Too cute to eat: Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma wagashi set for release

Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma (リラックマ＆コリラックマ) traditional Japanese sweets are set to go on sale at Lawson convenience stores from April 25. 

Brought to us by the people at  BANDAI Candy (株式会社バンダイ キャンディ), the super popular 'healing' character, Rilakkuma, and sidekick, mischievous Korilakkuma, will appear in wagashi form under the label Tabemasu Rilakkuma (Eat Rilakkuma (?)) at Lawson convenience stores nationwide (Sorry, except Okinawa). Each edible character is set to retail for 280 yen (inc. tax).

Actually, there's more thought that's gone into the slogan Tabemasu Rilakkuma than might first appear. Tabemasu, in this case, is an abbreviation of edible mascot (食べられるマスコット), part of a series of belly filling characters, each made from your wagashi standards like red bean paste, sugar, and mochi.

As one might have guessed, these edible mascots are not just about the taste; they're also about the craftsmanship, and an appearance so charming it makes them hard to, well, destroy in our mouths, if we can put it that way.

The appearance of Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma in wagashi form is the latest in a line of character-based delicacies that have included (unlucky) figures from Disney, Doraemon and ONE PIECE. 

The characters have been made with attention to detail; ears, eyes, tails and all the rest (well, not quite) are all present and correct. Squatting down and staring their demise in the face with longing eyes, potential consumers are going to face a tricky decision as to where to take that first bite.

While both characters will have red bean paste as a part of their makeup, Rilakkuma will have a 'pudding' taste, and Korilakkuma, milk.

Tabemasu Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma will be on sale between April 25 and May 7, at Lawson convenience stores (head to the ‘chilled dessert’ section). 

Rilakkuma is the creation of San-X Co., Ltd., who introduced the character in Sept. 2003.

Fancy giving these Rilakkuma and Korilakuma (リラックマ＆コリラックマ) traditional Japanese sweets a try?  Seen any other cool sweets in Japan we should know about?  Let us know in the comments.

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Source and images: @Press