Hatsune Miku × Hello Kitty Ball-Chain Mascot – Vocaloid × Sanrio Collab Cat

When two globally popular characters seriously “merge,” this is what happens──.
The Hatsune Miku × Hello Kitty Ball-Chain Mascot compresses Miku’s twin-tails and costume into Hello Kitty’s simple face, a palm-sized special collaboration item.
Originally a quietly released capsule-gacha mini-figure, it has since gone out of production and become a rare collectible sought by fans both inside and outside Japan.
“Love both Miku and Kitty” or “want to subtly make my desk or bag otaku-style” — this mascot reliably hits those buttons.

Product details

Source:Kitan Club

Product name
Hatsune Miku × Hello Kitty Ball-Chain Mascot

Manufacturer / brand
Capsule toy maker Kitan Club
Officially licensed Sanrio product
Triple collaboration with Hatsune Miku (Crypton Future Media)

Release timing & sales format
Release period: around September 2012
Sales format: Gachapon (capsule toy)
Distributed via capsule machines placed in toy stores, anime shops, and big-box retailers nationwide

Specifications & size
Material: PVC soft vinyl + metal ball chain
Size: roughly 4 cm — mini-figure size
Easy-to-use size for keychains or bag charms

Lineup (6 total types)

Source:Kitan Club

• Hatsune Miku × Hello Kitty (two pose variants)

• Kagamine Rin × Hello Kitty

• Kagamine Len × Hello Kitty

• Megurine Luka × Hello Kitty

• Secret (surprise)
  ※ All feature a “Hello Kitty face × Vocaloid outfit” mixed design

Design characteristics

• The face is purely Hello Kitty; hair style, costume, and color scheme are taken from Hatsune Miku (or other Vocaloids) — a “hybrid” sculpt.

• The Miku variant features her signature twin-tails and cyber-ish outfit, with Hello Kitty’s red ribbon perched on Miku’s hair as a cute point.

• Cute and gag-like elements coexist; it’s a distinctly gacha-style, playful design.

Current availability difficulty

• Production has ended; no reprints.

• Now obtainable mainly from the secondhand market (flea market apps, auctions, collector shops).

• Items in excellent condition, with tags, or full sets are especially popular among collectors.

Other series in this product line (“friends” lineup)

The Hatsune Miku × Hello Kitty Ball-Chain Mascot is not just a one-off Miku item — it appeared as part of a broader Vocaloid × Sanrio collaboration series.

Examples of characters in the same series include:

Kagamine Rin × Hello Kitty

Source:Kitan Club

Hello Kitty’s silhouette combined with short yellow hair and a large ribbon, plus a sailor-style outfit. Rin’s energetic, bright image is expressed in a small, seated, deformed figure.

Kagamine Len × Hello Kitty

Source:Kitan Club

A mischievous boy Len reinterpreted with a Hello Kitty face. The sculpt includes headset-like details and short pants, reproducing Len’s traits in miniature.

Megurine Luka × Hello Kitty

Source:Kitan Club

Long pink hair paired with black-and-gold clothing creates an “older-sister Kitty.” The contrast between Luka’s cool, mature vibe and Kitty’s round form feels fresh.

Source:Kitan Club

1. Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- Mega39’s (Nintendo Switch)

Source:Amazon

• Genre: Rhythm game

• Platform: Nintendo Switch

• Content: Rhythm game featuring over 100 classic Vocaloid songs.

• Features:

  • Motion-sensor “feel” mode using Joy-Con as well as traditional button play

  • Switchable rendering between anime-style toon shading and a more realistic model

  • Rich costume (module) and customization features to style your “favorite Miku”

• Recommended points:

  • Easy for overseas players to enjoy on Switch — great Miku introduction

  • Playable in TV or handheld mode, offering a home-concert feel

2. Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- Future Tone DX

Source:Amazon

• Genre: Rhythm game

• Platform: PlayStation 4

• Content: Based on the arcade “Project DIVA,” a massive, almost-complete collection music game.

• Features:

  • Over 200 songs + many additional modules (costumes)

  • High-quality arcade-level visuals and extensive PV (music video) viewing modes

  • Wide difficulty range for beginners to expert rhythm gamers

• Recommended points:

  • Popular with overseas fans who want to revisit Miku’s signature songs

  • Even non-players enjoy it as an MV compilation

3. Nendoroid Hatsune Miku (GOOD SMILE COMPANY)

Source:Good Smile Company

• Genre: Chibi-style figure (~10 cm)

• Content: The Nendoroid line’s Hatsune Miku has numerous variants from the original release (Series No.33) to Snow Miku, Sakura Miku, Racing Miku, etc. Variety is enormous.

• Features:

  • Cute, squishy chibi styling and large eyes

  • Interchangeable faceplates, arms, legs, and accessories for posing play

  • Many limited and event editions — high collectibility

• Recommended points:

  • A staple Miku collectible internationally

  • Attractive packaging makes both unopened display and open-play collectors happy

4. 1/7 & 1/8 scale Hatsune Miku figures (various manufacturers)

Source:Tsurumai Hobby

• Genre: Scale figure (~20 cm)

• Content: Numerous large-scale figures from Good Smile Company and other makers — detailed, larger statues.

• Representative lineups:

  • Standard Hatsune Miku (various versions)

  • Racing Miku series (annual design changes)

  • Illustrator-collaboration models (turning artwork into 3D)

• Features & recommended points:

  • Extremely detailed sculpting of hair flow, costume textures, and base design

  • One figure becomes the shelf’s centerpiece with strong presence

  • High import demand overseas; limited items often go premium quickly

5. Hatsune Miku × Hello Kitty / Sanrio collaboration goods (various)

Source:Hatsune Miku official blog

• Genre: Plushes, ball-chain mascots, miscellaneous goods

• Content:

  • Hello Kitty dressed in Miku’s outfit

  • Kitty-face mascots with Miku-style hair and costume

  • Stationery, pouches, T-shirts, and other apparel and miscellaneous items

• Features:

  • A classic “global character × virtual singer” collab

  • Small mascots are easy to attach to bags/backpacks and are popular with overseas fans

  • Many items are event-limited or shop-limited — “if you miss it, you might never meet it again”

• Recommended points:

  • Appeals to both Sanrio and Miku fans — great for gifts

  • Photo-friendly mascots are well-liked for SNS sharing

High-profile Hatsune Miku collaboration projects

1. Good Smile Racing × Hatsune Miku “Racing Miku”

Source:グッドスマイルレーシング

Overview
“Racing Miku” is the mascot for the Hatsune Miku GT Project, a team that competes in SUPER GT. The character acts like a race queen mascot and is the official figure for the race team, appearing on the car, pit area, and merchandise.

Scale
Racing cars are fully wrapped with Racing Miku designs and run at circuits domestically and abroad. New designs are released yearly, spawning figures, goods, and fan merch in large numbers.

Points
A singular project that fuses “itasha (character-wrapped car)” culture with a serious race team. Fans can simultaneously support their favorite driver and Miku, blending race culture and character fandom.

2. Toyota × Hatsune Miku (TOYOTA USA “COROLLA × Miku” campaign)

Source:Hatsune Miku official blog

Overview
Toyota in the U.S. used Hatsune Miku in a large promotional campaign for the Corolla, under the concept “Virtual Pop Star × COROLLA.”

Scale
TV commercials, dedicated websites, event appearances — a global brand’s full-scale use of Miku in advertising.

Points
A full-fledged automaker tie-up elevated Miku’s status as a character, giving broader exposure to general audiences in North America.

3. FamilyMart × Hatsune Miku (“Miku-man” & fair)

Source:Hatsune Miku official blog

Overview
A collaboration campaign with the convenience store chain FamilyMart, involving in-store fairs, prize draws, exclusive goods, and more across multiple years.

Scale
Implemented nationwide, making Miku visible in everyday retail environments.

Points
“Going to FamilyMart means meeting Miku” experiences spread on social media. The collaboration broadened Miku’s appeal beyond hardcore fans to students, families, and casual consumers.

4. Lawson × Hatsune Miku collaboration campaigns

Source:ローソン

Overview
A long-running tie-up with Lawson that repeatedly hosts Miku collaboration fairs. Drawings of Miku in Lawson uniforms and other limited illustrations make each campaign noteworthy.

Scale
Ongoing campaigns producing clear files, tapestries, food tie-ins, and seasonal collaborations like “Snow Miku × Lawson.”

Points
A familiar, almost “standard” collaboration that many fans expect — some treat Lawson as a shrine-like stop when visiting Japan.

5. Sapporo Snow Festival × Snow Miku (SNOW MIKU)

Source:Hatsune Miku official blog

Overview
An official “Snow Miku” project tied to the Sapporo Snow Festival. Each year a winter-themed Snow Miku is unveiled with a new theme.

Scale
Snow sculptures, live events, train and public-space wraps, and extensive merchandise — turning the city into a Snow Miku experience.

Points
Links character promotion with regional tourism and public engagement. Many overseas visitors plan winter trips to Hokkaido to see Snow Miku events.

6. Sanrio × Hatsune Miku (Hello Kitty collaboration)

Source:Amazon

Overview
A crossover project pairing Sanrio characters and Hatsune Miku — centered on Hello Kitty × Hatsune Miku goods and events.

Scale
Wide product range: plushes, ball-chain mascots, stationery, apparel, event-limited goods, etc.

Points
A dream combination of “global character × virtual singer” with huge buzz potential. Both Sanrio and Miku fans collect these items as memorabilia of the crossover.

7. Domino’s Pizza Japan × Hatsune Miku (Domino’s app collaboration)

Source:Animate Times

Overview
An AR app–linked promotional project with Domino’s Pizza, combining pizza and an app-based experience.

Scale
Scan a pizza box with the dedicated app to see AR Miku perform on the box. Miku-branded packaging and in-store visual campaigns were also used.

Points
The gimmick “turn the pizza box into a stage” drew big attention domestically and internationally, making headlines as a creative Japan-style marketing stunt.

9. Nissin Cup Noodles × Hatsune Miku / Project SEKAI

Source:日清食品

Overview
A collaboration titled “Cup Noodles × Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku.” Announced by press release on February 16, 2022, and followed by a five-day in-game campaign (May 1–5, 2022) that added commemorative songs to the game.

Scale
Original songs themed after Cup Noodle flavors were composed by well-known producers (Mitchie M, DECO*27, PinocchioP, Kanaria, etc.) and added to the rhythm game Project SEKAI as event content.

Points
As a digital-first campaign (music, MV, game), overseas fans could easily participate. The unique concept of Cup Noodle–themed Vocaloid songs generated buzz and reinforced how Japanese corporate tie-ups can create globally shareable content.

About Sanrio

Source:Sanrio

Founded in 1960, Sanrio Co., Ltd. is a character-goods brand company. Its concept is “Small Gift, Big Smile.” Centered on Hello Kitty, Sanrio develops many globally loved character IPs and operates across goods, animation, theme parks, cafes, and corporate collaborations. As a symbol of “kawaii” culture, Sanrio enjoys global popularity.

Sanrio Puroland (Tama, Tokyo)

Source:Sanrio Puroland

Opened in 1990, an indoor theme park (fun even on rainy days). Features live shows, parades, and character greetings, allowing visitors to experience Sanrio character worlds. It’s a photo-friendly and “oshi-activity” spot popular with younger generations and increasingly a “kawaii pilgrimage spot” for overseas travelers.

Representative popular content:

• Miracle Gift Parade

• KAWAII KABUKI ~ Hello Kitty Troupe’s Momotaro ~

• Photo opportunities with characters and limited-goods shops

Top 5 Sanrio characters popular overseas

Hello Kitty

Source:Sanrio

• Birth: 1974 (Sanrio)

• Character summary: A girl from the suburbs of London who is cheerful and curious. Fun trivia: official stats say her weight equals three apples and her height equals five apples.

• Popularity in Japan: A long-standing top-tier, multi-generational “national character.”

• Why she’s valued overseas:

  • Recognized globally as the symbol of “kawaii” culture

  • Collaborates with major high-fashion brands (Balenciaga, Nike, etc.)

  • Her minimal storyline makes her easy to accept across cultures

  • Universally usable by children and adults

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