Adorable “Kawaii” Plush Bear Character Sensations Have Swept Asia And Make A Fun And Unique Gift

San Francisco, CA, November 27, 2012 – NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, invites holiday shoppers add a fun dose of “kawaii” (or cute) to their seasonal lists with the latest product line-ups of the popular character series – Rilakkuma – adorable, soft plush bears that are one of the most popular and successful character franchises to sweep Japan and other Asian countries over the past 10 years

Rilakkuma (a combination of the Japanese pronunciation of relax and the Japanese word for bear) have become one of the most successful kawaii characters ever to be launched in Japan. NEW PEOPLE, The Store has partnered with Laugh Laugh, one of the largest and biggest grossing online distributors of Rilakkuma collectibles in Japan, to offer a range of the latest products, as well as a variety of rare and highly sought-after designs. The bears range in price from $18.00-$280.00 depending on size and design. Many other related Rilakkauma items are also for sale, ranging from apparel and stationary to other collectibles. The Rilakkuma bears are available to shoppers nationwide on NEW PEOPLE’s web store at: store.newpeopleworld.com.

“Rilakkuma represents the heart of Japanese ‘kawaii’ sensitivity and the strength of the Japanese character market worldwide,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the founder of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “We have an extensive collection of latest and rare Rilakkuma products in-stock and available at the most reasonable prices outside of Japan at our San Francisco retail location, as well as to customers nationwide on our web site. Rilakkuma are the perfect companion for the holidays and their cute, soft and plushy presence will surely warm the hearts of everyone they meet.”

First designed and produced by the Japanese company, San-X, Rilakkuma will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013. To-date, more than 10,000 different items based on these popular characters, including plush toys, stationary, picture books and video games, have been produced by over 100 manufactures in Japan.

A variety of unique and inventive pop culture-inspired products from Japan are now available – just in time for the holidays – on the NEW PEOPLE web site and also inside NEW PEOPLE The Store, the colorful and eclectic retail space located on the mezzanine level of the 20,000 square foot entertainment complex located in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Japantown at 1746 Post Street.

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films as well as various forms of entertainment. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.