Hello Kitty Grows Up (michelle lapid)

Hello Kitty is not just for kids anymore. The Hello Kitty vibrator or “massagers” are one of Japan's most talked about product when it was first introduced into the United States. This vibrator comes in in six colors—from classic pink, black, and to green; pocket size or for private matters, this vibrator is sure to hit the spot (no pun intended). Since the product has recently emerged and due to the controversy around it, the vibrator can be purchased on specialty online boutiques or to pop culture stores in Los Angeles (if anyone is really curious, email me and I will send links). Prices range from $25.00 to $75.00, depending on color, size, design, and ready availability.

Sanrio, the company that introduced the world to Japanese favorite characters, such as Hello Kitty, Badtz Maru, and etc, has had success is manufacturing products—from school supplies, to appliances, to candy and so on, they have been a staple in American pop culture. Genyo Ltd., a company that is also established in Japan, first introduced the vibrator in 1997 as a shoulder massager, which was sold and marketed that way, while Sanrio gave them the thumbs up to produce, without any hesitation. However, in 1999, people were realizing that this little massager could be used as a pleasure tool for many women, and soon, the innocent massager instantly became and adult cult item. Many vibrators were being used in Japanese adult films and were sold in vending machines in hotel rooms. The friction between Sanrio and Genyo ultimately led to the halting of these vibrators, and 10 years later, they started to reemerge.

I choose this item because growing up and to this very day, I adore Hello Kitty. There is something about her that draws me to the obnoxious that they sell that plaster her trademark face everywhere. I mean, she is just too cute, and especially how she is being re-marketed now. I remember going into Sanrio as a little girl, buying those grab bags that cost so much money and being overly excited when getting something Hello Kitty. Being in my 20's now, I still buy Hello Kitty junk and the stuff they sell now for adults has grown up tremendously. Hello Kitty for me as a child represented innocence and pureness, that “cute” and “adorable” was a special club for girls only. Now, to put an iconic figure on something that is a behind-close-doors topic, is a paradoxical statement and taboo on its own. The idea of sex in general, can make people feel very uncomfortable or inflate egos, depending on where we stand. But, too look at sex and how we achieve sexual pleasure on our own, has been a stigma. Suggesting that people are masturbating to reach orgasm and sexual peak, people like to snicker and comment on how they probably can't go find someone to get laid with. As an American society, it is not the quality of sexual pleasure we endure, but the quality of sex we are encouraged to pursue. Although I do believe that there are people who are talented in what they do, most people need to get off on their own and see no problem. By exploring our sexual desires by satisfying our own needs with options that are available, we know what feels good and what works. I feel that placing an icon with a product makes the experience comfortable, in a sense that it's just another product, with a familiar face versus something that may be overwhelming. However, my question is does that mean more women will purchase this product because it is a familiar character, rather than the other prototypes of the same caliber? Also, it is interesting to see the differences in marketing for these sex products for male and women, ranging from size, color, and type. I think people would be interested in this product for either exploring their own needs, to examining why people need these products, or to just say they have a Hello Kitty Vibrator.