"First Mell-chan" Released, Perfect for Starting Care Play with Basic Fun

Pilot Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Fumio Fujisaki) announced today that its Toy Division will release "Hajimete no Mell-chan" (First Mell-chan), a new set perfectly suited for care play for ages 1.5 and up, from its "Mell-chan" series, which has been loved for over 30 years. It will be available starting Saturday, April 18, at major toy specialty stores and mass retailers.

◆ "Hajimete no Mell-chan" for children starting care play

Around 1.5 years old, children's desire to imitate those around them grows, marking the beginning of pretend play and care play. This product is designed for children embarking on their "care play debut," allowing them to fully enjoy basic activities such as dressing the doll, putting on a diaper, bathing, tucking her in for sleep, and brushing her hair.

Product Name: Hajimete no Mell-chan Suggested Retail Price: ¥3,960 (¥3,600 excluding tax) Target Age: 1.5 years and older Set Contents: Mell-chan doll, wearable diaper, dress, comb, First BOOK Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

◆ Long-selling "Oshare Hair Mell-chan" and "Omeme Pachikuri Nene-chan" also renewed, with new accessory sets for care play

"Oshare Hair Mell-chan," who can have various hair arrangements with her smooth long hair, and Mell-chan's younger sister "Omeme Pachikuri Nene-chan," are returning with a renewal. "Oshare Hair Mell-chan" features silky long hair and is perfect for "first hair arrangements" that fulfill children's desire to try things out, with an included headband. Playing with and styling hair helps foster concentration and creativity. "Omeme Pachikuri Nene-chan" closes her eyes quietly when laid down and opens them with a 'pachi' sound when stood up, making it seem like she's truly sleeping. Her hair changes to blonde when bathed.

"Cleaning Robot & Wiper Set" and "Basic Shoe Set," which can be played with Mell-chan series dolls, are also being released together. After cleaning the room with the forward-moving cleaning robot and wiper, try combining the "Shoes and Socks Set" with separately sold dresses and outfits to create unique "cute coordinates" that pay attention to footwear.

Product Name: Oshare Hair Mell-chan Suggested Retail Price: ¥4,950 (¥4,500 excluding tax) Target Age: 3 years and older Set Contents: Long Hair Mell-chan doll, dress, pants, headband, comb, shoes, First BOOK Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Product Name: Omeme Pachikuri Nene-chan Suggested Retail Price: ¥4,730 (¥4,300 excluding tax) Target Age: 1.5 years and older Set Contents: Nene-chan doll, wearable diaper, baby overall, brush, First Guide Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Product Name: Cleaning Robot & Wiper Set Suggested Retail Price: ¥1,760 (¥1,600 excluding tax) Target Age: 3 years and older Set Contents: Cleaning robot, wiper Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Product Name: Basic Shoe Set Suggested Retail Price: ¥1,430 (¥1,300 excluding tax) Target Age: 3 years and older Set Contents: Ribbon shoes, ribbon socks, bunny shoes Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

◆ New collaboration items with Sanrio characters for Mell-chan dress-up outfits!

New collaboration products with Sanrio are arriving in the Mell-chan series: "Cinnamoroll ♡ Sparkling Dress" and "Sanrio Characters ♡ Rainy Day Set." The "Cinnamoroll ♡ Sparkling Dress" includes a gorgeous dress with Cinnamoroll's design and a cute headdress recreating his signature "big ears." It's a complete coordinated set down to the shoes. The "Sanrio Characters ♡ Rainy Day Set" features many Sanrio characters all over the poncho and umbrella. The rain boots come in designs for "Cinnamoroll" and "Kuromi." The umbrella can be held in the palms of Mell-chan and her friends. Enjoy dress-up play with Mell-chan and her friends using these cute Sanrio character sets!

Product Name: Cinnamoroll ♡ Sparkling Dress Suggested Retail Price: ¥2,640 (¥2,400 excluding tax) Target Age: 3 years and older Set Contents: Headdress, dress, shoes Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Product Name: Sanrio Characters ♡ Rainy Day Set Suggested Retail Price: ¥2,640 (¥2,400 excluding tax) Target Age: 3 years and older Set Contents: Poncho, umbrella, rain boots Release Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

◆ Mell-chan Kids' Lunch

The "Mell-chan Kids' Lunch," which was very popular last year, is back! It's packed with children's favorite salmon onigiri, cute octopus sausages, fluffy juicy hamburgers, and crispy fried shrimp, all in the "Mell-chan Bento Set"'s rabbit-shaped lunchbox, just like Mell-chan's favorite. *Sales will resume at Toy Kingdoms nationwide. Product Name: Mell-chan Kids' Lunch Sales Price: ¥1,800 (tax included) *The image is from Toy Kingdom (Okayama). It is also sold at Karuizawa Toy Kingdom, Minami Chita Toy Kingdom, and Tojo Lake Toy Kingdom, but the contents may vary by facility.

◆ Mell-chan Rabbit Plush ♡ Pinky Coord

A new item has arrived in the Toy Kingdom × Mell-chan collaboration coord ♡ Featuring a hooded item with bunny ears and lace on the sleeves...