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Hello Kitty is Back - And This Time, She's Not Messing Around

Date published: 11 March 2020

This is Hello Kitty like you've never seen her before.

This month, Hello Kitty and the popular children’s cartoon Shinkalion have been combined to create the weirdest Hello Kitty you’ll ever see! Takara Tomy Toys and Sanrio have teamed up to give us a glimpse of the Hello Kitty of the future(!?).

Shinkalion is a toy and animated series that features shinkansen bullet trains that transform into robots driven by children. Shinkalion Hello Kitty transforms from a model of the actual Hello Kitty Shinkansen, a pink and white beribboned train, into a giant robot with that cute kitty face and iconic red bow we all know and love. Hello Kitty fans, don’t miss this chance to get your hands on a very unique version of the beloved cat!

In a previous article, we introduced the Hello Kitty Shinkansen. This cute train is full of Kitty-themed details inside and out, including an exterior featuring cute pink ribbons and an image of Hello Kitty as a train conductor. Never one to be left behind on trends, Hello Kitty then took on the latest in popular Shinkansen-themed toys and cartoons, the Shinkalion series.

Shinkalion is a joint creation of the train operator JR East, anime production company Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, and toy company Takara Tomy Toys. It features colorful Shinkansen trains that transform into robots. These robots are driven by young children, who use them to fight off monsters. The popular toy series is accompanied by an animated series and movie starring the transforming trains.

Now what happens when the Shinkalion trains are joined by a familiar pink-beribboned train? Then you get this:

Shinkalion Hello Kitty joined the Shinkalion cast for a special episode. Watch the Hello Kitty Shinkansen transform and spread her special brand of cuteness and joy while she fights alongside the other robots here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qyjoKV6WIU

The Shinkalion Hello Kitty transformer starts out as a 4-car Shinkansen model train that can be used on Plarail tracks. Plarail is a series of model train toys made by Takara Tomy that are very popular with Japanese kids.

From here, the Hello Kitty Shinkansen can transform into Shinkalion Mode, where the 4 cars are transformed and joined together to form a Shinkalion robot.

But we’re not done yet! There is one more transformation, Hello Kitty mode. Put the Hello Kitty mask on the robot’s head and the red ribbon stick in its hand to transform into a more familiar version of Hello Kitty, with a wand she uses to bring happiness to everyone.

The set also includes a pair of Hello Kitty ears to put on your other Shinkalion robots. Share a little of that Hello Kitty magic and charm with this headgear!

Pick up this unique toy and enjoy a side of Hello Kitty that you’ve never seen before!

Product Information
Product Name: Plarail Deluxe Shinkalion Series “Shikalion Hello Kitty”
Planned price: 8,000 yen (not including tax)
Available from: March 2020
Size: Width approx. 25.5 mm x Height approx. 20.5 mm x Thickness approx. 14 mm (as a robot)
For ages 3 and up.
Set contents: Shinklion Hello Kitty (4 cars) x 1, Shingo spear x 1, Ribbon x 1, Hello Kitty Mask x 1, Headgear (Shinkalion Hello Kitty) x 1, Cross attachment x 1, Instruction manual x 1, Label x 1
Available at: Toy stores throughout Japan, general merchandise and bulk toy stores, Plarail specialty stores (Plarail Shop), online stores, Takara Tomy official site Takara Tomy Mall (https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/), some Sanrio stores, etc.

Source: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/press/release/202001286129