Tokyo's Togo Shrine once again offered its popular "Sanrio Character Health Charms" on New Year's Day, but by January 2nd, reports emerged that some characters, including Hello Kitty, had already sold out, drawing widespread attention. These Hello Kitty charms, themed around the 2025 Year of the Snake, quickly appeared on secondhand trading platforms, fetching prices up to five times their original cost and igniting a heated debate among netizens.
Togo Shrine is renowned as the birthplace of Sanrio charms, issuing various designs featuring beloved characters like Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, and Hangyodon. A total of 18 "Character Health Charms" were available, each priced at 700 JPY. This year's special edition, the Hello Kitty charm with a snake motif, attracted massive crowds. According to the official website, as of January 2nd, charms featuring Hello Kitty, Wish Me Mell, Shinkansen, and Honey Cinnamon were completely sold out.
However, the subsequent high-priced resales of these charms on secondhand platforms drew significant backlash from many netizens. One user commented, "Even for character goods, this behavior is just awful!" while another lamented, "Even with a one-per-person limit, they still got snatched up..."
This event at Togo Shrine not only highlights the enduring appeal of Sanrio characters but also transforms these charms into items with not just commemorative value, but perceived investment potential. Nevertheless, it has also sparked considerable dissatisfaction and discussion regarding the practice of reselling.
via： ねとらぼ