Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Hello Kitty

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Hi-tech Hello kitty

Seeing big game cats online and in magazines is one thing, but getting up close and personal with one of the rarer forms of Japan’s most famous feline is something else altogether.

In particular, the way this one trapped unsuspecting targets in Tokyo with its tasteless and over the top trappings was a true sight to behold, with many of the victims leaving inexplicably dazzled and decidedly down on dough.

Although at least they did have a new NEC laptop to lug home, which is something,

Hello Kitty laptop

I suppose.

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Hello Kitty house call

In Japan, where kawaii is unquestionably king, nothing can escape from the ever increasing control of cuteness.

Hello Kitty Japan

Yet despite this, should there ever be a prize — if indeed there isn’t one already — for the country’s daintiest little door bell, then this one will definitely take some beating.

Hello Kitty Japan

And then some.

(click images for higher-res house-related homage)

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Hello Kitty control?

Through Japanese eyes at least, the cuteness of Hello Kitty is utterly unquestionable, with practically every product known to man boasting a ‘special edition’ bearing the feline’s almost featureless face. A money-making phenomenon presumably matched only by a certain mouse and his minions as far as merchandising is concerned.

Yet frivolity it seems can quickly turn to fear, as the initially fun for all the family fan pictured below is, on closer inspection, a bulging, big-headed and overbearing Big Brother-like beast that undoubtedly bullies little children into buying more Kitty goods.

hello kitty Tokyo

Either that or I need to get out more often or at the very least have a little lie down.

(click image for full-sized feline forcefulness)

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Hello Kitty hero?

With Japan’s ‘Disaster Preparedness Week’ drawing to a close today, those in charge can congratulate themselves on a job well done, as regardless of how well such things are planned, promotion is pivotal as far as overall success is concerned.

hello kitty Japan

And with this in mind, what (or indeed, who) could be better at furthering interest in such an educational event than everyone’s favourite feline firefighter, Hello Kitty?

hello kitty Japan

This somewhat unexpected move into the emergency services perhaps finally proving that there is absolutely nothing Japan’s most celebrated cat can’t do.

Well, apart from forming facial expressions that is.