It’s like a fidget spinner, but amped up by about 1,000 percent.
As one of the world’s most popular Japanese characters, Hello Kitty has mountains of merchandise on the market. Between home and kitchen goods, fashion items, foodstuffs, and of course, toys and keychains, Hello Kitty fans are likely able to furnish and supply their entire house with Hello Kitty merchandise. And why not?
But with so many products coming out all the time, there are bound to be some strange items out there. Take the Hello Kitty Happy Morijo Set, which is a Hello Kitty decorated set of spiritually purifying salts. A little bizarre, but with a purpose, at least. What we can’t figure out the purpose of is this ridiculous Hello Kitty toy that author and netizen Souhei Wakusaka (@wakusaka) picked up in Vietnam:
▼ “Look! I bought this toy in Vietnam. I have no idea what they were thinking when they designed it. Sound is a must!”
「どんな企画書を書いて開発したんだ」という玩具をベトナムで買ったから、見て。必ず音アリで見て pic.twitter.com/eITGwhR89j
— ワクサカソウヘイ 新刊『出セイカツ記』(河出書房新社) (@wakusaka) March 4, 2019
The toy looks normal enough. It’s Hello Kitty’s usual cute face, with the red ribbon on her right ear. There’s some weird cylindrical thing coming out of her head, but it’s easily ignored. Then Wakusaka pushes a button at the top of the cylinder and Hello Kitty’s head launches onto the ground, transforming into some kind of spinning disco ball of flashing lights as it plays the synthwave intro to Axel F, the theme song to the 1980’s film Beverly Hills Cop.
Why? For whom? And for what purpose? That, we cannot say. Hello Kitty has been known to take on the role of a police officer, but a disco ball is probably something she’s never tried before. We can’t say we hate it, though. The ’80s synthwave played at super speed with its weird dubstep intervals, coupled with the spinning head’s bright flashing lights mysteriously make us want to party, in spite of the fact that any trace of Hello Kitty disappears once her head starts spinning.
Perhaps the best part is the end, when the spinning runs out of momentum, and the music just sputters out as the head slowly spins to a stop, once again returning to view the cute, innocent Hello Kitty features. We’re left feeling like we just experienced something inexplicably profound, while at the same time like something was taken from us when the music stopped.
It’s a deep experience, one also appreciated by Japanese netizens:
“What have they done to our Hello Kitty?”
“This is why people say that Hello Kitty can’t say no to a job.”
“Why is the ‘Beverly Hills Cop‘ theme song playing to a Hello Kitty toy?”
“All of my exhaustion from work seems ridiculous now. Thank you very much.”
“I think I want one.”
“I don’t understand why it’s Hello Kitty’s head.”
“Sanrio must be thinking, ‘What the heck is this?!'”
By the way, there is also a Doraemon version playing the same song, and a Pikachu version that sings its own catchy Pikachu techno rap, which should not, by any means, be missed. These were bought in Taiwan, and there were apparently other characters available too, so these little gems can probably be found across East and Southeast Asia.
https://twitter.com/Tenyearsgone03/status/864117368112283649Yes, it seems that Hello Kitty really can’t so no to a job, otherwise she might have said no to being subjected to this. Either way though, we’re glad it exists, and can’t wait to get our hands on one ourselves.
Source: Twitter/@wakusaka via Hamster Sokuhou
Featured Image: Twitter/@wakusaka

We get our paws on all 50 Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys at McDonald’s Japan!
Hello Kitty x Mazinger Z die-cast crossover toys unveiled with anime short
New Hello Kitty McDonald’s Japan Happy Meal toys are here, and Kitty’s sister is part of the set
Hello Kitty’s workload about to get even heavier with the introduction of Battleship Kitty
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon
Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Studio Ghibli mini towels add anime flair to a Japanese cultural tradition
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about using manga for studying and the top series for learning
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
She doesn’t need beer goggles to look cute, but we try Hello Kitty Beer anyway
Hello Kitty would look cute even if you peeled away all her flesh, new toy line shows us【Photos】
Hello Kitty Now Serving Herself Up as Main Dish for Thanksgiving!
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Suntanned Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys on their way to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Do you need this unnecessary Santa disco light from Francfranc this Christmas? Yes, yes you do
Human knights who fight for Lords Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll? Sanrio launches fantasy franchise
Hello Kitty adds Japanese exorcism to her work repertoire, Twitter baffled and amused
Puma teams up with Hello Kitty in Japan for limited edition sneakers and sportswear
Hello Kitty cosplays as gun-slinging schoolgirl from new “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun” movie
Hello Kitty/Yu-Gi-Oh crossover Happy Meal toys appear, but far, far away from Japan
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】