Latest news with #HelloKitty
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Tonight's Cubs and White Sox games are postponed because of rain. When will they be made up?
Both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox home games Wednesday night have been postponed because of rain. The Cubs were scheduled to play the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. That game now will be part of a split doubleheader on Monday, Aug. 18, at 1:20 and 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Jameson Taillon, Wednesday's scheduled starter for the Cubs, was pushed back and will get the ball for Thursday's series finale at 1:20 p.m. The Cubs said fans who didn't pick up the Hello Kitty special ticket offer before Wednesday's postponement can redeem it on the rescheduled date. The White Sox game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rate Field will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader beginning at 1:10 p.m. Thursday. The second game will begin about 30 to 45 minutes after the opener ends. Sean Burke and Mike Vasil are scheduled to start for the Sox. The Cardinals pitchers are to be determined.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
After pop-up test, Miniso opens permanent store at Liberty Romford
Miniso 's UK expansion continues apace in June. Not one opening but three, with the latest landing for the Chinese variety retailer taking place at Liberty Romford. And the Redical-owned shopping centre has already proven a fertile patch for the brand as the new store replaces a successful pop-up that first launched last December. Adding to Liberty Romford's 'dynamic tenant line-up and capitalising on the destination's position as the number one London satellite shopping centre for retail spend opportunity", Miniso has unveiled its 2,270 sq ft store at the London borough-based venue. While shoppers will discover everyday essentials, beauty, travel, homeware, tech and snacks, the star attractions include Vinyl Plush Blind Boxes alongside characters Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody, Pochacco and Pompompurin, and newer launches from Disney 's Stitch, Minecraft and Harry Potter. Its UK COO Saad Usman said: 'After such a fantastic response during our pop-up in December, we knew this vibrant, community-focused location was the perfect place to make a permanent home.' And the other two June openings? The brand also lands in Luton later this week (20 June) at the Luton Point shopping centre, featuring the above-mentioned collections within a new 2,723 sq ft retail space. Earlier this month, it also made its Glasgow debut at the Braehead Shopping Centre second in Scotland, becoming its second unit in Scotland. The opening of a 1,750 sq ft store, located on the lower level, is 'testament to the significant appeal the centre has among leading global brands", according to Huw Kmiot, associate director of the centre's asset manager Pradera Lateral.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Hello Kitty says ‘hi' to Beijing museum
BEIJING (China Daily/ANN) — A 10-meter-tall apple, a cotton-candy world draped in pink plush and dreamy, bow-shaped lights under a mirrored dome — this summer, Hello Kitty is inviting fans of all ages on a fantastical journey at the Times Art Museum in Beijing. The Hello Kitty Cosmos Light and Shadow Exhibition officially opened on May 30, marking one of the largest immersive Hello Kitty-themed light exhibitions ever held. Spanning more than 2,000 square meters, the show features 10 themed zones, and over 70 percent of the artworks are custom-created for this event. The exhibition pushes the boundaries of interactivity and immersion, integrating advanced technologies, such as holographic projection, motion-capture systems and light-art installations. Visitors are encouraged to explore a playful, dreamlike world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur. A highlight of the opening ceremony was a surprise appearance by Hello Kitty herself, joined by beloved characters My Melody and Kuromi. The trio delighted fans with performances and audience interactions. Adding to the excitement, Hello Kitty's longtime designer, Yuko Yamaguchi, traveled from Japan to attend the event. She participated in live signings and met fans face-to-face. The Times Art Museum is also showcasing a cross-disciplinary section for the exhibition, themed Hello Kitty Art, featuring 38 original works by 21 contemporary artists. These reinterpretations of the iconic character span painting, sculpture and mixed media, offering a fresh perspective on this cultural icon. Among the exhibition's most talked-about spaces is the Magical Imagination of Pixels zone, a vibrant digital playground inspired by 8-bit aesthetics. Here, colorful pixel blocks and new media installations invite visitors to explore the imaginative intersections of the digital and physical worlds. With its expansive scale, creative design and cutting-edge interactivity, Hello Kitty Cosmos offers a multisensory experience that blends nostalgia, artistry and innovation — making it a must-see destination for fans, families and art lovers this summer.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Spark Deep Dive: How Labubu is captivating fans around the world
News: Labubu, the adorable Chinese phenomenon, is captivating global fans The toy is drawing comparisons to Hello Kitty with its universal appeal and clever marketing Pop Mart is the company behind the hit collectible character Labubu. It was virtually unknown outside mainland China before 2024. Now, some analysts are comparing its success to that of Hello Kitty. Labubu is a sharp-fanged but cute little monster often sold as a plush clip-on charm for handbags. He has attracted high-profile fans. April marked the debut of the Labubu 3.0 series, which drew long queues in London, New York and Dubai. For years, there's been a push [for Chinese companies] to 'go global' by exporting heritage and storytelling,' said Chris Pereira. He is the founder and CEO of iMpact, a brand consulting company in Singapore. 'But Labubu flips that script. It's not trying to explain China; it's just trying to be lovable.' The constant hype around Labubu has 'great similarities' to Hello Kitty, which turned 50 last year, according to JPMorgan Chase. International sales rose more than 480 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to last year. This growth was led by increases of 900 per cent in the US and 600 per cent in Europe. Pereira said the popularity of the intellectual property (IP) opens the door for a wave of Chinese brands to succeed not because they are about China, but because they tap into universal emotions. Labubu's rise in popularity is due to a few factors, said Richard Lin. He is the chief consumer analyst at SPDB International, a Hong Kong-based investment bank. 'This includes the scarcity of the product itself, which has fuelled spontaneous social-media promotion by those lucky enough to get their hands on the toy,' he said. The character also appeals to global consumers with its 'mischievous, cheeky image' that fans find irresistible, he said. 'In today's context, Hello Kitty might not resonate as much with younger audiences, who tend to look for characters with more individuality and edge,' he added. Shen Hao is a marketing professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He said that social media fuels the craze for toys like Labubu. 'People can easily find others online who have similar interests, to discuss and share photos, and they get a lot of likes or can even trade their toys,' he said. 'This creates an immersive experience to interact with each other and feel connected as a group.' As stunning as Labubu's success has been, it has decades to go to match Hello Kitty's staying power. Staff writers Staff writers Question prompts 1. According to the news, which of the following is true? (1) Labubu's international sales rose more than 480 per cent compared to last year in the first quarter of this year. (2) The Labubu 3.0 series drew huge queues in Chile and London. (3) Pop Mart's sales rose by 900 per cent in Europe last year. (4) Pop Mart was mostly unknown outside China until Labubu went viral in 2024. A. (1), (2) only B. (2), (3) only C. (3), (4) only D. (1), (4) only 2. List TWO reasons why Labubu has become so popular globally. 3. Name TWO ways in which Labubu is being compared to Hello Kitty in the news. Cartoon Question prompts 1. What is being shown in this cartoon? What might it represent? 2. What makes Labubu different from other popular characters? Explain using the news and your own knowledge. Glossary intellectual property (IP): creations of the mind used in business. This can include inventions, art, literary work, designs, names and images. IP is protected by laws such as patents, copyrights and trademarks. These laws allow creators and artists to get recognition or money for their work. scarcity: the limited availability of resources such as supplies, raw materials or labour, which impacts the production of goods and services and their prices spontaneous: something that is done out of a natural impulse, without having been thought about beforehand. Sample answers News D Labubu has gained popularity partly due to its cute yet mischievous appearance and the buzz generated on social media. Richard Lin noted that the toy's scarcity creates a craze, resulting in higher demand than the available supply, while Shen Hao added that fans of the character have connected on social media, which has allowed them to form a community and share photos and stories about their toys. (accept all reasonable answers) Both Labubu and Hello Kitty possess a charming quality, but as Lin noted, Labubu may appeal more to younger audiences because of its edgy quality. Additionally, while Labubu has recently garnered considerable attention, Hello Kitty's long-standing presence in the market remains a significant factor to consider. (accept all reasonable answers) Cartoon The image depicts a variety of plushies, dolls and toys gathering around a map of the world. On the map, several light bulbs are marked in different locations. This illustrates how dolls and toys, especially those from Pop Mart, are gaining popularity worldwide, with many hotspots emerging. (accept all reasonable answers) Labubu is extremely popular worldwide. The fact that the doll was designed by an artist from Hong Kong and is sold by a company based in Beijing will attract more attention to China. Enthusiasts of dolls and toys may become interested in discovering more toys made in China, which could have a positive impact on the economy, especially if Labubu rises to the same level of popularity as Hello Kitty. In addition, Labubu has an edgy quality, while other popular characters tend to look more cute. (accept all reasonable answers)
Tokyo Reported
6 days ago
- Tokyo Reported
Yuko Kitayama: Search continues nearly three decades after disappearance
Yuko Kitayama: Search continues nearly three decades after disappearance MIE (TR) – On the evening of June 13, 1997, Yuko Kitayama, then 17, finished her part-time job and headed to a friend's house to study. She was never heard from again. The case remains unsolved, with police continuing to seek the help of the public. On the morning of June 13 this year — the 28th anniversary of Kitayama's disappearance — police officers handed out leaflets in front of Matsusaka Station and once again called for information in the case. 'We are continuing our investigation with the firm belief that she will be returned to his parents,' said Kazuto Saijo, the chief of the Matsusaka Police Station. 'Please contact Matsusaka Police Station with any information you may have.' But there was a time when they did have such information. What happened next was a chronicle of missed opportunities that no mainstream news outlets mentioned this past week. Hello Kitty pager Yuko, a third-year student at Matsusaka Technical High School, worked at a local juku cram school in Meiwacho. On the day of her disappearance, she was planning to study with the aforementioned friend after finishing work. Her younger brother, three years younger than her, attended the same cram school, located near Saiku Station. Her mother would usually take her brother to the cram school in a light truck. She would then take Yuko's bicycle back to the house. Later, she would pick up both of them in a passenger car at around 8 p.m., and the three of them would return home together. However, on the day of her disappearance, there was not enough gas in the light truck. As a result, Yuko was to return home alone by bicycle that day. As well, her family was aware of her plans to study for a test with the friend rather than returning home immediately. After finishing her part-time job, she called the friend from a public phone near the town hall, about 200 meters from the cram school. She told her she would be there in about 10 minutes. However, when Yuko had not shown up by 11:00 p.m., her friend called her home. Her family was surprised, as they had assumed she would be at the friend's house. A search commenced. After they could not find her, they reported her missing with the Mie Prefectural Police at around 2:00 a.m. on June 14. Yuko usually kept a Hello Kitty-themed pager in the inside pocket of her vest. Her family and friends, who had been informed of her disappearance, sent a message to her pager and waited for a response, but there was no reply. Clothes, bicycle and bag never found At the time of her disappearance, Yuko had short hair, a medium build and stood about 150 centimeters tall. She was wearing a white short-sleeved blouse, a black uniform vest, a black pleated skirt, loose white socks and black cloth shoes, size 23.5. The navy blue bicycle she was riding had a Bridgestone T-shaped handlebar and was registered for theft prevention. Her contact information and name were written under the saddle. Her black shoulder bag for commuting to school contained a light blue wallet, a commuter pass case, a yellow lunch box, a comb, scissors and a mirror. The search for the surrounding area continued, but her clothes, bicycle and bag were never found. 'Why do you have Yuko's pager?' On the night of June 14, the day after her disappearance, Yuko's home received two suspicious phone calls at around 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. In both cases, the caller hung up as soon as the calls were answered. Her family later consulted with police. Shortly after Yuko's disappearance, her friends sent messages to her pager with their home phone numbers so that she could contact them. However, there were no signs of an accident in the area. Therefore, it was decided not to give out contact information as there was a possibility that Yuko had been involved in an incident. Sometime after June 16, a friend's house also received a series of mysterious silent calls. The friend thought that the caller had seen the messages addressed to Yuko and was making silent calls. She tried to talk to him, but at first there was no response. But one day, she asked, 'Where is Yuko?' A man's voice replied, 'I don't know her.' She then asked, 'Why do you have Yuko's pager?' He said, 'I picked it up.' 'Why do you have Yuko's pager?' However, in subsequent phone calls, the man's attitude changed, and he began to make different claims. 'I took her to the station,' he said. He added, 'She said she didn't have any money, so I lent her 50,000 yen. I took her pager as collateral.' The man then called her to Matsusaka Shopping Center MARM in Matsuzaka City. The friend accepted the invitation and told the police the situation. On June 20, while police were secretly deployed, the friend and Yuko's mother headed to the designated location. However, the man did not show up. Five days later, he called the house of her friend again. He said, 'I'll give you Yuko's pager back so come and get it.' She immediately rushed to the bus station to meet him, but only Yuko's grey pager was there. Notably, the gold bell and Hello Kitty keychain were not attached. Former offender On June 27, the man called the friend's house again. 'Did you receive the pager?' he asked. He then hung up quickly. Police traced the call to a public telephone in Ureshinocho, Mie Prefecture. They then took a man, age 46 at the time, in for voluntary questioning. He worked as a street vendor and lived nearby in Chayocho, Matsusaka City. An analysis of the man's voice and the calls made over the phone proved to be a match. As well, a white handkerchief with a blue pattern found in the man's pocket was confirmed by Yuko's family to be similar to one belonging to her. He was arrested the next day. During the course of the investigation, it became clear that the man did not have a clear alibi for the time when the incident took place. As well, he also a former offender, who served 12 years in prison for sexual assault and robbery. His modus operandi was to hit women on bicycles with his car, committing indecent acts and stealing their belongings. When the man's station wagon was examined, part of the left turn signal was broken. Further, there was a dent in the bumper that appeared to have been caused by a collision. A Japanese-Chinese dictionary believed to be Yuko's was found in the car. The dictionary had her friend's pager number written inside. Police increasingly suspected his vehicle used in a crime. They found more than 100 hairs and pieces of fiber inside. Police also found receipts for using the Ise Futami Toba Line toll road in the car, which raised suspicions that he had been traveling long distances to destroy evidence. The man regularly used a gas station in Matsusaka City once a week. Around the time of Yuko's disappearance, he filled up there on June 12, 15 and 17. Insufficient evidence Yuko had previously told a friend that she was scared because a suspicious man was following her. There was also a report of a white station wagon parked next to the public phone that she had used before her disappearance, which led police to increasingly believe likely that the man was involved. However, the man said during questioning that the pager was lost property. He also said that he had called the pager several times after learning that the owner was a high school girl. He continued to deny and remained silent about the charges regarding Yuko, including kidnapping. The man's detention expired on July 18. He was released due to insufficient evidence.
