Japan’s quirkiest kawaii icons you need to know

Translating to 'Bread Thief', this cheeky character comes from a popular Japanese children's book by Keiko Shibata. Pandorobo wears a loaf of bread, sneaking around to steal baked goods from bakeries. His mischievous personality has made him a hit, and you’ll likely spot him in bookstores across Japan in the form of books, plushies, tote bags, cookies and more. This Pandorobo piggy bank (¥3,300) makes an adorable addition to any home.

Is it a chainsaw? A dog? Pochita is neither, but the ‘Chainsaw Devil’ – a creature with a chainsaw blade for a head. He’s from the hit manga and anime Chainsaw Man and is immensely popular in Japan and abroad. Fans can pick up a wide range of merchandise, from collectible figures to this fluffy embroidery pouch (¥2,860).

You can’t talk about bizarre characters in Japan without mentioning yuru-chara, or local mascots. One of the strangest we’ve come across is Nishiko-kun, who represents Tokyo’s Nishi-Kokubunji area. The playful character with legs peeking out from its round face resembles a walking manhole cover, but is actually inspired by a 1,200-year-old roof tile from Musashi Kokubunji Temple. His awkward dance moves only add to the charm – and if you don’t catch him at a local festival, you can still pick up some fun merch, like these palm-sized plush mascots (set of 3 for ¥900) to clip onto your bag or phone.

Sometimes the strangest things end up becoming collectibles in Japan. Case in point: Smiski, the curious little figurines that come in all sorts of eccentric poses. Originally released as blind box toys (before making their way into gachapon machines), these glow-in-the-dark characters are said to love hiding in corners around your home, making them a playful addition to your décor. The characters are available in various series, but some of the funniest are from the Toilet Series (¥1,210), which includes six designs to collect via blind boxes.

A mysterious mix of plant and animal, these creatures are the characters of Nintendo’s beloved Pikmin franchise. In the series, seeds are launched from ‘Onions’, which land on the ground and grow into tiny sprouts. Once plucked, they become Pikmin who loyally follow your lead. These charmingly quirky creatures come in several varieties, each with its own unique abilities. Transform into your favourite Pikmin with this hoodie (¥6,930), available in three colours – blue, yellow and red.