New kendama featuring Hello Kitty makes the traditional Japanese game super cute

If you’ve been waiting, now is the perfect time to take up the traditional children’s game.

As the game grows in popularity overseas, kendama is also getting a bit of extra attention in Japan, it seems. From an updated, high-tech version to impressive videos of kendama masters having fun, it looks like the game might be developing some real mainstream appeal. And with Sanrio now releasing some ultra-cute kendama sets, we’re pretty sure it’s popularity will only grow more.

Kendama has been around for generations, so there’s no questioning its staying power, but we also think it’s fair to say the game isn’t quite as popular as, say, Candy Crush these days. But a Hello Kitty version of kendama seems like the perfect way to get some new people to play the game. And the toys, produced by Sanrio and available on their online store for 2,268 yen, even bear the Japan Kendama Association’s specially recommended product mark, so if you’re looking to get started, this is, officially, one of the best you can buy.

There are six to choose from, all featuring some of Sanrio’s most popular characters. Of course, the first, and our favorite, is Hello Kitty.

There are also two versions of everyone’s favorite lazy egg, Gudetama. First is the normal version, which has the character sitting in half an egg shell, looking as if it just settled into a nice hot bath.

Then we have a golden version of Gudetama. And for a old-school, child-friendly version, we also have one of the cutest frogs in Japan, Kero Kero Keroppi.

There’s also a Pom Pom Purin kendama toy in case your favorite animal is the adorably illustrated dog. And, finally, there’s a My Melody version. Interestingly enough, it’s not listed on Sanrio’s website — but you can find it on Amazon Japan.

If you live outside the country, don’t worry. You can also find all of these kendama sets on Amazon USA, where they’re a bit more expensive than in Japan at $31.99 each. However, it looks like they have free shipping, so it’s probably about the same when you factor in paying to send them overseas.

Sources: Japaaan, Sanrio Online shop

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