SANRIO Fest [2024]: VRChat, VTubers, and Collectibles!
Extended Reality
1-minute read
Sanrio, the company behind beloved characters such as Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Badtz-Maru, has been very active in the metaverse. Since 2021, they have hosted the SANRIO Virtual Festival on VRChat, even transporting the entire Sanrio Puroland into the virtual realm.
The SANRIO Virtual Festival 2024 promises to be even more spectacular than previous editions. Scheduled to run through March 17, the festival will not only feature appearances by the famous characters but will also invite a host of virtual singers and VTubers. This includes the reincarnated V Goto Maki, a virtual singer who previously performed at the Okinawa Summer Music Festival, Nagase Yuka from RIOT MUSIC who straddles the 2D-3D divide, and the electronic duo CAPSULE known for their virtual and physical presence. The lineup is dazzling and not to be missed.
(Source: SANRIO Virtual Festival 2024 in Sanrio Puroland) What's a festival without merchandise? Shopping is, of course, an essential part of the experience.
In addition to the official merchandise, this year Sanrio has partnered with the Japanese clothing group Adastria (known for .st). They have brought together many brands under the .st umbrella (such as Global Work, Nico and…, Lowrys Farm, which you might have seen in department stores) to launch a total of 58 collaborative items for the adorable Sanrio characters. These items are available in both physical and digital versions, with the physical products sold at .st online stores and respective brand shops, while the digital goods will be sold at .st's BOOTH store in VRChat.
The first wave of collaborative merchandise has been announced. (Source: .st) At the virtual Sanrio Puroland in VRChat, there will also be a .st booth, complete with fitting rooms for festival attendees to try on outfits to their heart's content. Sanrio fans, are you excited for this?
Virtual influencers and VTubers as endorsers. (Source: @YozakifromYHS)
