The Pop Insider - No. 19 - Spring 2024

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ISSUE NO. 19

IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS

6 | FROM THE EDITORS

Spring into your favorite fandoms.

8 | NERDY NEWS

New Collabs, Drops, and More for Pop Culture Fanatics

14 | SHOW ME THE GOODS A New Crop of Officially Licensed Must-Haves

42 | MERCH MAKERS

East Continental Gems delivers real-life Infinity Stones.

FEATURES

10 | STACKING A LEGACY Tetris celebrates 40 years.

24 | FANDOM DU JOUR

These cookbooks give fans a literal taste of fictional worlds.

28 | RETURNING TO

THE COLOR KINGDOM ‘80s icon Rainbow Brite is back!

48 | CUTENESS OVERLOAD

Hello Kitty wows fans with a makeover for her 50th anniversary.

POP JUNIOR | 31

32 | SHOW ME THE GOODS

The Latest Kids’ Merch for Pint-Size Fans

38 | FROM YOUNGLINGS TO JEDI MASTERS

Young Jedi Adventures ushers in the next generation of Star Wars fans.

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE POP INSIDER!

Left: Sanrio celebrates 50 years of Hello Kitty with new merch, including a collection of accessories from Loungefly.

Source: Loungefly On the cover: The Tetris Co. CEO Maya Rogers holding the new Limited Edition Slurpee x Tetris Handheld Game Device Source: The Tetris Co.

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FROM THE EDITORS

SPRING INTO YOUR FAVORITE FANDOMS New Merch That’s Ripe for the Picking

T

here are always a few guarantees that come along with the new spring season: fresh blooms, fresh allergies, and a fresh issue of The Pop Insider. We’ve got a fun-filled issue packed with your favorite brands new and old, and — of course — all the merch you’re about to obsess over.

There are plenty of birthdays to celebrate this year, and we’re focusing on the big 4-0 for one of the biggest video games out there: Tetris! Take a deep dive into the past 40 years of one of the most popular genericized brand names ever, and see why it’s no puzzle that it’s still stacking up an incredible legacy. From new movies to iconic merch featuring those beloved Tetriminos, we’ve got a round-up of what’s coming from the nostalgic brand.

But Tetris isn’t the only one with a big milestone this year. Get ready to make the world more colorful as we travel through four decades of Rainbow Brite and her friends on page 28. And we can’t forget our BFF Hello Kitty, who is celebrating half a century of cuteness this year. Turn to page 48 to see what’s in store for 2024.

Fandom cookbooks combine two of our favorite things: comfort food and comfort fictional worlds. See why officially licensed cookbooks are having a moment (and maybe find your new favorite recipe) on page 24.

Of course, we won’t leave you and your empty online shopping carts hanging! We’re serving up a jam-packed Show Me the Goods section full of brand-new merch that covers all of your favorite

characters, worlds, and more on page 14.

And you know we never leave out the kiddos! Check out our Pop Junior section on page 31 and flip through our kids-only version of the Show Me the Goods showcase to grab the latest merch for your little ones, then read all about Disney Junior’s new series Young Jedi Adventures and all the goodies coming with it on page 38.

So sit back, relax, and peruse our pollen-free, fandom-fueled spring issue. And let us know what you think on Instagram @thepopinsider! ✪

®

CEO Laurie Schacht • laurie@popinsider.com

VICE PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Jackie Breyer • jackie@popinsider.com

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Ali Mierzejewski • ali@popinsider.com Marissa Silva • marissa@popinsider.com

SENIOR EDITORS Nadia Velit • nadia@popinsider.com James Zahn • james@popinsider.com

ASSISTANT EDITORS Samantha Connell • samantha@popinsider.com Madison Patterson • madison@popinsider.com Ashley Pelletier • ashley@popinsider.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Taylor Battle • taylor@popinsider.com Kit Schroder • kit@popinsider.com

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Nicole Savas • nicole@popinsider.com

ART DIRECTOR Joe Ibraham • joe@popinsider.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Elena Sorce • elena@popinsider.com

NEWS WRITER Bug Hartsock • bug@popinsider.com

BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Bill Reese • bill@popinsider.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING ABOUT THE EDITORS: Marissa Silva and Ali Mierzejewski are editors-in-chief of The Pop Insider and The Toy Insider. They report on trends affecting the toy and pop culture industries, including the latest in TV, movies, video games, collectibles, and more. They have been featured on ABC World News Now, Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, MSNBC, Fox Business, and dozens more. Follow them on Instagram @thattoygirl and @hashtagtrendy.

James Devin • jd@popinsider.com

SENIOR SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE Stephanie Infantino • stephanie@popinsider.com

SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE Thomas Stephen Jr. • thomas@popinsider.com

SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT Luíza Peres • luiza@popinsider.com

INTERNS Kristine Kearns • Valerie Kluge

THE POP INSIDER, Spring 2024 — “THE POP INSIDER” (ISSN-2641-5496) is published quarterly by Adventure Media & Events, LLC, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 501, New York, New York, 10001. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and additional mailing offices. © 2024 Adventure Media & Events, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. Subscription rates: $25 for four issues. THE POP INSIDER is a trademark and service mark of Adventure Media & Events, LLC registered in the United States Patent & Trademark Office Postmaster: Send address changes to THE POP INSIDER, c/o Adventure Media & Events, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 501, New York, New York, 10001 or email bill@popinsider.com.

Follow us @thepopinsider #fuelyourfandom

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NERDY NEWS Get Your Pip-Boy Ready for New ‘Fallout’ Series Merch Fans of the Fallout franchise have new reasons to try to survive the apocalypse.

Based on the video game series of the same name, the freshly released Fallout TV series, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios and now streaming on Prime Video, is a critical hit.

Following Fallout’s debut, merch makers released goods you’ll want to get your hands on. Wasteland-bound fans can crack open a can of AriZona x Fallout in three flavors, available for $36 per pack on Amazon. Or they can add to their tabletop collection with Modiphius’ Fallout Series Miniature Hollywood Heroes, which includes Lucy, The Ghoul, Maximus, and CX404 for $34.99 on Amazon. All can be done in apocalyptic style while sipping from one of three Bones Coffee Co. Fallout mugs for $42 each. Additonal merch includes hoodies, posters, and cookbooks. ✪

This Lucy-themed mug is dishwasher and microwave safe. | Source: Bones Coffee Co.

Source: Mojang Studios

Mojang Studios Unveils Fresh Merchandise for Minecraft’s Anniversary Minecraft creator Mojang Studios is giving fans a lot to celebrate for the game’s 15th anniversary, especially with its licensing expansion efforts for the brand. Fans will see Minecraft-themed oral care products from Colgate, collectible candy from PEZ, coolers from Igloo Products, Go-Gurt from Yoplait, gaming chairs from Secretlab, home decor from Felt Right, and more.

Mojang Studios also partnered with Walmart on a nationwide retail launch, including an exclusive apparel line from Justice. Next year, in collaboration with Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros., and Vertigo Entertainment, Mojang Studios will release its first-ever live-action film adaptation of Minecraft on April 4. ✪

Hear ‘Secret Tunnel’ Live During ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert’ “Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert” is coming to the U.S. this fall from Sept. 7-Nov. 24, 2024, with shows in states including Florida, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, Utah, California, Arizona, and more. The concert, which lasts roughly 2.5 hours with a 20-minute intermission, will be based entirely on the 2005 animated series, and fans can expect recognizable tunes such as “Secret Tunnel” and “Leaves from the Vine,” as well as iconic instrumental pieces. Jeremy Zuckerman, who created the series’ original music, composed and arranged the music for the live show.

The tickets range from $25-274 and are available now at avatarinconcert.com. There is also an option to experience the tour in elevated style with a VIP package, which includes exclusive access and merchandise. ✪ Photo: Zdenko Hanout

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I

t’s not common that a video game can transcend the digital realm to become a true phenomenon in the physical world.

Sure, many icons have been born from pixels, but how many games — especially those devoid of a character-driven narrative — have been so distinctive and addictive that you can use their names to describe a real-world action? There may only be one, and that game is Tetris.

Stacking cereal boxes in your pantry? Tetrising them.Trying to fit a Costco haul into your trunk? Tetrising it. Shuffling your collectibles around to make room for more? It’s a game of Tetris.

Created by Russian computer engineer Alexey Pajitnov and brought to the masses by Henk Rogers, a game developer and entrepreneur who recognized its potential global appeal, Tetris is one of the most recognizable video games on the planet. And in recent years, its explosive growth has created a lifestyle brand with a dedicated fandom rooted in community.

Longevity in the Matrix Tetris is rooted in shapes comprised of four connected squares, also known as Tetriminos. In the game, players shift and stack seven distinct Tetriminos on a play area known as the Matrix to complete horizontal rows resulting in a “line clear.”

As players clear lines, the Tetriminos fall faster and the difficulty increases. As the cinematic version of Henk Rogers (played by Taron Egerton) says in the Apple Original Film Tetris, “It’s the perfect game.”

“The key to longevity for Tetris is its simplicity: Easy to play and very intuitive, it appeals to everyone,” explains Maya Rogers, Henk’s daughter and CEO at The Tetris Co. “We’re incredibly humbled that in our 40th year since the game launched, our fanbase continues to grow. It’s challenging for any brand, let alone a video game, to transcend generations, and Tetris has become part of pop culture overall.”

Cross-platform evolution drives interest from new players each year.

Just as bundling Tetris with the original Nintendo Game Boy created a frenzy during the 1989 launch, the release of Tetris 99 on Nintendo Switch — complete with regular in-game events to keep things fresh — attracts new players every day, as does the mobile version of Tetris, which boasts more than 615 million downloads since its release in 2008.

Dedicated Tetris enthusiasts compete annually in the Classic

The Tetris Co. CEO Maya Rogers | Source: The Tetris Co.

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Tetris World Championship (CTWC), a fan-based tournament that uses the 1989 version of Tetris run on vintage Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) hardware.

Last December, 13-year-old Willis “Blue Scuti” Gibson became the first known player to “beat” the game by essentially crashing its “kill screen,” a phenomenon that ends a game with no formal ending.

“The world witnessed Willis Gibson beat the game, and now players worldwide are pushing each other to do better to get a new world record,” says Eunha Kim, host of the TetrisGalTalk podcast.

Kim credits the growing Tetris fandom for being unique among gamers. “It is different from other gaming communities because regardless of the competition-based games, players are always friendly and root for each other even when they are unsuccessful.”

Evan “Wingfryer” Phou, who founded

the Tetris Interest website after discovering the 2016 CTWC Finals on YouTube, echoes that sentiment. “What makes the Tetris community special is its welcoming environment where people celebrate each other’s achievements,” he says.

Creative Collaboration As The Tetris Co. celebrates four decades of a game that came “From Russia with Fun!,” as the NES box touted in a cheeky nod to James Bond, licensing partners are in the mix to deliver musthave merchandise for Tetris fans from all walks of life.

“When we work with partners, we provide brand guidelines with elements, including the seven iconic Tetriminos synonymous with the game, but we also value partners who push the envelope,” Maya Rogers says.

Tetris first crossed over into fashion

five years ago with a 35th-anniversary collaboration with Peacebird in China.

That initial fashion collection cleared lines to make way for partnerships with New Era, PUMA, The Gap, H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, and more.

Earlier this month, Tetris partnered with 7-Eleven for a Tetris Takeover at more than 13,000 7-Eleven and Speedway locations that offered fans the chance to score exclusive merch, including T-shirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, keychains, and totes. But when it comes to “pushing the envelope,” as Maya Rogers says, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more unique piece of Tetris merch than the Limited Edition Slurpee x Tetris Handheld Game Device that My Arcade developed to mark a milestone year: It’s shaped like a Tetris-branded Slurpee cup!

The console is limited to 20,000 units in the U.S. and 10,000 in Canada.

Tetris 7-Eleven Collection Source: 7-Eleven | Photographer: Don Diaz Art Direction: Danielle Marino-Galimon | Stylist: Kandida Randall

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 11

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A Tetris x Stumble Guys collab started the year off with a bang (top) while the Supreme Tetris Mini lineup (left) and G Fuel’s Tetris Blast and Shaker Cup (right) are poised to be hot items this summer. | Source: The Tetris Co.

06061984 This year kicked off in a big way with Scopely welcoming Tetris into the world of Stumble Guys, followed by a giant game of Tetris played on the Exosphere at the Sphere in Las Vegas during CES. This month, Tetris joined forces with the American Red Cross to encourage fans to “Drop In. Give Blood. Play On.” while scoring an exclusive T-shirt.

On June 6, fans will celebrate World Tetris Day, commemorating the birth of the first version of the Tetris game that Pajitnov developed for a Soviet PC known as the Electronika 60. Tetris Effect (2018) honors the momentous occasion with a super-secret “1984” level accessed via code: 06061984. The following day, CTWC will move to its new location at the SoCal Retro Gaming Expo in Pasadena, California, where fans will compete through June 9.

As the 40th anniversary of

Tetris kicks into high gear this summer, additional unique collabs and merch drops will fall from the sky like Tetriminos.

“We don’t have characters so it allows for a bit more freedom, and we are truly interested to see how the brand can transcend its gaming roots,” Maya Rogers adds. “Ultimately, the most successful collaborations are the ones that spark the same joy you feel when you play Tetris.”

Supreme will join the party with the Supreme Tetris Mini, a transparent handheld game, following the global viral success of a playable Chicken McNugget Tetris game from McDonald’s China last year. Meanwhile, G Fuel will refresh its line of Tetris-branded products with new packaging, the return of its Tetris Blast rainbow candy-flavored powdered energy formula, and more.

Fans can also fuel their gameplay with a 24-ounce, glow-in-the-dark G Fuel x Tetris Shaker Cup, which featues a 40th anniversary design that reads “Stacking Fun Since 1984!”

New Game, Who Dis? What would a 40th-anniversary celebration be without some details on how Tetris will blaze a colorful path into the future? The Tetris Co. teamed up with an unnamed “leading game developer” to create a new, cross-platform Tetris game that the company touts as “truly special.”

With billions of Tetris games played online every year and more than 520 million copies of Tetris sold worldwide since its launch four decades ago, it’s a safe bet that fans of all ages eagerly await news on how the new game will continue to stack up! ✪ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James Zahn, best known as The Rock Father, is a senior editor of The Pop Insider and The Toy Insider and editor-in-chief of The Toy Book. Frequently called upon for expert commentary on the toy industry, he has been featured in The New York Times and Forbes, and has appeared on Yahoo! Finance, CNBC, BBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, and more.

Connect with him on LinkedIn or follow him on X and Instagram @therockfather.

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OFFICIALLY LICENSED POP-CULTURE PRODUCTS

GHOSTBUSTERS SLIMER LAMP WITH 3-WAY ILLUMINATION THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE He’s an ugly little spud, isn’t he? The insatiable Slimer will haunt your bedroom through this Ghostbusters-themed lamp, which features three spooky light settings.

MSRP: $199.99 | Available: bradfordexchange.com

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ­— KNUCKLES COLLECTOR EDITION JAKKS PACIFIC This 6-inch Knuckles figure has 13 points of articulation and features interchangeable eyes, mouths, and hands. It comes complete with a holographic Mushroom Valley Zone display base.

MSRP: $54.99 | Available: Amazon

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MANA 8 ACCESSORIES 4D BUILD RETRO BATMOBILE

ULTRA PRO INTERNATIONAL

Batman fans can embark on a vigilante adventure with this 4D creative kit that includes 202 punch-out pieces. The film-accurate model measures more than 14 inches long once complete.

This tabletop accessories collection spotlights five mana symbols and the iconic lotus across various products, including the APEX deck protector sleeves. The collection features deck boxes, PRO binders, stitched playmats, and an exclusive set of Mana 8 token dividers in a clear deck box.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Amazon, Walmart

MSRP: $4.99-29.99 Available: tcgplayer.com

SPIN MASTER

NEOPETS: THE OFFICIAL TAROT DECK: A 78-CARD DECK AND GUIDEBOOK FAERIE EDITION NEOPETS Gain insight into the past, present, and future with your favorite Neopets. The 78card deck features a Faerieland theme and includes an illustrated guidebook to help you interpret the cards.

MSRP: $22.99 Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

GEN CON FLORAL D20 TRAVEL MUG ROLLACRIT Take a sip of spring with this floral travel mug, which features a 20-sided die made out of colorful herbs and flowers that are a total vibe.

MSRP: $40 | Available: rollacrit.com

STAR WARS ARTIST SERIES BY WILL GAY DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS There’s no need to use the Force if you want these items from the Star Wars Artist Series. Each product features whimsical designs by artist Will Gay. Fans can redesign their homes and wardrobes with products ranging from dishware to apparel inspired by a galaxy far, far away.

MSRP: $29.99-99.99 | Available: Disney Store

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OPTIMUS PRIME 3-OUNCE SILVER COIN

GODZILLA MOVIE MONSTER SERIES

NEW ZEALAND MINT

BANDAI

Bring Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles with you wherever you go with this clear mini backpack. The 11-inch bag features see-through pink PVC with screen-printed graphics of The Powerpuff Girls.

Part of the 40th-anniversary celebration of Transformers, this coin has an imprint of Optimus Prime on one side and the Public Seal of Niue on the other. It features special-edition packaging and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Re-create your favorite Godzilla battle scenes with these collectible kaiju. These 6-inch-scale figures are based on decades of monster movie history, including the 1954 version (pictured).

MSRP: $49.99 | Available: mass retailers

MSRP: $299 | Available: nzmint.com

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS CLEAR MINI BACKPACK BIOWORLD

MSRP: $19.99-30 Available: Amazon, godzilla.com

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS PHUNNY PLUSH TRIO KIDROBOT A trio of squishable, frilly-eared dragons have arrived! In this set, find a blue dragon, a devilish pit fiend, and a mind flayer out for world domination. Each plush is about 7.5 inches tall.

MSRP: $49.99 | Available: KidRobot

STRANGER THINGS COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOX SET THEORY11 Uncover premium playing cards based on Netflix’s Stranger Things. Housed in a premium VHS-style box, the set includes a blue holographic Upside Down Special Edition deck, along with two additional decks complete with detailed embossing, holographic silver foil, and more.

MSRP: $49.95 | Available: Amazon, netflix.shop, store.theory11.com

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SPIDER-MAN TOWER SERIES

ASTON MARTIN DB5 JAMES BOND 007 GOLDFINGER

REBEL MOON GALLERY DIORAMA NEMESIS PVC STATUE

YUME

CARRERA-REVELL

DIAMOND SELECT TOYS

Spider-Man surprise toys are swinging into your collection! Open each box to reveal one of seven Spidey figures, including the Iron Spider, Spider-Ham, and other cute and campy versions of the hero.

Build the spy car of your dreams with this 122-piece, scale-model kit of James Bond’s gadget-filled Aston Martin DB5, as seen in Goldfinger. Re-create your favorite scenes with film-accurate details like machine guns, battering rams, and tire slashers.

Face off against the Imperium with this 9-inch Nemesis statue, which depicts the character standing with one foot up on a suitcase and her red-hot swords in her prosthetic hands.

MSRP: $14.99 each Available: Amazon, yumetoys.com

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: mass retailers

MSRP: $24.99 Available: Walmart, shop.asmodee.com

FISHER-PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE COLLECTOR ­— HARRY POTTER MATTEL

BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES GOTHAM CITY THE LEGO GROUP This buildable DC Batman cityscape features removable panels that reveal the inside of Wayne Manor, the Batcave, and more. It comes with 4,210 pieces and four minifigures: Batman, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman.

MSRP: $299.99 | Available: LEGO

Getting these Little People figures is almost as good as getting your Hogwarts letter.

Each set features figures inspired by characters from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone or Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Enjoy Dumbledore, Tom Riddle, and more in Little People styling.

MSRP: $24.99 each Available: Mattel Creations

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G.I. JOE BATTLE FOR THE ARCTIC CIRCLE POWERED BY AXIS & ALLIES RENEGADE GAME STUDIOS Players can prepare for a fight, hone their strategy, and work to gain control of the Arctic. The game features three different scenarios and comes with dice, tokens, and more BRIDGERTON THE HIGH than 100 figures, including 20 G.I. Joe troopers.

SOCIETY GAME

PRODUCT NAME HERE

MSRP: $60 | Available: renegadegamestudios.com ASMODEE

Win this game and be the talk of the ton.

Players must avoid scandal while they attend balls, dance with eligible gentlemen.

Win this game and be the talk of the ton.

Players must avoid scandal while they attend balls, dance with eligible gentlemen, and try to find their best match based on prestige, desirability, and love.

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: Walmart, shop. asmodee.com

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: Walmart, shop. asmodee.com

3.75-INCH FIGURES

HARRY POTTER BIRTHDAY CAKE PUFFLUMS

ASMODEE

SUPER IMPULSE

FIGUREKEY ONE PIECE LUFFY 4.5-INCH PLUSH FIGURE GREAT EASTERN ENTERTAINMENT This figure brings the Straw Hat Pirates to your plush collection. With a molded PVC head, this poseable Luffy figure features lots of character details.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Amazon, Entertainment Earth, geemerch.com

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ACERERAK’S TREASURE: CRYSTAL EDITION SIRIUS DICE

Collect palm-size figures of Jay and Silent Bob (pictured), Beavis and Butt Head, and characters from South Park. Each figure features three points of articulation points and comes with a base and a diorama card.

THE NOBLE COLLECTION Hagrid squished Harry’s first birthday cake, and so can you! This Pufflums cake is easily squishable and twistable for stress relief from a long day of witchcraft and wizardry.

Let the good times roll. Each pack includes a random set of dice, a metal activity coin, and a dice bag. There are more than 60 new dice sets in 10 different colors and 25 new coins to collect.

MSRP: $9.99 each Available: Amazon, superimpulse.com

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Amazon, noblecollection.com

MSRP: $19.99 each Available: Amazon (June 19)

BRIDGERTON THE HIGH SOCIETY GAME ASMODEE Win this game and be the talk of the ton.

Players must avoid scandal while they FALLOUT SERIES PIP-BOY attend balls, dance with eligibleDIE-CAST gentlemen,REPLICA THE WAND CO. and try to find their best match based on As seen in the TV series prestige, desirability, andFallout, love. this scale replica of a Pip-Boy will have you ready for adventure in the apocalypse! It features a functioning TFT LCD screen with animations and a clock.

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: Walmart, shop.

MSRP: $199 | Available: gear.bethesda.net (preorder now, shipping February 2025) asmodee.com

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON OFFICIAL COLORING BOOK PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE Step back into Westeros with this coloring book that features more than 75 illustrations of your favorite scenes, characters, and show logos from the series House of the Dragon.

MSRP: $18.99 | Available: mass retailers

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I

n the words of Ratatouille’s Chef Auguste Gusteau, “Anyone can cook.”

And with an abundance of officially licensed cookbooks available, anyone can indulge in their favorite fandoms, too.

“Fans love any extension of their fandom,” says Kat Sarfas, category manager for cookbooks at Barnes & Noble.

“That’s why we love books that are made into movies or games, and why we might display figurines of our favorite characters or wear a shirt showcasing our favorite show. Fans are always looking to live just five more minutes in their favorite world.”

A SPOONFUL OF LOVE For those who already have a closet full of themed apparel and accessories, a collection of the latest Funko Pop! figures, and an assortment of action figures, cookbooks are a natural next step into your favorite world. Fandom cookbooks help transport fans to their fictional comfort places, like the Hogwarts dining hall, a dinner party at the Beast’s castle hosted

by Lumiere, or even the Dutton Ranch dinner table. The books even feature exclusive content with subtle notes just for loyal fans.

While the actual recipes are indeed the star of the show, these books’ pages are brimming with details that are more about offering a full sensory experience — not just tasty food. “It’s a whole different way [for fans] to embrace their favorite entertainment, even if they can’t cook,” says Paul Ruditis, executive editor, lifestyle and children’s publishing at Insight Editions, which publishes licensed cookbooks inspired by everything from Harry Potter to Happy Days and more.

“The recipes themselves are wonderful, but the detail that goes into the selection of the food, the naming of the dish, and the flavor text that explains why the food is connected to the show makes the entire book an experience for the reader, even if they never attempt a recipe.”

Ruditis explains that the entire team working on the books, from the authors to the food stylists and everyone in between, is committed to connecting with the source material and intimately learning its universe in order to be able to fully express it through a dining experi-

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE $35 | Available: mass retailers

ence, whether that is a meal, a snack, or a drink. The result? Cookbooks infused with everything that we love about a show or fandom — not only in the recipes themselves, but also in the book’s text, photography, and illustrations that surround the recipes. “​​We are just as excited about these shows and movies as the fans are. We’re fans ourselves,” Ruditis says. “If we’re doing our jobs right, everything in these books should make the fans feel like they are experiencing their favorite entertainment in real life. They get to feel it, smell it, taste it. It’s not just a meal, it’s an entire sensory experience connecting them with something they love.”

“They get to feel it, smell it, taste it. It’s not just a meal, it’s an entire sensory experience connecting them with something they love.”

- Paul Ruditis, Insight Editions

A SPRINKLE OF GROWTH Sarfas notes that Barnes & Noble has seen steady growth with licensed cookbooks in recent years. People are more open about their fandoms and seek to

SCHOLASTIC $19.99 | Available: mass retailers

show them off through merch, and publishing is now meeting those demands.

And the proof is in the pudding: A lot of these books land on best-seller lists at book retailers and publications like The New York Times.

While the pandemic may not have contributed directly to the increase of general cookbook sales, it certainly did provide a boost for pop culture-inspired cookbooks. Remember when we were stuck at home binge-watching Netflix shows (new and old) and baking banana bread? Fandoms were a great way for people to connect during tough times when all we had were movies, TV shows, and games. And all of those entertainment properties gained traction on social media, helping guide publishers in deciding which cookbooks to focus on next.

A DOLLOP OF CREATIVITY Inspiration can come from anywhere, and each cookbook offers a unique experience for the reader. Some of them are written from an in-universe perspective as if you’re reading a cookbook that exists in the fiction of the show, fully immersing you in that world. For example, you can swing into Insight Editions’ recently released Spider-Man: The Official Cookbook, which showcases recipes for dishes from New York City alongside ones inspired by the Spider-Verse.

Other cookbooks allow us to explore our own world, like Insight Editions’ new Encanto: The Official Cookbook, which focuses on real-life Colombian cuisine, THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 25

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INSIGHT EDITIONS $27.99 | Available: mass retailers

DISNEY EDITIONS $19.99 | Available: mass retailers

or Disney: Cooking with Magic, which highlights the long history of the studio and includes recipes with titles inspired by a century of Disney films, including Best Gumbo You’ve Ever Tasted (The Princess and the Frog), Soup du Jour (Beauty and the Beast), Very Tall Buttercream Birthday Cake (Sleeping Beauty), and more.

These cookbooks pair well with gamers, too. Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role from Penguin Random House features recipes for delicacies from Exandria, accompanied by the histories of each land and iconic culinary tales from Vox Machina, the Mighty Nein, Bells Hells, and more.

Scholastic released The Official Five Nights at Freddy’s Cookbook in October to coincide with the theatrical release of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The book features fan-favorite characters and recipes inspired by the video games, including Freddy Fazbear’s Pepperoni X-Press and Chica’s Ultimate Thai Chicken Burger.

Insight Editions’ Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook includes dishes from the show with even more of a personal touch: Chef Gabriel Guilbeau, who just so happens to be the actor who plays Gator in the show, wrote it. “There’s a slice of Americana to Yellowstone that connects with the cookbook buyer,” Ruditis says. “To have the book written by the actual chef, who started out behind-the-scenes on the show and then became a beloved character on the show itself — that’s the kind of lightning-in-a-bottle that’s fairly impossible to replicate.”

Just like in some of our favorite fantasy worlds, the possibilities are endless, and publishers aim to make sure there’s something for everyone.

A PINCH OF SKILL

INSIGHT EDITIONS $29.99 | Available: mass retailers

Whether you’re a skilled home chef or not, publishers insist these cookbooks are for you. “For most people, cooking is already an act of love. It makes sense that you would want to blend that experience with the films, TV, games, and comics that also bring you joy,” Sarfas says. “And even if you never host that Game of Thrones feast, it’s fun to imagine

ULYSSES PRESS $29.95 | Available: mass retailers

what it would be like if you did!”

Generally, licensed cookbooks offer recipes for every skill level so anyone can join in on the fun. There are practical dishes made to be accessible to both casual and loyal fans, as well as more advanced recipes available for those who want to host an extravagant, themed dinner party.

Ulysses Press’ licensed cookbooks draw inspiration from board games, which make them a natural fit for game night entertaining. Catan: The Official Cookbook is the perfect way to add authentic food and beverage to your next game night. The book includes breakfasts, lunches, snacks, main course showstoppers, drinks, and more, as well as vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free options for you to satiate that appetite you built up along with your settlements.

Beyond the food, the book also features iconic game artwork and facts from the world of Catan.

“Die hard fans will certainly appreciate some of the deep-cut references scattered throughout the books, but in general all the recipes and the references can be used for fans and chefs of all experience levels,” says Casie Vogel, vice president publisher at Ulysses Press.

Likewise, the publisher’s new-for-2024

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Ticket to Ride: The Official Cookbook offers dining car menus inspired by destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada, taking fans on a cross-country journey the same way the game does. Readers can enjoy New York’s famous pizza paired with San Francisco’s iconic mai tai, or New Orleans’ shrimp po’ boy followed by Little Rock’s decadent possum pie.

Ghostbusters: The Official Cookbook from Insight Editions features recipes from Jenn Fujikawa (@justjennrecipes), a content creator who regularly shares her own original recipes with her followers through her website and social channels.

Her recipes for the book are inspired by the franchise’s films, such as a mushroom dish thanks to Dr. Egon Spengler saying, “I collect spores, molds, and fungus,” or an extra-large Twinkie inspired by Winston Zeddemore’s iconic line, “That’s a big Twinkie.”

“Everyone flips open fandom-based books hoping to find something dedicated to their favorite character or scene,” Fujikawa says. “By filling the cookbook with familiar references, it makes fans feel comfortable and allows them to try out recipes they may not be interested in otherwise.” All of the recipes in the book have a difficulty scale, so you know what you’re getting into before you even start. “But again, if you love a particular character and just really want to make that recipe — no matter your skill level, I say go for it!”

A DASH OF COMMUNITY Another part of the fandom cooking experience is connecting with other fans.

After all, food is meant to be shared and is often the centerpiece of social gatherings. Ghostbusters: The Official Cook-

book spans 40 years of ghostbusting, from the 1984 original movie to Ghostbusters: Afterlife. “Afterlife is filled with fun new characters and storytelling for a whole new generation,” Fujikawa says.

“My hope was that the cookbook would tie that vast fandom together. Ghostbusters now reaches different generations and hopefully families will cook together while rewatching the movies.”

With today’s inclination toward streaming over appointment TV, people don’t necessarily watch the same shows at the same time with the opportunity to discuss them the next day. These licensed cookbooks are a new way for friends and families to get together to share in their appreciation for fandoms in a less immediate — but still very meaningful — way.

“There was a time when the 8 p.m. hour of television was the family hour, when the entire family would gather around the TV to watch their favorite shows together. I like to think we’re re-creating that classic family hour with our cookbooks,” Ruditis says.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to have fun — whether you have your own cooking style, want to add your own twist to the recipes, or you’re looking to try new ingredients.

“Cooking should be fun and not stressful,” Fujikawa says. “If people want to change it up they can. Or even if it’s out of necessity. I’ve run out of ingredients before and had to improvise, and sometimes it turns out even better.”

Whether you’re looking to whisk up some magic with friends or mix up some potions for yourself, your favorite places are just around the corner — all you have to do is turn the page. ✪

EXPLORERS ON HORSEBACK CATAN: THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK INGREDIENTS - 16 MARCONA ALMONDS OR 16 SMOKED ALMONDS - 2 OUNCES MANCHEGO CHEESE, CUT INTO SMALL PIECES - 16 MEDJOOL DATES, PITTED - 8 SLICES PROSCIUTTO, HALVED LENGTHWISE, OR 16 STRIPS OF THIN-CUT BACON INSTRUCTIONS 1. PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 400 F. 2. PLACE ONE ALMOND AND ONE SMALL PIECE OF CHEESE INTO THE CENTER OF EACH DATE (IN PLACE OF THE PIT). PINCH TO RESEAL. 3. WRAP EACH DATE WITH A PIECE OF PROSCIUTTO OR BACON AND PLACE SEAM-SIDE DOWN ON A RIMMED BAKING SHEET. 4. BAKE FOR 10-12 MINUTES FOR PROSCIUTTO, OR UNTIL THE PROSCIUTTO IS GENTLY BROWNED. BAKE FOR 12-15 MINUTES FOR BACON, OR UNTIL IT IS CRISP.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nadia Velit is a senior editor at Adventure Media & Events where she writes for The Toy Book, The Toy Insider, and The Pop Insider. She loves to be outside with her chickens and is always ready for a game of giant Jenga. In her free time you can find her curled up with a Sandra Brown mystery novel or obsessing over The New York Times Spelling Bee, although truthfully, she would rather be at Hogwarts.

EXQUISITE EXANDRIA: THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK OF CRITICAL ROLE PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE $29.99 | Available: mass retailers

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he year is 1984. Kids gather around their TV screens to meet Wisp, a young girl who is tasked with saving Rainbowland by returning color to the world. When Wisp saves the day, she transforms into Rainbow Brite and continues to watch over the land with her new friends, the Color Kids. Forty years later, Rainbow Brite and her friends continue to leave a rainbow-shaped mark on ‘80s kids’ hearts.

“It feels amazing to be part of something that has had such staying power,” says Stacey Howe, vice president of global licensing and business development at Hallmark, the company behind the Rainbow Brite brand. “The fact that Rainbow Brite’s legacy has continued to live on proves how timeless the brand is and how its central themes of courage, kindness, and optimism still resonate with audiences.”

SHOP THE RAINBOW For the big anniversary, Hallmark partnered with multiple merch makers to bring us the technicolor products of our dreams, including collaborations with Loungefly, Mad Engine, Goodie Two Sleeves, Jay Franco, PSD Underwear, FUN.com, and TLS Toy. 28 | Issue No. 19 | THE POP INSIDER

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Last fall, TLS Toy launched a collection of dolls and collectibles featuring some of fans’ favorite characters, including plush versions of Starlite and Twink; classic dolls complete with yarn-like hair; and fashion dolls with 29 points of articulation, mystery accessories, and adorable outfits.

“We have the multicolored megaphone turned up, ready to shout to the mountain tops,” says Jonathan Cathey, TLS Toy’s CEO, in an interview with The Pop Insider’s sister publication, The Toy Book.

However, this collection isn’t the only thing TLS Toy has up its sleeve for the Rainbow Brite anniversary. The company also has some upcoming surprises for Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) in July and will launch an interactive Rainbow Brite doll for the holiday season.

When it comes to apparel, whether Valerie Bizzarro (@colorvally) collects new and vintage Rainbow Brite toys, including this plush you’re looking for a new staple in your Starlite. | Source: Valerie Bizzarro colorful closet or a fun accessory for an ‘80s party, there are plenty of Rainbow Brite options out there.

Loungefly launched a massive collection of Rainbow Brite accessories, complete with two mini backpacks, a crossbody bag, a zip-around wallet, a card holder, and stationery journals that are all perfect for a rainbow girlie on the go. FUN.com also has kitschy-cute accessories that are the ultimate choice to wear to your next retro outing, including Rainbow Brite costumes for kids, adults, and dogs; a Rainbow Brite ugly Christmas sweater; and some Sprite slippers.

“When you think about ‘80s cartoons, Rainbow Brite is right up there with other favorites like My Little Pony and Care Bears,” says Angela Poch, inbound marketing specialist at FUN.com. “It’s so iconically ’80s that we had to bring it back! Eighties nostalgia is also at an all-time high between Stranger Things and Ghostbusters, not to mention other TV series and movies with hefty ‘80s vibes.”

Hot Topic is also a hub for Rainbow Brite merch, with T-shirts, accessories, and home goods from Goodie Two Sleeves and Mad Engine.

“I think just the color and the bright and the happiness of it all is really what everybody gravitates toward,” says

Left: Rainbow Brite 12-inch doll | Source: TLS Toy Center: Classic Rainbow Brite Ugly Christmas Sweater | Source: FUN.com Right: Rainbow Brite animated series | Source: Hallmark

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Jessica Jordan, vice president of licensing at Mad Engine. “The team really has a lot of fun with all the different colors and articles, too. We have all of the accessories and apparel under the sun, so there are no limits on it. I feel like the creative team can just really spread their wings and develop [the brand] into so much stuff.”

A BRITE FANBASE As those kids who gathered around the TV in 1984 have grown up, an online community dedicated to Rainbow Brite has cropped up.

Katy Haile launched rainbowbrite.net in 1997.

Fresh out of high school at the time, Haile noticed that other popular brands had websites, but Rainbow Brite didn’t.

“Back when I made the website, there was no such thing as social media,” Haile says. “I taught myself how to make websites. I got a few [Rainbow Brite] images scanned, but it was super fun. I’ve always loved computers, so I learned it really fast …

We couldn’t really share video quite yet, but I put up pictures, audio, lyrics to songs —whatever I could think of to put up.

The way we communicated early on was by email. We had an email list where you could send an email to this one address, and it’d go to everybody who subscribed to the list. So that’s how the fandom really started growing.”

Almost three decades later, Haile still updates her site with new Rainbow Brite product launches and videos.

“I love seeing everyone commenting on [a new product] and how they’re so excited and they can’t wait to go buy it,” Haile says. “Friendships get made that way. People want to help each other out finding products and just sharing their general excitement.”

Haile currently lives in Switzerland, so a lot of the merch that’s available in the U.S. is hard to find where she resides.

Next time she comes to the U.S., she plans to pick up TLS Toy’s collection of Rainbow Brite dolls.

Valerie Bizzarro, also known as @colorvally on Instagram, grew up watching reruns of Rainbow Brite on VHS tapes and playing with her Starlite horse plush.

Loungefly's Rainbow Brite collection is jam-packed with color, especially the Rainbow Brite Cosplay Mini Backpack. | Source: Loungefly

Even as a big kid, the themes of the brand still resonate in her life.

“I love all the hope and positivity that is associated with the brand, especially just how colorful and bright everything is, because Rainbow Brite is all about bringing joy and happiness to the world through color and friendship and positivity and all those things,” she says.

Bizzarro mainly collects toys from the My Little Pony and Care Bears franchises, but the Rainbow Brite aesthetic fits right in with her collection. Some of her

favorite launches from the Rainbow Brite anniversary include TLS Toy’s dolls and Loungefly’s accessory collection, which launched in March.

“They bring me back to childhood,” Bizzarro says. “There’s so much sadness and darkness in the world sometimes that you just need that happiness and that positivity. Surrounding myself with those very colorful, very cheerful things just reminds me of how beautiful every day should be.”

MAKING THE WORLD MORE COLORFUL Shopping for new merch and reminiscing on your childhood might not be enough Rainbow Brite nostalgia for you. If not, Hallmark recently dropped the first season of the animated series on YouTube, so you can relive sitting too close to the TV while watching or introduce your friends to the color magic.

“It’s inspiring to see the reaction from fans as we roll out celebration initiatives,” Howe says. “We’ve seen a positive reaction on social media with fans expressing how excited they are [that] Rainbow Brite is back and sharing memories from when they were first introduced to her. Hearing first-hand the impact the brand has had on the lives of so many just spurs our mission to make the world more colorful.” ✪ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ashley Pelletier is an assistant editor for The Toy Insider, The Pop Insider, and The Toy Book with a master’s from Quinnipiac University. When she isn’t writing her latest story, she is reading a novel or rewatching one of her three favorite TV shows over and over again.

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FRESH FINDS FOR LITTLE FANS

THE CRAFTER’S KITCHEN: AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS AND THEIR FAMILIES RANDOM HOUSE WORLDS Kids and beginner chefs can follow a Minecraft chef, Gourmand, through 60 recipes. Each chapter features a different biome of the Minecraft world and information about environmental issues facing similar areas in our world.

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: mass retailers

STUMBLE GUYS COLLECTIBLE FIGURES 1-PACK IN BLIND BOX

ALDI CART

PMI KIDS’ WORLD

JAKKS PACIFIC

Inspired by the multiplayer video game Stumble Guys, these toys are a knockout! Inside each pack, fans will find one of 24 random figures based on the game’s roster of characters. Open up the packging to reveal an obstacle course for the figure to follow.

Pass on your love of Aldi to the next generation! Modeled after the cart found in stores, this kid-size shopping cart features a child seat for a 14-inch baby doll and a coin slot with a pretend coin. Parents will love that it’s durable and super-easy to clean.

MSRP: $2.99 each | Available: Walmart

MSRP: $14.99 | Available: Aldi (in-stores only)

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LEGO HARRY POTTER FLYING FORD ANGLIA THE LEGO GROUP With this 165-piece building set, kids can reenact Ron and Harry’s wild ride to Hogwarts. It comes with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hedwig, and Scabbers figures, as well as accessories that fit inside the trunk.

MSRP: $14.99 Available: Amazon, LEGO, Target

HELLO KITTY AND FRIENDS KUROMI 12-INCH PINK MONOCHROME PLUSH JAZWARES Kuromi got a new pink makeover! The 12-inch plush features a monochrome, kawaii-inspired design, complete with a jester’s hat and collar with lace details, glittery stitching, and more. The Monochrome collection also includes Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Amazon

SESAME STREET TODDLER QUILT BROOKLINEN B is for “Brooklinen”! This soft, airy, 100% cotton blanket features iconic Sesame Street characters in muted colors. Toss this on your little one’s bed for an extra cozy layer.

MSRP: $129 | Available: brooklinen.com

AMERICAN GIRL X NFL FAN GEAR CHEERLEADER UNIFORM SETS MATTEL Go team! These cheerleader uniform sets each include a V-neck dress, a glitter hair bow, pom-poms, white sneakers, cotton socks, and briefs. Choose from Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and New York Jets styles. The NFL collection also features fan outfit and accessory sets ($34) and fan tees ($40).

MSRP: $40 each | Available: American Girl

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MARVEL CAPTAIN AMERICA: TIME TO FLY! PI KIDS

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST MINI BACKPACK VERA BRADLEY

DISNEY MICKEY SKETCH LOVEY

Captain America and Falcon are superhero besties, but can they work together to save the day? Kids can press seven buttons as they read to activate sound effects and enhance their reading comprehension.

MILKSNOB

MSRP: $14.99 | Available: mass retailers

MSRP: $15.99 | Available: milksnob.com

Oh boy! You can attach this mini security blanket to a pacifier, a teether, or other toys.

Designed to comfort babies, it’s machine washable, super soft, and breathable.

In a tale as old as time, two classics — Beauty and the Beast and Vera Bradley — team up for this quilted-cotton backpack featuring Belle on the outside and an allover print with additional characters on the inside.

MSRP: $115 Available: Disney Store, Vera Bradley

PEANUTS SNOOPY SURF BEDDING COLLECTION POTTERY BARN KIDS

HEROES OF GOO JIT ZU — TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES MOOSE TOYS The Heroes of Goo Jit Zu versions of your favorite pizza-loving turtle brothers are 4-inch figures that can stretch up to three times their size, then go right back. Collect these totally tubular turtles in Team Up Packs with two turtles, or go full cowabunga with the Ultimate Team Pack, which has all four turtles with different colored goo mutations when you squeeze them.

Surf’s up! Your favorite Peanuts dog hits the waves in this new bedding collection, which includes everything from 100% cotton quilts and shams to sheets and throw pillows. Everything is machine washable.

MSRP: $42.50-324 Available: Pottery Barn Kids

MSRP: $24.99 (2-pack); $49.99 (4-pack) Available: Amazon (4-pack), Walmart (2-pack)

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W

hether it was sitting in a crowded movie theater in 1977 or popping The Phantom Menace into a DVD player in the early 2000s, every generation has its special introduction to the galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures is kids’ latest opening into the Star Wars universe. In the show, a group of younglings explore the galaxy and learn what it means to be a Jedi from Master Yoda.

With a colorful cast of main characters including Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, Nash Durango, and the fuzzy Nubs, this show provides kids as young as age 3 with a Star Wars saga to call their own.

“It’s always incredibly exciting and rewarding to help create products that allow new fans to connect with the Star

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Wars brand — especially kids,” says Chris Gollaher, director of product design and hardlines for Lucasfilm. “That’s always been my favorite part of this business.

One of the great strengths of Star Wars is that it really is a generational property — from the original classic trilogy to the newer theatrical installments of the saga, and all the animated and live-action stories created for TV, there’s something for everyone, and there’s always a jumping-on point for new fans.”

Designed with preschoolers in mind, Young Jedi Adventures is many kids’ first exposure to the beloved franchise.

Roberto Calderón, a Star Wars enthusiast and contributor to the Instagram page @StarWarsToyCollector, says his kids are too young to be interested in the Star

Wars movies or shows, so Young Jedi Adventures was a great way to introduce them to the lore.

Calderón has three boys: 5-year-old twins and a 3 year old. While the twins aren’t as into the show, Young Jedi Adventures has become a bonding opportunity for Calderón and his 3-year-old son.

“It came out at the right time,” Calderón says. “It’s one of the things that he and I do while his brothers choose to do some iPad time. He and I will sit and watch it, and then it’s kind of a transition where if the bigger boys have an appointment, me and the little one, while we wait for them, there’s a little park nearby that has a forest — we’ve gone on Jedi adventures and run around through the park.”

Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

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Calderón likes that Young Jedi Adventures, which takes place during the High Republic era of the Star Wars timeline, also features characters that we have previously only seen in books and comic books, such as Loden Greatstorm and Bell Zettifar. As the show continues, Calderón hopes Young Jedi Adventures continues to explore existing characters and themes from Star Wars in a way young kids can understand.

“I definitely want to see them add more characters,” Calderón says. “I would love to see more of Yoda, maybe even more of some of the other characters like Stellan Gios … Also, I hope there is a continuation of maybe more aspects and elements of the Force that they introduced in Clone Wars.”

Indie Galvan, an 8-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, has a Star Wars-themed Instagram account, @IndieSpeeder, that is run by her parents, Emily and

Juan Galvan. Indie was already a big fan of Star Wars before Young Jedi Adventures came to be.

“Indie was born into Star Wars,” Emily Galvan says. “Juan and I both love it. We brought her home in a Star Wars onesie and would play the Star Wars lullaby music for her. From there, she just fell in love with it, Darth Vader being her first love. She would call him ‘papa’ when she first started talking.”

Emily Galvin says that Indie loves the new characters introduced in Young Jedi Adventures, especially Lys Solay, who Indie has cosplayed as before.

“Indie says that Nubs is one of her favorites because he is cute and fuzzy,” Emily Galvan says. “She Disney launched a full collection of Young Jedi Adventures apparel and accessories, including the fuzzy Nubs baseball likes Lys, too, because she can talk to cap ($29.99) and this pink Nubs T-shirt ($19.99), on the animals. Indie loves animals. She wants Disney Store for May the 4th. | Source: Disney Store to be a zoologist one day.”

The show, which airs on Disney Junior communicate that young-fan affinity in and Disney+, has inspired epic collecall aspects, from visuals to play patterns. tions of toys and other products, just We still draw on all those iconic Star as the Star Wars shows and movies that Wars elements like droids, lightsabers, came before it. starships, and the Force, but make sure “For Young Jedi Adventures specifwe’re providing a great play experience ically, we were really aware — both in for younger kids.” the series and in the product — to focus Hasbro, which purchased Kenner Toys on the Star Wars themes that are most — the original makers of Star Wars action appropriate for those younger fans, like figures and playsets — back in 1991, has friendship, humor, exploration, and using a longstanding licensing deal with Lucastheir Jedi abilities to help others,” Gollafilm that now extends to the Young Jedi her says. “Likewise, we have a brighter, Adventures brand. The iconic toymaker more playful packaging expression for has launched a full series of toys based this line. We really want it to clearly on the series, including plush, playsets, Young Jedi Adventures focuses on preschool-friendly themes, like friendship, humor, and exploration.

Image: Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

One of Indie Galvan's (@IndieSpeeder) favorite Young Jedi Adventures characters is Lys Solay.

Photo: Dante Padre

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action figures, and, of course, role-play lightsabers. The centerpiece of Hasbro’s lineup is the Tenoo Jedi Temple playset, which features a training area where kids can re-create scenes from the show.

“We really love the Tenoo Jedi Temple playset because it brings everything in the line together and is a central location from the show,” says Sam Smith, director for global design and innovation for Hasbro’s Star Wars team. “Here, the Jedi can come together, learn, train, and prepare for their next adventure. There are so many great features to discover in the set that preschoolers will enjoy.”

And while the Younglings are all adorable in their little Jedi robes, there’s one character that is a clear, cute standout: Nubs. So naturally, the Hasbro team highlighted the fan-favorite with a special, 16.5-inch Fuzzy Force Nubs plush.

“He’s adorable and extra snuggly for preschoolers who love carrying their favorite characters wherever they go,” Smith says. “He’s such a fun character on the show and kids instantly relate to him.”

In addition to Hasbro's offerings, fans can find a trio of plush from Mattel and preschool-friendly LEGO sets, such as

the 124-piece Tenoo Jedi Temple and the 136-piece Crimson Firehawk.

As someone who often works with Star Wars toys and collectibles, Calderón says that he likes the durability of the Young Jedi Adventures toys, particularly Hasbro’s action figures.

“They’re not super poseable,“ Calderón says. “I tried getting them into the mission fleets and those things kind of fell apart and lost pieces — but as a parent, they’re fun because I’m not searching for pieces everywhere and they (the kids) like ’em. Nubs fits in well with The Black Series figures. Since I do toy photography as a hobby and also on behalf of @StarWarsToyCollector, sometimes Nubs has jumped in. My little one said, ‘Let’s make a Star Wars picture.’

We’ll bring him in and if he sees me setting up (a photo), Nubs will come join for a few.”

Kids can reenact scenes from Young Jedi Adventures with the Tenoo Jedi Temple Playset. Source: Hasbro

The 124-piece Tenoo Jedi Temple LEGO set is perfect for Young Jedi Adventures fans ages 4 and up.

Source: The LEGO Group

If kids have already got their hands on Young Jedi Adventures toys, there is still more they can discover from their favorite merch makers. Random House Children’s Books has published two Little Golden Books: Get Well, Nubs and The Jellyfruit Pursuit.

Disney Store also has a collection of Young Jedi Adventures merchandise, including apparel, accessories, and more — the highlight of which is definitely the fuzzy Nubs Baseball Cap. In the future, Calderón hopes that Disney and the product manufacturers it works with will make more small Young Jedi Adventures playsets along with role-playing toys like costumes.

“The bigger boys wanted to be Kai (for Halloween)” Calderón says. “I mean, there was some off-brand stuff … there was some company that makes just dress-up items for kids, and they had a Jedi robe, and so we actually just got that for them. The little one decided to make his own character. He had his dinosaur costume and then he put the Jedi robe on top of that.”

Young Jedi Adventures gives parents an easy new avenue to introduce kids to the galaxy we’ve come to love for more than 40 years without some of the heavier themes featured in the movies and animated series like The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. Plus, the show settles an age-old debate: Do you start with Episode IV or Episode I? Neither. You start with Young Jedi Adventures. ✪

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MERCH MAKERS

O

nly beings of immense power can wield the Infinity Stones, and now, thanks to East Continental Gems, that could include you.

East Continental Gems (ECG), a high-end fashion jeweler, has created a luxurious collection of officially licensed Marvel gems, accessories, jewelry, and more — and it all started with six iconic stones.

“I’ve been a lifelong fan of Marvel, and have collected the comics since I was a kid,” says ECG’s President and Curator Adam Mirzoeff. “Ever since we’ve entered into our collaboration with Marvel, we’ve done the absolute best we can to be true to the narrative of the Infinity Stones on the highest level. It’s of the utmost importance to us that the pieces we create are as true to the Marvel canon as they possibly can be.”

Marvel- and gem-lovers alike can become Infinity Stone owners through The Infinity Saga Gemstone Collection, curated and designed by Mirzoeff and the ECG team. While some of the stones have been available for purchase since November 2022, ECG continues to add to the collection, and recently opened a showroom — designed by Creative Director Catherine Czudej — in SoHo, New York, for collectors to experience a one-of-a-kind, customized opportunity.

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The Jarvis Series is ECG's most affordable Infinity Stone line, running fans $225 per stone or $1,250 for the complete six-piece set. | Source: ECG

In the ECG Concept showroom, jewelry aficionados and collectors can pick out individual Infinity Stones and choose how they’re crafted into a display, such as an Infinity Gauntlet, a display board, or another Marvel-themed prop. Entering the showroom is almost as incredible as the gems themselves. And don’t worry, if your Quinjet is in the shop and you can’t secure a lift to New York City, the stones are also available for purchase online.

Before you can wield the Infinity Gauntlet, or start collecting the individual stones themselves, you have to understand the basics.

Like any superhero mission, you should know what you’re dealing with before proceeding, especially if it’s going to rock your world (looking at you, Star Lord).

CANON EVENTS ECG has years of experience working with colored gems, which comes in handy when crafting Infinity Stones. The Marvel x ECG collection is, as Mirzoeff says, an “incredibly natural fit. The reason we’ve been such an effective collaborator for this collection is really because of our

expertise in determining which gems can best represent the Infinity Stones.”

Marvel fans may recognize ECG from its $25 million Infinity Gauntlet, which debuted at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) in 2022. The massive ECG x Marvel Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet features six Infinity Stones — more than 150 carats combined — embedded in a canon-accurate, gold Infinity Gauntlet, which made it easy for guests who stopped by the SDCC Marvel booth to imagine what it would be like to have Thano’s power — and hand size.

In addition to the epic Gauntlet, ECG offers two limited-edition series of stones: Jarvis and Genesis. There are also several different collectibles and some one-of-akind products that mimic items from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Marvel Comics. Essentially, if it exists in Marvel lore and features an Infinity Stone, you can have it.

When Russ Davis — a Marvel enthusiast who has several pieces from the collection — entered the ECG Concept showroom for the first time with his family, he recalled his Marvel-loving father seeming like “a kid in the candy store.”

Davis also noticed that “even people who weren’t into comic books were really fascinated with how they were integrating gemstones with comics, movies, superheroes, famous actors, and actresses.”

ECG is dedicated to creating experiences similar to the one Davis had. Mirzoeff mentions, “I think like any high-value collectible, we expect people will be

The Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet is designed to be canon accurate. | Source: ECG

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holding onto these for a long time and passing them down to members of their family. We see our Marvel line as a really great multigenerational gift due to its beauty, intrinsic value of the gemstones, and the inherent collectibility of anything Marvel related.”

Through the online store and the ECG Concept showroom, today’s collectors and Marvel fans have the chance to be part of a special squad of people, much like the Avengers.

JARVIS SERIES The Jarvis Series of Infinity Stones features 500 sets of semi-precious gems.

The stones in this series are the most affordable and accessible from the ECG x Marvel collection at $225 a piece.

Fans can choose from the Power Stone (amethyst), Time Stone (peridot), Reality Stone (red garnet), Soul Stone (madeira citrine), Space Stone (blue topaz), and Mind Stone (yellow citrine), or snag the full six-piece set for $1,250.

Each Jarvis Series stone comes in a slim, protective, sealed case that lists its number (out of 500) with information about that particular Infinity Stone’s powers; the gem’s measurements, weight, shape, and color; and a gold seal that reads “Official Authorized by Marvel, Authentic Infinity Gemstone.”

You don’t have to be a professional collector to start your own Infinity Stone collection. Davis, who currently has the Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet, a Jarvis Series Time Stone, and the Jarvis THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 43

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MERCH MAKERS Series: Infinity Gem Set and Display Board, was not a huge collector before visiting the ECG showroom.

“It’s definitely gotten me more into collecting than I’ve been in a while. [The Marvel x ECG Infinity Stones collection] sparked it, I guess, to a new realm that I wasn’t really a big part of earlier,” Davis says. “Meeting Adam and his crew, and seeing the pieces and seeing some of these old comic book editions, and how they’re bringing it into the new with these brand-new things like the Infinity Gauntlet that had never been done before, it’s just fascinating.”

Gemma Watts, a Marvel fan, fine jeweler, and applied jewelry professional, noted that situations like Davis’ might arise from the Infinity Stone collection.

“This is a genius idea to bring fine jewelry to a new demographic of consumers who might not typically consider gemstones as a collectible item, outside of the traditional value of fine jewelry and natural gemstones,” she says.

GENESIS SERIES While the Jarvis Series features semi-precious stones, the Genesis Series

takes things higher, further, faster with precious stones. There are only 300 of each stone available, and each one is a different size and shape. These gems fall into one of three purchase points: Phase One comes in at roughly $1,750, Phase Two runs collectors close to $6,000 per stone, and Phase Three are the elite of the elite at more than $6,000 a piece.

Despite the size or shape, all Genesis Series stones come packaged in a large, black briefcase inspired by S.H.I.E.L.D. Each gem also comes with information on its Genesis Series number, identification (type of stone), provenance (origin), measurements, weight, shape, color, and enhancement (applied heat or no heat).

At the time of publication, collectors can only purchase the Reality, Time, Space, and Soul Stones individually; or get the full set of six stones as part of the limited-edition Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet. Though not as large as the one from SDCC worth $25 million, it’s still a powerful collectible and well-sized for display in your bedroom or at the office.

And unlike the 1-of-1 SDCC version, there are 200 Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlets available.

Mirroring the gauntlet seen in Marvel media, the Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet has an eye-catching, custom-made brass setting. Fans can request a price quote to purchase the 9-inch replica in a matte patina finish or a high gloss finish. It comes in a large, wooden box and rests on a Marvel-branded stand.

The six Genesis stones that you handpick are prominently displayed in their respective places on the Gauntlet, and ECG has embedded every last canon-abiding detail into the replica glove.

Watts comments that each item from the collection, including the Gauntlet, is “a fun collector’s item that followers can have that is incredibly special due to the natural rarity of fine gemstones.”

BEYOND THE GAUNTLET The Marvel x ECG collection also includes the Eye of Agamotto. Fans have the opportunity to display an emerald Time Stone in the intricate gold case just like the one worn by Doctor Strange.

“We have 24 Eye of Agamottos – each representing a time zone,” Mirzoeff says. “These start at $25,000. The idea behind this series, which we’re calling the

Left: Stones from the Genesis Series each come in a large, S.H.E.I.L.D.-inspired case. Above: The $25 million Infinity Gauntlet is securely stored at the ECG Concept showroom, and some visitors might get a glimpse. | Source: ECG

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MERCH MAKERS a Coca-Cola product to enter the sweepstakes. Entry ends on June 30.

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The Time Stone in the replica of Dr. Strange's Eye of Agamotto is an emerald. | Source: ECG

GMT Series, is that each collector will be the only person of their time zone to own an Eye of Agamotto.”

The 24-piece Eye of Agamotto collection followed a 1-of-1, larger Eye of Agamotto that celebrities like Mike Tyson, Nikki Garcia, Chase DeMoor, and Brie Garcia posed with on ECG’s Instagram. According to Mirzoeff, “We created a one-of-a-kind work that meets the same extreme standards of any luxury jewelry brand. It sold nearly instantly to a collector who has asked that we keep any details of the sale private.”

HALL OF STONES Even if owning one of these pieces is not one of 14,000,605 possible outcomes for you, it’s incredible just to see them.

The ECG Concept showroom feels a bit like Tony Stark’s Hall of Armor with the breadth of awe-inspiring custom collectibles and memorabilia at every turn.

The ECG x Marvel Jarvis and Genesis collections are showcased in the Soho space, along with the Jarvis Display Board, Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet, and more. Fans will delight over the Marvel artwork and the original comic books on display throughout the room.

Although you’re walking into an area that contains highly valuable gems (and stones that can control the entire universe), it doesn’t feel like you’ve just walked into a top-secret S.H.I.E.L.D.

debrief. ECG created a relaxed, comfortable environment for visitors, including a lounge area with comfortable chairs and dim lighting, where guests can have a drink and discuss their favorite Infinity War theories. Mirzoeff’s team is welcoming and knowledgeable, with each member more than happy to dive into Marvel lore at any given moment.

Details are incredibly vital to ECG. “We’re a third generation jeweler, and it’s important that this comes through in our artistry. There needs to be that blend of beauty, collectability, authenticity, and intrinsic value,” Mirzoeff says.

If you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of the SDCC $25 million Infinity Gauntlet. If you’re not able to make it to the showroom, the team at ECG conducts virtual consultations to discuss the collection — you’ll just have to provide your own beverages.

One lucky winner took home a Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet during Wheel of Fortune’s Marvel Week in March, but fans who aren’t experts at televised puzzles have a chance to win the same prize through the Marvel x Coca-Cola: The Heroes Sweepstakes. Fans can win what’s deemed as the Ultimate Fan Experience: It includes exclusive access to Marvel’s events at New York Comic Con 2024, a Collector’s Edition Infinity Gauntlet from ECG, and more.

Fans can scan the Marvel character on

The Infinity Gauntlet and current Infinity Stones are not the end for the merch makers. ECG plans to create more limited-edition, Marvel-inspired collectibles — and custom pieces upon request.

“We’re really looking forward to the launch of the 1-of-1 Loki’s Scepter — this project has been a real labor of love for everyone involved,” Mirzoeff says.

According to the MCU, you can’t hold an Infinity Stone for long without dying (remember Red Skull?), so there could be plenty of containment options for collectors in the future.

“I don’t want to give anything away just yet, but you should definitely keep up with ECG on social media in the next few months. We have a lot in store for Marvel fans and gemstone aficionados alike,” Mirzoeff says.

For any Marvel fan, the Infinity Stones are incredibly significant. Not only were they the cause of the nation’s cry during “Mr. Stark, I don’t feel so good,” but they tie together several different Marvel storylines, characters, comics, and films.

By creating realistic, recognizable Infinity Stones, ECG has provided Marvel fans with another way to interact with their favorite properties. Paul Gitter, senior vice president of Marvel Consumer Products, stated in a press release at the start of the collaboration in 2022 that “We wanted to provide Marvel fans and collectors the unique opportunity to take a piece of this Marvel treasure [the Infinity Gauntlet] home with them.”

Marvel and ECG’s Infinity Stones compliment a massive world built by Stan Lee and others. It’s more than a collection of replicas, as Davis says, “I think it’s a piece of history, American history.” ✪ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Samantha Connell is an assistant editor at The Pop Insider, The Toy Book, and The Toy Insider. She loves to write, craft, and play with her adorable dog. She is a Ravenclaw, a Star Wars fan, and a Clemson alumna. She also thinks that she is the favorite aunt.

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F

rom Tokyo to Times Square, Hello Kitty has left her mark across the world. The popculture icon turns 50 this year, and Sanrio is set to host the biggest year-long party to celebrate the milestone in style.

While Hello Kitty is known for her cuteness, sweet nature, love of baking, and iconic red bow, her true legacy is spreading kindness and friendship.

“Hello Kitty is an enduring and beloved phenomenon, captivating hearts across generations and cultures,” says Jill Koch, senior vice president of marketing and brand management at Sanrio. “She is a symbol of friendship, kindness, and inclusivity, and is a powerful source of comfort, nostalgia, and self-expression.”

Sanrio will host a range of location-based and digital experiences throughout the year, including a Supercute art exhibit in Los Angeles, new content on the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube channel, exclusive collaborations, limited-edition commemorative products, special appearances at sporting events, new metaverse experiences on Roblox, celebrations in Hello Kitty Island Adventure on Apple Arcade, new Hello Kitty Cafe locations, and more.

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and we’re excited to share our appreciation for her fans by offering memorable Hello Kitty-inspired experiences — both IRL and digitally — all year long,” Koch says. “While our primary audiences are adult females and younger girls, we’re continuing to target all fans ... through various activations that resonate across age groups.”

“YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY FRIENDS” Hello Kitty fans span an impressive four generations, and they are the key to her lasting popularity. While many childhood fandoms tend to get left behind after the teenage years, Hello Kitty remains relevant by showing up in places where her fans are active.

“I became a Hello Kitty fan when I was 12 years old,” says Sylvia Valdez, a digital creator whose Instagram profile (@ilovexhellokittyx) is dedicated to sharing her Hello Kitty collection with more than 65,000 followers. “I am now 27 and still love her the same.” Valdez’ favorite Hello Kitty product launch of all time is the Hello Kitty collection from Impressions Vanity. It includes makeup and wall mirrors, brush sets, vanity tables and chairs, cosmetic pouches, and more geared toward adult collectors. “The whole collab has so

many cute items for us girls to decorate our vanity space,”she says. “I hope to give other Hello Kitty fans the confidence to grow their own collections regardless of what anyone might say! Always be yourself no matter what.”

CREATING A LEGEND From humble beginnings to superstar status, Hello Kitty has come a long way over the last five decades. Before becoming a global sensation, Hello Kitty made her debut in Japan on a vinyl coin purse adorned with a star-etched snap closure.

She started as a symbol of friendship and many of the original products focused on social communication and stationery items including letter sets, memo pads, mini pencil sets, and more. Other early Hello Kitty merch included small accessories such as keychains

Pop! Hello Kitty in Cake (50th Anniversary) Source: Funko

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Hello Kitty Cafes opened at Fashion Show Las Vegas (left) and The Park MGM Las Vegas (right) with more to come later this year. | Source: Sanrio

and stickers.

Hello Kitty leaned into kawaii culture — a Japanese concept that celebrates cuteness — and initially attracted a niche audience of young girls, but quickly grew to transcend age groups and even continents. “Building on the Japanese tradition of gift-giving, Hello Kitty merchandise became a popular choice for people to express heart-felt feelings to one another, ultimately cementing her place in people’s hearts,” Koch explains.

Helen (@hellokitty4helen on Instagram), has been a Hello Kitty fan since 1977. She takes to Instagram to regularly share Hello Kitty content, including her collection and travels, with more than 20,000 followers. “I immediately became obsessed,” she says. “I love how she makes me feel. My goal is to share the love and friendship that she represents with other Hello Kitty collectors and fans.” Helen even has a Hello Kitty She Shed, complete with a Plushie Room at her house. “What has been released so far [for the 50th anniversary] is beautiful. I am loving the pastels and also the classic red — I am a fan of both,” she says.

Today, fans can find Hello Kitty on products ranging from apparel and accessories to home goods and personal care items. The kawaii icon is even present in the ever-growing digital space, most recently with Apple Arcade’s Hello Kitty Island Adventure and her ongoing Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures YouTube animated series.

“Over the last five decades, the range of products featuring Hello Kitty has grown and evolved, but has remained a favorite among customers of all

"I love that Hello Kitty brings people together and spreads kindness everywhere.”

- Sylvia Valdez (@ilovexhellokittyx)

ages and backgrounds,” says Rick Vargas, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing at BoxLunch, which carries a ton of Hello Kitty products. “The fanbase of Hello Kitty, a vibrant and diverse community, continues to expand every day, with even those who grew up with the character since its introduction still remaining loyal fans.”

MERCH FOR THE MASSES Sanrio is committed to delivering lifestyle products and collectibles that resonate with its diverse fanbase. The 50th-anniversary merch program includes a mix of practical items, collectibles, and more geared toward fans and collectors of all ages, ranging in price to ensure products are accessible to anyone who wants to join in on the celebrations.

Igloo Products launched a limited-edition Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Cooler Collection, which includes a personal 7-quart Little Playmate cooler and a stainless steel 16-ounce can with advanced temperature retention — both showcasing specially designed, pastelgradient artwork and 50th-anniversary graphics commemorating the occasion.

“It’s amazing, but not surprising, that Hello Kitty and all her friends have maintained their cultural relevancy for decades,” says Jon Sinko, Igloo Products’

vice president of partnerships. “I think it’s a true testament to the Sanrio team and their ability to keep her fresh with a variety of strategic partnerships [and a] strong cast of friends ... tying it all back to a strong brand identity.” Igloo will launch a 32-ounce travel mug and a softside square lunch cooler in November.

Additionally, Funko released a line of 50th Anniversary Pop! Hello Kitty figures and the Loungefly 50th Anniversary collection, which includes backpacks, wallets, jackets, hoodies, journals, and more. And this summer, Jazwares will unveil a variety of 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty plush, figures, and a Squishmallows x Hello Kitty collection, with exclusive styles available at Comic-Con International: San Diego.

“Our goal was to make sure authenticity and innovation influenced all of the creative decisions,” says Gerhard Runken, executive vice president of brand and marketing at Jazwares. “Nostalgia for multigenerational brands has been trending for the past few years. Hello Kitty and Friends has timeless appeal for children, adult collectors, and parents eager to share their love for Hello Kitty with younger generations.”

Other anniversary collabs include Crocs x Hello Kitty, which pays tribute to her classic blue overalls and red bow; Sonix, which provides fans with phone accessories like cases or phone rings; Zojirushi, which offers a collection of stainless steel kitchen accessories; and more.

Koch notes that more anniversaryinspired products will roll out throughout the year spanning a variety of categories: “We are always looking to surprise and delight our fans and we have many fun surprises in the works!” ✪ THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 49

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Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Little Playmate 7-quart Cooler IGLOO PRODUCTS MSRP: $44.99 Available: igloocoolers.com This limited-edition Little Playmate with Thermecool foam features specially designed 50th-anniversary artwork and graphics.

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Hello Kitty Siren Clog CROCS MSRP: $99.99 Available: mass retailers Made for fans who grew up with the global icon and stayed unapologetically cute, the clog features sparkly, 3.6-inch high heels and Jibbitz charms.

Hello Kitty x Polaroid 600 Perfectly Pink Instant Film Camera RETROSPEKT MSRP: $179 Available: retrospekt.com, sanrio.com This functioning instant photography camera is made with refurbished, vintage Polaroid pieces.

Sanrio Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Coin Bag Metallic Mini Backpack LOUNGEFLY MSRP: $80 | Available: loungefly.com This mini backpack features a front pocket that pays homage to the first Hello Kitty item Sanrio ever made: a coin purse!

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