{"rewrite":{"id":"r_a04245b39c0fa57363298b6d","clusterId":"c_f84f9a08a968b1b66f535f7d","slug":"kawaii-lab-launches-character-brand-kawaii-friends-for-all-5-groups","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"KAWAII LAB. Launches Character Brand KAWAII FRIENDS for All 5 Groups","summary":"The idol project KAWAII LAB. has launched a new character brand, KAWAII FRIENDS, with official characters for all five groups: FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, SWEET STEADY, CUTIE STREET, and MORE STAR. The characters were revealed at the KAWAII LAB. SESSION 2026 SUMMER event on July 11 in Tokyo. Going forward, the brand will be used across social media, events, and merchandise to expand the groups' worldviews.","whyItMatters":"The character brand extends the idol project's IP into a format that can cross language and generational barriers, supporting global reach beyond live performances.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eUnder the brand concept \u0026#34;From Harajuku to the World,\u0026#34; the characters are designed to deliver the groups\u0026#39; aesthetics without relying on language. The first wave includes five sets of characters, each tied to a specific group: FRUITS ZIPPER\u0026#39;s \u0026#34;Fruits-chan,\u0026#34; CANDY TUNE\u0026#39;s \u0026#34;Ame-chun,\u0026#34; SWEET STEADY\u0026#39;s \u0026#34;Bouquet-chan,\u0026#34; CUTIE STREET\u0026#39;s \u0026#34;Nyansuto,\u0026#34; and MORE STAR\u0026#39;s \u0026#34;Twinkle☆.\u0026#34; The brand will also appear at the urban festival \u0026#34;Tokyo KAWAII Summer Play 2026\u0026#34; in August, with a balloon park at Shibuya Sakura Stage and an Airbnb collaboration offering exclusive merchandise and event access.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFRUITS ZIPPER\u003c/strong\u003e: 7 characters, \u0026#34;Fruits-chan,\u0026#34; design by Shoko Nagamine\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCANDY TUNE\u003c/strong\u003e: 7 characters, \u0026#34;Ame-chun\u0026#34; with candy motif, design by DAF\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSWEET STEADY\u003c/strong\u003e: Characters \u0026#34;Bouquet-chan\u0026#34; with flower motif, design by asuka\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCUTIE STREET\u003c/strong\u003e: 8 cat characters \u0026#34;Nyansuto\u0026#34; with jewel names, design by Natsumi Sato\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMORE STAR\u003c/strong\u003e: 9 star-themed characters \u0026#34;Twinkle☆,\u0026#34; design by Neru Horikoshi\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","blueskyPost":"KAWAII LAB. launched a character brand KAWAII FRIENDS, with official characters for all five groups. The characters debuted at a July 11 event and will be used across social media, events, and merchandise to reach global audiences.","twitterPost":"KAWAII LAB. launched KAWAII FRIENDS, a character brand with official characters for FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, SWEET STEADY, CUTIE STREET, and MORE STAR. Debut at July 11 event. Balloon park and Airbnb collab coming in August.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"The idol project KAWAII LAB. has introduced a new character brand, KAWAII FRIENDS, with official characters for all five groups. The characters were revealed at a summer event in Tokyo and will be used for social media, events, and merchandise. A balloon park and an Airbnb collaboration are planned for August.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"KAI-YOU\",\"url\":\"https://kai-you.net/article/95946\",\"title\":\"\\\"KAWAII LAB.\\\" Launches Character Brand: Official Characters for FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, and 5 Other Groups Announced\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4239,"outputTokens":2488,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1783932208,"createdAt":"2026-07-13T08:35:18.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-13T08:37:28.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-13T08:35:18.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_f84f9a08a968b1b66f535f7d","canonicalTitle":"「KAWAII LAB.」がキャラクターブランドを始動　FRUITS ZIPPERやCANDY TUNEら5組の公式キャラが発表","representativeArticleId":"a_a4cf6c1b0b3a98433c572b5c","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"announcement\",\"domain\":\"music\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-13T06:52:00.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-13T06:52:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-13T08:37:29.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"KAI-YOU","url":"https://kai-you.net/article/95946","title":"「KAWAII LAB.」がキャラクターブランドを始動　FRUITS ZIPPERやCANDY TUNEら5組の公式キャラが発表"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":[],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"announcement","domain":"music","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":null}