7-Eleven in Japan is launching a Christmas campaign with the beloved character “Chiikawa,” titled “Let’s Enjoy Winter with Chiikawa! 7-Eleven x Chiikawa,” starting on Tuesday, December 2nd. At a promotional event held prior to the launch, details of the collaboration products were unveiled, and the appearance of special guests generated a huge buzz.
“Chiikawa” is a character created by illustrator Nagano, who has won immense support from a wide range of generations across Japan for its adorable appearance and sometimes bittersweet stories. In Japan, these kinds of collaborations with popular characters have become a seasonal highlight at convenience stores, delighting countless fans every time.
At the event, Noriyuki Okajima, General Manager of the Marketing Division at 7-Eleven Japan, took the stage. “We have prepared fun projects to encourage customers to visit us many times during the Christmas and New Year holidays,” he stated, expressing confidence in this second year of the Chiikawa collaboration. He also touched on the company’s vision, saying, “Under the message ‘I wonder what’s at 7-Eleven,’ we aspire to be a place where customers can find something new and fall in love with it every time they visit.”
Kasumi Mori and the Chiikawa Characters Appear in Santa Outfits!
As a special guest for the event, celebrity Kasumi Mori made an appearance. She graced the stage in a special outfit inspired by Santa Claus, perfect for the Christmas season.
Furthermore, the three characters Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi also made a surprise appearance, instantly filling the venue with a cheerful atmosphere. Ms. Mori hugged the plush toys offered as prizes in the character lottery, and her adorable reaction captivated the entire room.
Kasumi Mori’s Taste-Test Report on the Collaboration Products!
In the middle of the event, Ms. Mori took on the “7-Eleven x Chiikawa Quiz” to guess the features of the collaboration products. As a reward for answering correctly, she got to taste-test four of the new items.
Cheese Granu-Toast
Among the various items, Ms. Mori seemed particularly fond of the “Cheese Granu-Toast.” After one bite, she exclaimed, “This is delicious…! You first get the saltiness and toasted flavor of the cheese, but it’s also sweet. That sweet-and-salty combination is so addictive, I could eat it forever!” She also suggested another way to enjoy it, adding, “I bet it would be even tastier heated up!”
Sweet Double Cream Koppepan
This sweet bread features two types of cream sandwiched in a “koppepan (a long, soft bread roll),” a bread roll familiar to many from Japanese school lunches. It offers a flavor that is both nostalgic and new.
Shisa’s Satapanbin – Purple Sweet Potato Flavor (Sata Andagi)
This is a “Sata Andagi,” a traditional doughnut from Okinawa. It features the natural sweetness of purple sweet potato and is themed after the character Shisa from the series.
Strawberry Milk Smoothie
A limited-edition Chiikawa flavor is joining 7-Eleven’s popular smoothie series. It strikes a perfect balance between the sweet and tart flavor of strawberries and the smoothness of milk.
Ms. Mori’s precise and enthusiastic taste-testing made the appeal of each product shine even brighter.
Wishing for the Campaign’s Success
At the end of the event, a ceremony was held to hang a special wish ornament on the Christmas tree, praying for the campaign’s success.
Ms. Mori wrote a heartwarming message on the ornament, “May the heartfelt wishes of Chiikawa and friends reach everyone♡,” and carefully placed it on the tree.
Finally, Ms. Mori closed the event with her hopes for the campaign, stating, “The packaging for every single item is adorable, so I hope that even during the busy holiday season, they can bring a small moment of joy to people the moment they pick them up.”
This delightful and delicious collaboration is something uniquely found at convenience stores in Japan. If you get a chance to visit Japan, be sure to stop by a 7-Eleven to enjoy a special winter with Chiikawa and friends.
Guest Profile
Kasumi Mori
Born on June 16, 1995, in Tokyo. Her hobby is perfectly replicating the dance routines of pop idols. She is a popular figure on many television programs and at events, known for her cheerful personality and excellent food reporting skills.
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