Japan's bullet trains are already the envy of most of the world, but the proposed Hello Kitty bullet train may just make a few more countries envious. This proposed concept all started with the Neon Genesis Evangelion-themed bullet train, that entered service in 2015, and drew considerable attention for its anime mecha designs. The current anime train is set to end its run in May 2018 and the West Japan Railway Company already decided that the next train will be Hello Kitty-themed.
Early renderings of the Hello Kitty bullet train currently show the vehicles exterior, but it is safe to say that the pink and bows theme will carry into the trains interior. Much like the Genesis Evangelion-themed bullet train, the Hello Kitty bullet train will also most likely sell merchandise both exclusive to the train and not.
Image Credit: West Japan Railway Company
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Anime-themed Trains
- Designing more bullet trains with popular anime themes can create a new form of tourism that targets fans of these anime.
- Limited-edition Merchandise
- Creating exclusive merchandise for themed trains can create a new revenue stream for railway companies.
- Cultural Collaborations
- Collaborating with popular icons from various cultures can lead to more creative designs for future bullet trains.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Railway
- The railway industry can tap into the interest of anime fans by releasing more anime-themed bullet trains.
- Tourism
- Anime-themed bullet trains can become a new tourism attraction for fans of anime, creating a new niche market for tourism industries.
- Merchandising
- Designing and selling exclusive merchandise for themed bullet trains can be an opportunity for the merchandising industry to expand into a new market.
