Latest news with #Kuromi
Economist
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economist
Hello Kitty's owner is purring contentedly
A show called 'Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures' might be expected to feature the world-famous cat more prominently than one of her lesser-known companions. In fact in its most-watched episode, 'Kuromi's Bad Day', Hello Kitty plays a supporting role, cheering up grumpy Kuromi, a rabbit dressed in hot pink, with milk and a doughnut. Nor is this an isolated relegation. In an annual poll of fans' favourite characters, Hello Kitty has won only once in the past decade.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'My Melody & Kuromi' ranks near top on Netflix after global debut from Wit studio
Wit Studio, known for popular anime titles such as Spy x Family and Attack on Titan, has released a new stop-motion animated series titled My Melody & Kuromi in collaboration with Sanrio. The show premiered on Netflix on July 24 and has quickly become one of the most-watched programmes on the platform. According to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol, My Melody & Kuromi currently holds the number two spot on Netflix's global TV chart, just behind Untamed. The series is produced by Toruku Studio, a division of Wit Studio focused on stop-motion animation since 2020. The story follows Sanrio characters My Melody and Kuromi as they operate rival sweet shops in Mariland and prepare for a sweets-making contest judged by the renowned pastry chef Pistachio. The 12-episode series has a total runtime of just under 160 minutes, making it suitable for single-session viewing. My Melody & Kuromi features a theme song titled 'Kawaii' by K-pop group Le Sserafim. The track was produced by Gen Hoshino, previously known for music in Spy x Family and its feature film Code: White. Netflix's recent success with animated titles includes Dan Da Dan and KPop Demon Hunters, both of which have achieved top 10 rankings. With My Melody & Kuromi now joining the ranks, Netflix's position in the animated content market is strengthening. All My Melody & Kuromi episodes are currently available for streaming.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Fun With Kids: My Melody & Kuromi on Netflix, Club Rainbow's fund-raiser, Little Red Riding Hood play
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Netflix's new stop-motion animation series celebrates My Melody's (right) 50th anniversary and Kuromi's (left) 20th. SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities. My Melody & Kuromi animation series Now available on Netflix, stop-motion animation series My Melody & Kuromi is for fans of the popular Sanrio rabbit characters. In the heart of Mariland stands My Melody's cake shop, which draws a steady stream of customers every day. The popularity fuels Kuromi's competitive drive as her own Japanese sweets shop across the river is always empty. One day, My Melody finds a pink heart which triggers a series of strange events, threatening to endanger Mariland. As the two rabbits team up to protect their home town and friends, it leads Kuromi to realise that her biggest rival is also her best friend. The Japanese series, which comes with subtitles in various languages including English, was created to celebrate My Melody's 50th anniversary and Kuromi's 20th. It comprises 12 episodes, each about 13 minutes. K-pop girl group Le Sserafim provide the English theme song Kawaii (Prod. Gen Hoshino), which reflects the show's message about believing in oneself and being brave. Ride, run, walk or climb for charity Participants from a previous Climb For Rainbows vertical challenge. The charity event is set to return after nine years. PHOTO: CLUB RAINBOW (SINGAPORE) Climb For Rainbows, a vertical challenge for charity, will return on Sept 20 after a nine-year hiatus. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road South closed for repairs after car fell into sinkhole Asia Trump says Thailand and Cambodia agree to hold immediate ceasefire talks Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Singapore HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposal bins at 23 CCs World Israel resumes airdrop aid to Gaza, military says World Turkey marks 50.5 deg C heat record in south-east Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes Opinion Metallurgy degree for IT job in Singapore? Why not, says Tata Consultancy's growth markets chief All proceeds will go to non-profit Club Rainbow (Singapore)'s programmes for children with chronic illnesses, many of whom have special needs and disabilities. Choose between two non-competitive challenges at the Guoco Midtown building in Beach Road: The Resilience Summit (31 storeys) and The Rising Tide (seven storeys). While there is no upfront registration fee, you must pledge to rally donations of at least $266 when you take part with your family. Up to four members are allowed. Or sign up as an individual participant and aim to raise a minimum of $133. Another fund-raiser organised by Club Rainbow (Singapore) is Ride & Ralk For Rainbows, an annual event since 2012. It features virtual categories for a 60km ride or a 10km 'ralk' (run or walk), allowing you to complete the distance at your own pace and location. The fund-raising goals for each participant are $633 for the 60km ride category and $133 for the 10km ralk. 'Every mile covered, every step climbed and every effort made to raise funds or contribute in any way bring us closer to building an inclusive society – one where no one is left behind,' says Club Rainbow (Singapore)'s executive director Teo Siang Loong. Registration for all categories closes on Aug 6. Find out more at Little Red Riding Hood by Lyngo Theatre Britain-based children's theatre company Lyngo Theatre offers a whimsical retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. PHOTO: LYNGO THEATRE Catch a whimsical reimagining of the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale at the Drama Centre Black Box until Aug 3. Strange things are happening in the wild woods – animals are vanishing mysteriously and something unseen is lurking. Meanwhile, a little girl has just received a beautiful red cloak from her granny. This 50-minute production by Lyngo Theatre, a Britain-based children's theatre company, is recommended for families with kids aged four to eight. Watch two actors take on different roles, transporting young audiences to magical worlds. 'Unlike a traditional retelling of the fairy tale, this show features a display of gorgeous garments, catchy songs and hilarious puppets that bring the narrative to life in a whimsical way,' says a spokesperson for Singapore's Act 3 International, the performance's presenter.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Discreet charm of Sanrio's Hello Kitty unleashes the power of cute
The Don Don Donki store in Causeway Bay is buzzing as always, and the Kuromi shelf is already picked clean. Joyce C stares at the empty space and sighs. Around her, shoppers scoop up other Sanrio items: Hello Kitty erasers, My Melody hair clips, Cinnamoroll stickers. Advertisement 'Whenever I go to Donki to buy Kuromi merch, it's always sold out,' she says, half-exasperated, half-amused. The 22-year-old has been steadily building her Kuromi collection since she started working, but her attachment to the mischievous bunny in a black jester hat goes back to her childhood. As someone who grew up in early noughties Hong Kong, I understand the appeal. It was near impossible to ignore the many mascots stamped onto stationery and lunchboxes. As an adult, I still plaster Kuromi and Cinnamoroll stickers on everything I own. I'm far from alone. At Sanrio Fes 2025, in Yokohama, Japan, the company announced this year's Character Ranking, where Pompompurin claimed first place. Photo: Sanrio Before Labubu, Sonny Angel and Crybaby ignited the collectible figurine frenzy, there was Sanrio, a Japanese company whose mascots brought kawaii culture into the global mainstream. For many, Hello Kitty was the first character they collected or passed on to the next generation. In June, at Sanrio Fes, in Yokohama, Japan, the company announced this year's Character Ranking that drew a record 63 million ballots, with Pompompurin edging out Cinnamoroll, and Pochacco, Kuromi and Hello Kitty rounding out the global top five. The ranking isn't only a leaderboard; it shows Sanrio fandom is still strong even as competitors such as Pop Mart churn out blind boxes at speed. Joyce first saw Kuromi on television in kindergarten. 'You feel an affinity for one character and it just sticks with you for a very long time,' she says. She felt drawn to Kuromi for its edgy, punk feel – at least, as edgy as Sanrio gets. 'It's a dark aesthetic and I used to be into that. I thought that was cool.' Kuromi is the playful foil to the sweet and innocent My Melody. Photo: Jocelyn Tam On her debut in 2005, Kuromi was positioned as the playful foil to the sweet and innocent My Melody, who has evolved to symbolise an alternative, online subculture.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix's Best New Kids Show Has High Audience Scores, Is Adorable
My Melody and Kuromi Well, now that my kids are getting older, I am attempting to find them the occasional show to watch with our limited screen time rules that is not Paw Patrol. Sorry pups, I love you but…I've had enough. One new offering on Netflix is the best new kids show that the streamer has offered in a while, and you may want to check it out. It's the adorable My Melody and Kuromi, a Japanese stop-motion series. The movie is based on Sanrio characters, the company creating hundreds of 'kawaii' characters over the years including the global icon, Hello Kitty. Here, My Melody is a rabbit that was originally created in 1975 and has returned for this brand new series literally 50 years later. Man, 1975 does not feel like 50 years ago, does it? I'm getting old. Kuromi, the other rabbit, was originally conceived in 2005. Here's the synopsis of the series: 'My Melody opens a cake shop in Mariland. After encountering a magical heart in the forest, strange things start happening around her. Meanwhile, Kuromi's Japanese sweets shop across the street is always empty. Kuromi searches for the secret to My Melody's cakes. My Melody and Kuromi work hard to prepare for a sweets-making contest judged by the world-famous pastry chef Pistachio. However, no one knows that this will lead to an incident that threatens the fate of Mariland.' My Melody and Kuromi The show has debuted at #4 on Netflix's top 10 list in the US, which has been watching more and more Asian programming, usually Japanese and Korean, in recent years. While the show does not yet have any critic or audience scores in on Rotten Tomatoes, if you head over to IMDB, the show is currently clocking in at an 8.3/10, extremely high in the context of that site. For instance, my son's beloved Paw Patrol is a 6.1/10. Spidey and His Amazing Friends a 5.8/10. Peppa Pig a 6.3/10. A show that bests it? That would be the legendary Bluey, with a 9.3/10. But I mean, you're just not going to beat Bluey. My Melody and Kuromi is an easy watch, with season 1 being 12 episodes that are 11-15 minutes each for breezy viewing and holding attention spans. This is a TV-PG series, not TV-G, though I'm genuinely not sure why. The first episode has Kuromi stealing ingredients from a rival so I mean, crime? I don't know. Check it out, it's very cute and a good family series so far. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
