Sanrio revealed the first crossover goods that it is creating with the American rock band KISS. Four plush figures reimagine the four KISS band members, as they appeared on the jacket cover from the band's Dynasty album. The release date and price have not been set yet, but Sanrio and KISS also displayed keyholders, cases, and other character goods.
Gene Simmons, the front man for KISS, revealed last June that he met with executives to discuss, in his words, "a KISS-Hello Kitty worldwide deal. Wow." Simmons plans to sell the Hello Kitty merchandise at the band's concert venues, and the band is considering developing the collaboration overseas as well.
As Sanrio's most recognizable character, Hello Kitty has already joined forces with the rock band X Japan to create "Visual-Kei Kitty." The artist duo Mad Barbarians (Unko-san) designed official Hello Kitty Zombie Friends for Kitan Club's mascot lineup last September. ASCII Media Works' Tokyo Kawaii Magazine has been selling T-shirts and rubber straps that combine Hello Kitty with Hatsune Miku and other virtual idol characters from Crypton Future Media.
Simmons himself played Jack ill Dark, the "Emperor" of rock, in the live-action film adaptation of Kiminori Wakasugi's Detroit Metal City comedy manga.
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ngl this sounds totally awesome