Heisei Retro/Y2K Icon Hoppe-chan and Gen Z Influencer Group Melpetite Launch KAWAII Collaboration in Shibuya

Kosaido Next, a company of the Kosaido Group, announced a collaboration event between Sun Hoseki’s popular character Hoppe-chan and the junior and senior high school influencer group Melpetite. The event will be held on May 30, 2026, at Village Vanguard Shibuya Main Store, offering fans a chance to interact with members and create one-of-a-kind original Hoppe-chan figures. At the event, Melpetite selected member Kokomin will serve as store manager for the day. Participants can enjoy making exclusive Melpetite-themed Hoppe-chan figures and take smartphone two-shot photos with their preferred members. The event runs from 11:00 to 16:00 on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Village Vanguard Shibuya Main Store. The participation fee is 4,000 yen including tax. Twelve members are scheduled to appear: Kokomin, Arisu, Kotoko, Yuzu, Niko, Kocchan, Reina, Mana, Ruka, Kanon, Ayuna, and Kokona. The lineup and schedule are subject to change. Collaboration merchandise will also be available. Six selected Melpetite members have been transformed into Hoppe-chan-style characters: Hiyori as Angel Hoppe-chan, Rinon as Space Cat Hoppe-chan, Hinano as Melpetite Hoppe-chan, Kokomin as Cream Soda Hoppe-chan, Hinata as Dark-Kawaii Hoppe-chan, and Yukina as Heisei Gal Hoppe-chan. Merchandise includes charms, stickers, acrylic stands, and other fan items. Special purchase benefits will be offered at the venue. For every 1,100 yen including tax spent on collaboration goods, customers will receive an autograph ticket for merchandise. For every 3,300 yen including tax spent, customers will receive a ticket for a 10-second message video from their chosen member. Cheki photo tickets will also be sold on the day, priced at 1,500 yen including tax for one ticket or 7,500 yen including tax for five tickets, with one signed photo included. Melpetite is a junior and senior high school girls’ influencer group active mainly on YouTube and TikTok under the concept “Start your Kawaii!” Since launching videos in 2019, its YouTube channel has reached 431,000 subscribers as of May 2026 and surpassed 650 million total views. The group produces content on makeup, fashion, romance, dance, documentaries, and other topics reflecting the real interests of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Hoppe-chan is an original Sun Hoseki character launched in 2010, known for its soft texture, round eyes, and sparkling cheeks. Its whipped-cream-like shape and individually varied expressions made it popular among teen girls, especially elementary school girls at the time. Today, the character is gaining renewed attention alongside Heisei retro, Heisei girl culture, and kidult consumption trends.