in 2013, and actually visited the Umeda Rilakkuma store while I was there! I’m so fortunate to now have these two Hankyu Rilakkuma stationmasters!

These two train kuma-ductors were released as part of the Hankyu x Rilakkuma (阪急電車× リラックマ) collaboration this year, with different colors for the April release (maroon) and the July release (black).

I really really love the transportation Rilakkumas, and I think they represent my most complete Rilakkuma collection. Hayabusa and Komachi Rilakkuma train plushes are already on their way over from Japan, and should be joining this collection next week!

New Hankyu bears joining the rest of the transportation team (Yamanote, Dr. Yellow, and Shinkansen) in bear country!

And of course, since summer is beginning to wind down, San-X is pummeling us with new releases to make our bank accounts weep. Check out what’s new!

Two Rilakkuma Stores are celebrating anniversaries in September, and the first one is the Sapporo Rilakkuma Store’s 4th Anniversary!

All bundled up! Is Kobear supposed to be a yeti, arctic wolf, or what? 1580円 each.

Sapporo’s anniversary event will also feature a special appearance from this North Pole Rilakkuma – awesome! The polar bear plush looks just like the Kobe Rilakkuma Store Opening playset polar bear!

This year’s anniversary theme for Sapporo is North Pole, which is very fitting because Sapporo certainly has a reputation for being one of the coldest locations in Japan! These chilly Rilakkuma plushes will be released as part of the Sapporo Rilakkuma Store’s anniversary event on September 5!

Next up is the Umeda Rilakkuma Store’s 7th Anniversary!

Korilakkuma is cruising on a gondola with a lovely hat that has its own ears haha, Rilakkuma’s making pizza, and Kiiroitori is indulging in pizza and gelato at the same time! 1580円 each.

This talented Rilakkuma pizza maker will be showing off his mozzarella basil pizza during the Umeda anniversary event – yum!

As the first Rilakkuma Store, the Umeda Rilakkuma holds a special place in Rilakkuma history. This year, the theme for their anniversary is Italy, and Rilakkuma and pals are celebrating by making some pizza! I’m not sure if Umeda has a connection to pizza that made them choose this theme, so if anyone know, I would love to hear!

I think this design is super cute, and as a lifelong pizza fan, I will most likely be getting the Rilakkuma from this series. Umeda’s 7th anniversary event will be held on the September 11.

Finally, since this is the 7th anniversary of Rilakkuma Stores in general, starting this September, all of the Rilakkuma Stores in Japan are featuring this super adorable Rilakkuma passport event called the Rilakkuma World Tour!

Passport/stamp book design featuring Airplane Rilakkuma! Sample stamps from Sapporo and Umeda, too!

Starting September 5, you can get a Rilakkuma passport if you make a purchase over 2000 yen, and then collect stamps at the 11 Rilakkuma Stores you visit during their anniversaries. As you got a peek of in the Sapporo (North Pole) and Umeda (Italy) anniversary designs, each anniversary design represents a different part of the world, so you can feel like you’re touring the world while you go from Rilakkuma Store to Rilakkuma Store – wow! What a wonderfully creative idea, and totally something I would love to do if I were in Japan!

As a sneak peek of what’s to come, the San-X Net Shop Facebook page shared a photo of this year’s Christmas 2015 Net Shop Exclusive playset!

Looks like a tasty dinner!

I always look forward to their playset designs every year, and it’s great to see a yummy Christmas dinner being shared by Team Rilakkuma! Pre-orders coming soon!

In other news, I’m currently doing my internal medicine inpatient rotation for medical school, and it’s really a blast! Long hours, but I’m really enjoying everything I do, I just wish I knew more haha, but I suppose that will come with time since I am just a student now! Magical Dining Month here in Orlando has just begun, so I’m really looking forward to sharing some wonderful meals with friends this month!

That’s all for now! What do you have your eye on, Rilakkuma or otherwise?

Sweet Happy Rilakkuma! + New! Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi!

Enjoying the summer heat? It’s over 90 degrees here, it must be so warm being fluffy like Rilakkuma!

Speaking of warm and fluffy, say hello to Sweet Happy Rilakkuma!

He really lives up to his name!

His sea foam green bow also features a gold monogram pendant!

The yellow pads on his ears, paws, and feet have a beautiful floral pattern!

The lining of his back pocket is shiny!

Tag art: a fluffy Rilakkuma with a key and a perfume bottle.

I love this bear because he has such a unique, fluffy texture that has a little shine to it, and unlike most standard sized Rilakkumas, he is naturally in a sitting position!

His fur length is probably between My Only and Winter Knit Rilakkuma. Like My Only Rilakkuma, his eyes and snout are brown instead of black. I really love the subtle variation from the norm in this plush!

This dainty plush is from the Sweet Happy (スイートハッピー) Series, which was released in May 2014.

Huge thanks again to my Aunt Lulu for helping me get this super cute Rilakkuma :D What would my collection be without her help?

Blogger Brenda (Nadeshikocha) has some great photos of her Sweet Happy Rilakkuma in action on her Instagram, check them out!

In transportation Rilakkuma news: a new train collaboration is here! Rilakkuma x Hayabusa x Komachi!

Yay, new train bears!

Train bear plush: 2,000円. Plush keychain: 1,380円.

Look forward to these bears plus other merchandise like pouches, folders, pens, and towels on July 18! ike the Mochi Series, their shape is pretty tsum tsum-esque, don’t you think?

Hayabusa (はやぶさ) is a shinkansen service that runs between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori, and is painted a beautiful teal and violet. How appropriate that Hayabusa also means peregrine falcon, a bird that has the fastest speed in the animal kingdom! I like how the Hayabusa Rilakkuma has lights :)

Komachi (こまち) is also a shinkansen service like Hayabusa, and it runs from Tokyo to Akita. The Komachi line is painted red, and is named after a famous waka poet from the area, Ono no Komachi.

I have to say, I haven’t personally been on these lines before, but that hasn’t really stopped me from collecting Rilakkumas representing them haha. So I will certainly be trying to get these! It’ll be great for them to join the other train-bear hybrids: Dr. Yellow and Shinkansen!

Feeling overwhelmed by summer Rilakkuma news yet??? July 18th is going to be such a big day!!

Airplane Rilakkuma! + New! Hankyu Stationmaster design + JAXA 2015!

The theme of today’s post is transportation!

From my own collection, it’s Airplane Rilakkuma!

Rilakkuma relaxing on top of an airplane!

Rilakkuma rides a beautiful baby blue airplane, courtesy of Rilakkuma airlines!

View from the top!

Tag art: Rilakkuma and friends on top of the plane, with a thematic homage to the Bonjour Series (2010)!

This plushie took flight in August 2014 in major airports across Japan, as part of the Rilakkuma Airline Series, which also featured travel items such as eye masks, neck pillows, and slippers!

Major thanks to my Aunt Lulu, who was able to arrange for me to get this plush from Haneda airport – thank you!

Following the theme of today’s post, there are two new transportation-related Rilakkuma sequels that I’m super excited about!

Do you remember the Rilakkuma x Hankyu collaboration from April that was the next in a long line of train Rilakkumas (Yamanote, Dr. Yellow)? Well, this July 18th, the Hankyu stationmaster is getting an updated uniform!

From maroon to black! Summer stationmaster plush: 2,052円, Plush keychain: 1,404円, Multibox: 1,296円.

This updated stationmaster plush design is part of a special summer event on the Hankyu line, including new train designs for the summer on the Kobe, Takarazuka, and Kyoto lines as well as more products, prizes, and more!

I am lucky to have the April Hankyu Rilakkuma waiting for me at my parents’ house, but this new design is so tempting! I think I’ll have to go for this new design too if I keep doing well in school – I haven’t missed a train Rilakkuma yet!

Now for a different type of transportation, the popular Rilakkuma x JAXA collaboration plush from last year is getting a sequel this summer too! This year, the Rilakkuma x JAXA collaboration features the entire Rilakkuma team!

Rilakkuma x JAXA was a special collaboration during last year’s Space Series! I’m glad they’re back again this summer, too!

Last year, there was only Rilakkuma, and now we have the whole team! 2,400円 each.

In addition to getting some uniforms fitted for Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori, you may also notice that the rocket they each hold is different from last year’s design! This year’s JAXA plushies feature the H-IIA rocket, a Japanese launch system used to launch satellites, lunar orbiting spacecraft, and interplanetary space probes – how exciting! I love it when Rilakkuma plush details have such significance to them!

Like the new Hankyu design, these new plushies will also be released on July 18, along keychains, towels, and ballpoint pens!

Also for Sumikko Gurashi fans, there’s an amazing Sumikko Gurashi Sushi Series coming soon in August!

A delicious sushi theme!

Bowl playset: 3,000円, individual plush: 550円.

Probably one of my favorite Sumikko Gurashi series so far! Though hard to pick just one, I think my favorite from this design is Nisetsumuri (にせつむり) using sushi as a shell!

There’s so much more cool merchandise from this line that is exquisitely well designed, so be sure to check out the whole line!

Hope you enjoyed this travel-themed post (well, except for the sushi haha)! And happy Independence Day to all the Rilakkuma fans celebrating this weekend!

PS Rilakkuma US has a booth(#1911) at Anime Expo, with lots of merchandise and an event exclusive backpack! I hope they come to Florida soon so I can attend one of these amazing events!

End of June update!

Hello everyone, and sorry for the long delay since my last post! I’ve been working hard on my neurology clerkship, and got to see all kinds of cool things like angiograms, EEGs, and lumbar punctures. Lots of hard work, but I just took my neurology final yesterday, and next week, I will be starting with my psychiatry clerkship – wow, my third year of medical school is already flying by!

Since we’re gearing up for summer, Rilakkuma fans have a lot to look forward to, as generally Rilakkuma releases come in big waves this season! Here are a few releases I’m looking forward to!

They’re cuddly pandas!

Standard edition: 1,800円 each.

Caravan edition: 1,500円

Store exclusive edition: 2,100円 each

Panda Series (パンダでごろん) – July 2015

This is the big summer series this year! San-X usually saves the animal themes for the major fall release, but I really love this design! Pandas are so adorable, aren’t they? And I really love the idea of bears dressing up as other bears haha.

In addition to plushies, there’s lots of other cute products in the series, like this super adorable tissue box cover – wow!

I’m definitely getting a plushie from this series, but not sure which one yet! I’m leaning toward the caravan design right now, because I love the panda dango!

Looks like Rilakkuma’s take on the Rolling Stones!

Look at these rockstars! I always love a Rilakkuma in a jumpsuit hehehe. Only attainable by lottery after buying another product.

Glad to see that the Riakkuma x Tower Records Cafe is continuing this year too!

Rilakkuma x Tower Records 2015 – July 10

I look forward to this collaboration every year – I love seeing Rilakkuma and friends as rockstars! They look super cool this year with their sunglasses hehehe. I hope they release a playset like last year, too! Seems a little more complicated to get the standard sized collectible plushies this year though, since you have to buy something, then hope you get the plush though a lottery (thanks for the info, sundusts!).

I’m also really happy to see the continuation of the Rilakkuma partnership with Tower Records Cafe, too! There were some pretty amazing photos from last year’s event (check out angelacarpediem’s!), and I hope I get the opportunity to go in the future! I wonder what Rilakkuma-themed meal they’ll be serving this year! Rock on!

Hooray, celebrating another Rilakkuma Store! 1,900円 each.

Adorable playset released on the same day at all Rilakkuma Stores! 3,580円.

Kamiotai (上小田井) Rilakkuma Store Plus Sumikko Gurashi Shop Opening – July 3

Wow, another Rilakkuma Store is cropping up in Japan! Cool that it’s another Rilakkuma Store plus Sumikko Gurashi Shop like the one they recently opened in Fujimi. This time it’s in Kamiotai, in Nagoya!

In this series, Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma hold a golden (Kiiroitori) orca whale, a symbol of Nagoya. A very cute and meaningful design, and I love that these bears are sitting down (that Kiiroitori whale must be heavy)!

On the same day of the Kamiotai opening, Rilakkuma Stores across Japan will also be selling a special Rilakkuma playset! Can anyone shed any light on what they’re snacking on? Kinda looks like something dipped in honey.

Hahaha all of these new store openings are gonna make it hard for me to see all of them! When I went to Japan in 2013, I got to visit 4 out of 8, but now there are 11, and probably more to come! So cool to see more and more Rilakkuma Stores crop up!!

Popcorn Rilakkuma ready for the movies! 1,580円 each.

Harajuku 3rd Anniversary – July 4

In addition to a new Rilakkuma Store opening, the Harajuku Rilakkuma is celebrating it’s 3rd anniversary with a popcorn theme during Independence Day here in the US! Rilakkuma seems like the only one who avoided being actually inside a popcorn bucket himself haha. I like that they’ve been going with food themes for recent anniversary plushes :D

Any Rilakkuma designs catching your eye? I’ve been eying the Mister Donut beach towel promotion recently, and might pick up the blue design since there are a ton of affordable ones on auction right now!

Valentines 2015 Rilakkuma Plushies!

Hello! Quick update again: I’m in the midst of studying for my first national board exam called USMLE Step 1. I am basically holed up all day in my apartment doing practice questions from the moment I wake up to the moment I sleep – ah! So very, very sorry for the lack of updates and contact, hopefully can get more active in May after my big test! Medical school is no joke!

But there is always time for Rilakkuma!! Check out the amazingly cute Valentines 2015 Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma!

Happy belated Valentine’s Day!

Each bear is holding a bouquet of hearts, and there’s a little hidden Rilakkuma in there, too!

Korilakkuma’s heart bouquet has a different, pinker color scheme that matches her! A cute set of hearts of all different textures!

One of the coolest details about this series is that they come with these super cute sturdy tags that say “I love Rilakkuma” on them! And my favorite detail is that the hole in the “e” is a bear shape!

And of course, the come with regular tags, too! I wonder what color heart Kiiroitori’s tag is?

I love their bouquet of hearts! I think I’d prefer a bouquet of hearts over a bouquet of flowers (I’m allergic to most flowers haha).

These lovely Rilakkuma plushies were from the Rilakkuma Store Exclusive Valentines Day 2015 release!

These were a gift from my favorite Rilakkuma artist (hehehe) Simon! Thank you so much, these plushies really fill me with love :D

Also, my awesome aunt Lulu was able to get me an awesome Rilakkuma haul from Japan!

Lemony fresh!

They’re waiting for me in the Philippines!

Two lovely Lemon Series (February 2015) Rilakkumas, one from the standard line, and another from the Rilakkuma Store Exclusive line – plus the cute stationary! Awesome! And a super cute Mochi Series (February 2015) Rilakkuma too! Also two Factory Rilakkumas hehehe but those are for her and my sister (I already have one!).

What’s new with everyone? Have you seen this bake-riffic Kobe 1st Anniversary Rilakkuma?

Coming out April 17, for 1580円 each! Looks tasty, and I love the bear-shaped buttons!

SO CUTE! And what about the amazing new Rilakkuma Store Plus Sumikko Gurashi Shop opening in Fujimi on April 10?

Fujimi Store exclusive Rilakkuma plushies featuring Mt. Fuji! 1,900円 each.

Fujimi Store exclusive Sumikko Gurashi plushies, 600円 each.

Lemon Series playset available at all Rilakkuma Stores to celebrate the opening – yum! 3,800円.

And a Sumikko Gurashi special plush to celebrate the opening, too! 2,600円.

Really great that Sumikko Gurashi is really rising up, and even getting store space for themselves – woohoo!

Lots of cool things to be excited about! What are you most excited for?

Also everyone should check out Liemzie’s post about getting the Hankyu Rilakkuma at the Osaka pop-up store! So awesome! I already placed my pre-order at Mira Plush, and can’t wait for him to arrive!!

New! Rilakkuma x Hankyu Railway + Rilakkuma x Lawson Lemon Series playset!

Quick update: more train bears! WOW – Rilakkuma is partnering with Hankyu Railway!

Rilakkuma x Hankyu (リラックマ×阪急電車) stationmaster plushie: 2052円.

Definitely a “must get” for me! My family took the Hankyu Railway (阪急電車) when we were visiting Kyoto and Osaka 2 years ago (wow, doesn’t time fly?). This amazing collaboration comes out April 2 at the Umeda Rilakkuma Store, and April 9 at other stores (see the official press release for more details).

So awesome, and I’m sure my other transportation bears (Yamanote Line, Shinkansen, and Dr. Yellow) are looking forward to meeting this Hankyu Rilakkuma, too! I love these collaborations!!

Also, check out this Lawson x Rilakkuma Fresh Lemon Series plush playset!

Where can I get a sleeping bag like that! Playset: 4212円.

Wow, a lemon sleeping bag!! Very, very adorable – of course Rilakkuma and friends could make something as sour as a lemon look sweet! Pre-orders are open now, and this snug plush playset is planned to be officially released on July 2!

Okay back to studying for me!! Let me know what Rilakkuma items you have your eye on!

Happy Lunar New Year!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Hope it was full of bears, whether they were Rilakkuma bears or gummy bears hahaha.

Wow, it’s really been so long since I’ve posted! Medical school has really been a whirlwind lately: I’m almost done with my coursework for this year, and will be taking my first national board exam at the end of April!! Apologies for the spottiness in posting, but school comes first right now!

By the way…

Rilakkuma for your daily life!

You can catch me on Instagram when I’m not posting here! Recently, I haven’t had long stretches of time where I could sit down for an hour or two to write these posts on WordPress, but do get a chance to snap a quick shot of some Rilakkumas from my collection for Instagram. Check it out!

In the meantime, whoa there’s been a lot going on in the Rilakkuma World! Let’s run through some highlights!

Hello, Lemon Rilakkuma!

Super cute farmers for the standard release! 1,900円 each.

For the Rilakkuma Store Exclusive, Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma turn into… lemon/bee hybrids!? And Kiiroitori shapeshifts into a lemon hehehe. Love their poses! 1,780円 each.

Another Rilakkuma Store exclusive: lovely hanging charms featuring the whole team inside of lemons! 1,380円 each.

For Caravan: a sitting Rilakkuma with a lemon hat and a Kiiroitori lemon! 1,800円.

Fresh Lemon Series (フレッシュレモン) – March 2015

Wow, what an incredibly detailed line to ring in the spring season! The illustrations are beautiful as always, and I love the creativity they’ve brought into their designs! I absolutely love that they actually morphed Kiiroitori into a lemon shape for the Store Exclusive Series hehehe, and then completely transformed him into an entire lemon for the Caravan plushie! Kinda reminds me of those Animorphs book covers haha.

I think I’m going to pick up at least one of the plushies from this series, just haven’t decided yet! I use lemons enough in my daily eating and tea-drinking so I should probably get a Rilakkuma tribute for that hehe.

Plushies from all sorts of famous San-X lines! 600円 each.

Wow!! Check out this ultra-cute photo taken by the San-X Net Shop!

Mochi Series – February 2015

Hahaha they remind me a lot of Disney Tsum Tsums! Really cute, and I love how round and squishable they look! I have a really big Winnie the Pooh Tsum Tsum so I’d really love to get a really big mochi Rilakkuma to match too – hope they come out with larger sizes soon!

What a lovely bouquet of hearts! Korilakkuma got all pink hearts hehehe. 1,780円 each.

Valentines Day 2015 Series – February 2015

These lovely plushies came out just in time for Valentine’s Day this year! I always love these holiday-themed sets, and I especially love the little “I love” tag attached to their fabric tag – such a romantic detail!

Traveling in style! 1,500円 each.

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 6th Anniversary Series – February 2015

Whoa! Can you believe the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store has been open for 6 years already? The Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store was actually the first Rilakkuma I visited, back in 2013, so it holds a special place in my heart!

The whole crew looks super fashionable and ready to travel in style! What an appropriate design for Tokyo Station, since it’s such a travel hotspot! I have to admit, it was hard transitioning from the standard sized plushies they used to release for the store anniversaries, but since getting mini-plushies such as the plushies from the Vegetable Series, the JINS PC series, and the Factory Series I’ve really warmed up to this mini-style of Rilakkuma plush!

Yum, looks delicious! 1,580円 each.

Fukuoka Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary Series – March 2015

What a beautifully detailed anniversary series! This year’s Fukuoka anniversary series is mentaiko themed! Mentaiko (明太子) is marinated pollock and cod roe, and is the most popular souvenir from Fukuoka! It’s a popular complement to noodle dishes (like this Rilakkuma plush), with rice, or on its own (like Korilakkuma’s!). Perfect as this year’s anniversary plush!

I love learning about Japanese food and culture through Rilakkuma plushies! I might want to pick up the Rilakkuma from this line if I do well on my next exam – his noodle bowl looks delicious!!

So what do YOU think? Any of these bears catching your eye?

 

Kobe Rilakkuma Store Opening Rilakkuma Plush Set!

In honor of these wintery months, I present the Kobe Rilakkuma Store Opening Plush Set!

Rilakkuma and friends get to relax on a giant polar bear!

Rilakkuma’s arms back in a perfect relaxed pose!

Korilakkuma lazes around with her favorite toy penguin!

The bears get their own striped boots, while Kiiroitori gets… some shorts? Looks kind of like a diaper hehehe.

The polar bear! Whose ear features a blue and white striped pattern, and is continuous on the back side of the plush, too!

One of my favorite Rilakkuma details from this year: little striped bear! Wow, so adorable! Wish they also sold a larger plush bear like him!

Tag art: just like the plush itself!

Awesome! I absolutely love plush sets like this :3

This plush was a Rilakkuma Store exclusive honoring the opening of the 9th Rilakkuma Store in Kobe back in April! This plush follows the Stripes Series theme, which debuted a month prior to the Kobe Rilakkuma Store grand opening. How great to have this little piece of Rilakkuma history!

Big thanks to my Auntie Lulu for helping me acquire this cuddly plush! She has been so wonderful in helping me get new Rilakkumas lately :3

There have been quite a few new happenings in the Rilakkuma world since I last posted, but here are a couple of recent highlights!

What do you all think about this Mobile Exclusive Space Series Set?

Whoa! Check out this cosmic Rilakkuma diorama!

Hehehe, what a unique plushie design! This boxed plush set costs 7,800円 (6,800円 for those with a paid membership), and orders will be taken until January 13.

What about these fancy Rilakkuma contact lenses?

A Rilakkuma Hearts Series theme for your eyes!

Manufactured by Refrear, these cute contacts are 1,800円 for 10 contacts (5 single-day uses). They’re a nice, subtle look – I wonder how many people would even notice a change if I wore these though?

What about this Hatsuyume Rilakkuma plushie?

I dream of Rilakkuma!

Wow! I really love this concept and design! This auspicious plushie is 8,230円, and will be released on January 1 and 2 in all Rilakkuma Stores.

Hatsuyume (初夢) is the Japanese word for the first dream had in the new year. Traditionally, the contents of the dream would foretell the luck of the dreamer, and it is considered to be particularly good luck to dream of Mount Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant – how awesome to see these 3 symbols in this plushie! I’m guessing a dream with Rilakkuma would make you even luckier! ;)

Apologies for the lack of updates recently: schooling and responsibilities just get in the way of things sometimes, eh?

How has your winter been going this year? Any Rilakkumas for gifts?

My family surprised me with an XL Winnie the Pooh Tsum Tsum last night!

Rilakkuma and Pooh Bear Tsum Tsum wish you a happy new year!

My family is so thoughtful! That Tsum Tsum game is way too addicting! Hope everyone is having a wonderful time as 2014 comes to a close!

Hot Pot (Nabe, 鍋) Rilakkuma Plush Set!

Now that it’s starting to get chilly around these parts, how about a warm hot pot stave off the cold?

Presenting… the Hot Pot (Nabe, 鍋) Rilakkuma Plush Set!

Who could be inside?

It’s a plush Rilakkuma hot pot!

Out of the box!

Every item, all snug inside!

All of the ingredients inside, laid out!

Rilakkuma is a green onion (長ネギ), Korilakkuma is a squid (イカ), and Kiiroitori is a shiitake (しいたけ) mushroom!

Rilakkuma holds a green onion like a backpack!

Ingredients: 3 x napa cabbage (白菜) with 1 x that is bear-shaped, 1 x tofu (豆腐) with a Rilakkuma face, 3 x carrot pieces (にんじん) with 1 x that is bear-shaped, 1 x shrimp (エビ), 1 x shiratake noodle (しらたき) bunch, and 1 x shiitake (しいたけ) mushroom.

I was really excited about this purchase, and it’s probably going to my major investment this winter! Since I have a bad habit of splurging during the spring/summer, I usually cut down significantly on buying during the winter months, but this year, this hot pot set is my exception!

I definitely have too much fun with this set – assembling and reassembling them in different configurations can be quite therapeutic haha.

This wonderful plush set was released as a Rilakkuma Store Exclusive on November 1st.

Nabe (鍋) refers to a variety of Japanese hot pot dishes that are traditionally cooked and kept hot by portable stoves in the middle of the dining table – a really great way to share a meal among family and friends!

Amazingly, this plush set not only comes with an adorable collection of Rilakkuma hot pot ingredients, but since it was originally intended to serve as a gift set, it also comes with a gift certificate to order hot pot ingredients out of a choice of 11 different hot pot combinations!

This one I put in the front looks the closest to the plush hot pot, I think! (Cameo appearance in the corner by hard-working paperweight, Factory Rilakkuma)

Yum! Haven’t picked which one I’d like yet – they all look really great! Just in time for winter, too!

What kind of noodle dishes is your favorite? Personally, I am quite partial to udon soups.

In other news, check out the Year of the Sheep (未) 2015 plush design!

Cute and fluffy sheep for the new year!

Great! Love their little daruma of each other. Would love to see a combo plush with all three of them like they did for this year’s Year of the Horse 2014 Rilakkuma Store Exclusive. The sheep is Simon’s zodiac year, so hopefully I can pick one up for him!

Miniplush Double Feature: JINS PC Rilakkuma and Rilakkuma Factory Plushie!

A special double feature showcasing my first two miniplushies – I usually collect the standard 22 cm plushies, and have been pretty hesitant about miniplushies… but I gotta say, after seeing and holding these two in person, I’m a true miniplush believer now!

First up is the Rilakkuma x JINS PC plushie!

Great commitment to eye protection, Rilakkuma!

Unlike the sunglasses in the Aloha Series, his glasses do not have an elastic band in the back.

His new glasses protect him from the light from his electronics! Do you think he’s holding an iPhone or an iPad?

Tag art: I love how the tag art matches his face and fabric tag art, too!

He reminds me a lot of my sister because she has a Rilakkuma iPhone case like he does, and she used to wear glasses too hehehe.

This smart bear was released as part of the Rilakkuma x JINS PC collaboration, which debuted September 2014. This campaign centered around a special kind of eyeglasses that blocks harmful light from electronic devices, preventing eye strain. I honestly don’t know if they have any major benefit to your eyes, but it is a stunningly adorable collaboration regardless.

Next is the Rilakkuma Factory Series plushie! Well, he’s more of a soft and cuddly paperweight rather than a standard collectible plush, but super cute nonetheless!

Ready to work!

His lovely red and blue bowtie also has a special metal Rilakkuma medal!

One of my favorite designs, this tag art gives you instructions on “how to use” this plush as a paperweight! And lets you know that he weighs 230 g – wow!

Not only did I get the plush paperweight, but a pencil case and holder for Simon’s art projects, too!

Cute! He’s really dense and heavy, and truly does make a great paperweight hehehe. He’s from the Rilakkuma Factory Series, which was a special line for the professionals and office workers of the Rilakkuma fan community that was released April 2014. As you may recall, Rilakkuma Factory was also the theme of this year’s Rilakkuma x Tower Records collaboration!

I’m super thankful to my aunt for helping me get these plushies! Every time she goes (or hears of one of her friends going) to Japan, she always sees if she can pick up a Rilakkuma plushie or two for me – so thoughtful! My favorite part of collecting Rilakkuma is that everyone helps each other out!

School has been pretty wild on my end as modules are now only 6 weeks long, meaning I am studying for an exam just about every month! But Rilakkuma news keeps on rolling, so let’s do a quick run of what’s new in the Rilakkuma world:

Rilakkuma La Fraise Series (パリのいちご): this sweet, Parisian revisit of the 2010 Bonjour Series is scheduled for release on December 6!

A beautiful Parisian-themed strawberry series!

How posh! Standard series: 1,880円 each

These plushies can fit inside their strawberries! Well, except for Kiiroitori… Rilakkuma Store Exclusive Series: 1,780円 each.

Interesting choice of fruit – I thought that since Rilakkuma has had so many strawberry themed series in the past (like in 2009), they would pick another fruit, but hey, I love strawberries and strawbears, so I can’t complain haha.

Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Knit Goods (ニットグッズ): out already this November, this cute combo knit series takes the success of the Winter Heart Series from last year and makes Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi even more bundled up!

I love the color scheme they gave to Rilakkuma! Standard plushies: 1,780円 each.

They’re in mittens!! Hanging plushies: 1,200円 each.

Wow! Such a cute poncho design! I love these Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi collabs – combining my 2 favorite character series!

Rilakkuloset Winter 2014 (リラックローゼット): the Rilakkuloset Series debuted in 2013, and features furniture outfits that you can purchase for your M and S Classic Rilakkumas! This year, the outfits are more elaborate and were released this November – check it out!

Wow, look at all of those designs!

Ready for a rainy day! Frog raincoats and accessories (boots, umbrella, and teru teru bozu) for S Classics: 1,620円 each.

Sleepy time! Pajama top and pants set and accessories (hat and plush) for M Classics: 2,700円 each

Don’t forget to get furniture too! Sofa: 1,500円, Bathtub: 2,500円, Bed: 2,500円.

I regrettably have not been tracking Rilakkuloset very closely, but they have some really fantastic outfits out! The above is just a sample of their Rilakkuloset line from this year, which also features a marine set, fuzzy coat set, and rabbit set!

Christmas 2014: also out now, this year’s Christmas series is super special, with a festive patterned stole for the standard series, and a cute limited edition plush Christmas tree, too!

Wow, they brought back the Indifferent Snowperson again! I love the bear-shaped wreath, too! Standard plushies: 1,800円 each.

And Kiiroitori is the star on top of the tree this year! Rilakkuma Store Exclusive Christmas tree plush: 10,000円.

Really lovely! I always look forward to seeing what the Christmas specials are like!

Lemon Series: sneak peek for the series to be released in March 2015 – Rilakkuma and pals become lemon farmers!

Wow, great overalls!

Wow! They look great! I love using lemons in my tea and when I cook, so I might pick up one of these! You can pre-order this series now over at Mira Plush.

That’s all for now! Any sets coming out that have piqued your interest?