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#kawaii

2 articles Reset

Japan

Society11 min

Gachapon: Japan's Capsule Toy Culture

The history and culture of gachapon, Japan's capsule-toy machines. Onomatopoeic origins, Bandai, Kaiyōdō, Fuchiko, and an industry worth hundreds of billions of yen.

May 10, 2026Read

Japan

Society9 min

Sanrio and Hello Kitty: The Global Empire of Japanese Kawaii

From silk to Hello Kitty through Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and My Melody, the history of Sanrio, the Japanese company that invented the economy of kawaii.

March 6, 2026Read