“Hello Kitty is no sexist” according to The Japan Times, who reported recently that Japan’s much loved character Hello Kitty, who for years has adorned everything every girl could ever want, will now be launching a range aimed at men.
“We think Hello Kitty is accepted by young men as a design statement in fashion”
~Tohmatsu Kazuo
I’m not sure it’s accepted but whatever – if Tohmatsu says Kitty is going male, then she will. He proudly proclaimed that the current youth of Japan grew up with Hello Kitty and “feel no embarrassment” over wearing clothing that the pink cuteness adorns.
Before we go any further, I feel we should look at this highly scientific diagram I have drawn which serves to highlight some of the character’s most important attributes. Bear in mind this image is totally fair.
That’s right. Hello Kitty is pretty much all pink. Now whilst I have no problem with men wearing pink, apparently it’s the new blue which is the new green which in turn is the new pink, this evidence does lead me to doubt that Japanese school boys would “feel no embarrassment” over sticking what looks like an inflated strawberry marshmallow on their schoolbag.
Luckily however, the Hello Kitty team have thought of this and gone for a dark look for what they are calling “Hello Kitty Men’s Range” and what I am calling “ManKitty” as it’s a funny name.
Pretty rock and roll. I especially like the way they’ve carved her face off, written Hello Kitty in it’s place, then flung it onto a passing cloud/breath of air/head fart. That’s pretty edgy. But is it edgy enough? The answer is no. Here is how it would be acceptable;
1. Hello Kitty should always appear with her new friends Raku The Enraged Rhino, Johnny The 12″ Katana and everyone’s favourite Frequently Explod-y Man.
2. Hello Kitty should always appear in an interesting situation, such as being the only living creature strong enough to stop evil Russian bad guys left over from Bond films, or extreme snowboarding down a cliff whilst playing an amazing guitar solo.
3. Hello Kitty should only appear on items suitable for the modern man. Guitar straps, battleaxes and incredibly fast cars, for example.
4. Hello Kitty should always appear with a snappy one-liner to remind everyone how awesome she is, for example “Hello! I’m Hello Kitty! I’m going to snap your neck off!” … I’d buy a t-shirt with that on.
5. Hello Kitty should be able to fly, punch through walls and create beer out of nothing.
These are the five steps to Kitty success in a man’s world. You’ve heard the instructions, Tohmatsu, now go make our dreams a reality.
Possibly Related Content:
Yes!
“extreme snowboarding down a cliff whilst playing an amazing guitar solo.” I’d rock that shirt.
Mike, email me if you are interested in an interview on DailyJ.
There are already some cartoon characters which could work for men: Keropi, Doraemon, and Kogepan.
Tori: I’d be happy to do an interview although I am quite busy at present. Maybe sometime in the near future.
C-Squared: There is indeed, however it seems Kitty wants to muscle in on their turf.
I can understand why Hello Kitty might need some changes to make it work for men, but Men’s Pocky??
Alex Case: They’ve had bitter pocky, which is sort of marketed for men in a “man’s box” for years, but I didn’t hear they re-opened the case to get more men to buy it. How odd.
Hello Kitty for guys?
I’m a girl and I don’t even like Hello Kitty because of all the *shudders* pink. I can’t imagine guys really ging for the cute little kitty with a bow, even if they stick the stuff on black gear.
Nice list by the way, I love the snappy phrase. I’d buy a shirt with that on it in a heart beat too. lol :P
lol very good suggestions.
I’m a gay fashionista (very) and I wouldn’t wear anything Hello Kitty (I don’t do pink either), so imagine straight men…