Japanese actress Eikura Nana was greeted by name by the Sanrio character Pom Pom Purin during a café opening event on May 24, 2026 [1].
The interaction highlights the cultural impact of Sanrio's character-driven experiences and the high visibility of celebrity endorsements in Japan's themed hospitality sector.
The event marked the opening of the "Pom Pom Purin Café," where the actress was invited to sample a collaborative "Blendy" potion. The event host, acting as the master of ceremonies, prompted the character to present the drink, saying, "Purin-kun, let's have Ms. Eikura drink this right away" [2].
In an unexpected turn, the character addressed the actress personally, saying, "Nana-san, please enjoy" [2]. This personal touch created what is described as a "mune-kyun," or heart-fluttering reaction, from the actress.
Eikura reacted with surprise and delight at the personal recognition. She said that she was happy that the character called her Nana-san and that the moment completely captured her attention [2].
The collaboration between the café and the Blendy brand aimed to create an immersive experience for guests. By integrating celebrity appearances with interactive character performances, the event sought to generate social media engagement and brand awareness for the new venue [1].
Throughout the opening, the atmosphere remained focused on the charm of the Sanrio character. The interaction between Eikura and Pom Pom Purin served as a centerpiece for the promotional footage released by ANNnewsCH [1].
“"Nana-san, please enjoy"”
This event exemplifies the 'kawaii' economy in Japan, where the emotional connection between consumers, celebrities, and characters is leveraged to drive commercial success. The use of a personalized greeting to trigger a specific emotional response—'mune-kyun'—demonstrates a calculated marketing strategy to create viral, relatable moments that enhance the brand image of both Sanrio and its corporate partners.
