Shopping Guide
A bus wrapped in PR advertisements for the 2014 Sanrio Character Ranking was in operation in the Shibuya and Harajuku areas of Tokyo for three days from May 16-18. Popular characters Hello Kitty and My Melody also evoked cheers when they rode the wrapped bus.
The Sanrio Character Ranking, which is being held for the 29th time this year, is a popularity contest that digs up the possibilities and charms of each character while familiarizing fans with the characters’ worlds. One hundred Sanrio characters are taking part in this cut-throat and cute election to decide the most popular character. Being that this year is a World Cup year, a new group division system has been implemented and votes will be taken twice, for the first and final stages. The characters have been divided into five groups for the first stage group battle. Also, the results of the vote will be announced first on a special site.
Within the three days it was in operation, the bus ran in Shibuya on the 17th and in Harajuku on the 18th, with each character riding the bus. The characters that rode the wrapped bus were Hello Kitty, My Melody, Bonbonribbon, Kuromi, and Goexpanda (Go-chan). Amid the cheerfulness of May, the Sanrio characters suddenly appeared in Shibuya and attracted a gathering of cheering commuters. People taking pictures of the wrapped bus using their smartphones could be seen left and right.
Voting for the first stage will continue until June 15. Votes are being taken worldwide, so join in and vote for your favorite character!
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
