After Hello Kitty made an appearance in Chicagoland last month, another cute little beloved character is checking in this weekend. In celebration of 20 years of stress-free laid-back living, “Rilakkuma” will be strolling into Chicago from July 15-17 as part of the Rilakkuma 20th Anniversary USA Tour.
Rilakkuma, which is a portmanteau of the words relax and the Japanese word for bear “kuma”, is according to creators San-X, a “continuously lazy and relaxed” brown bear and also “someone impossible to be hated by others.”
The cute little bear was created with the intention of breaking the stereotype of cute little characters always needing to be energetic. Instead, San-x insists that “you will be dragged into Rilakkuma’s world and become lazy and relaxed while watching everything Rilakkuma does.”
This weekend, from Saturday, July 15 through Monday, July 17, Rilakkuma along with his buddies Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and Chairoikoguma will be in Parking lot L of Woodfield Mall every day from 11 am until 7 pm.
Rilakkuma fans can participate in Rilakkuma-themed events, attend meet-and-greets, enjoy photo-ops, and buy exclusive merchandise such as a special USA Tour Plush with star-spangled ears as well as clothing, caps, backpacks, keychains and more.
Having begun in LA and stopped at five different cities across the U.S., this will be the tour’s sixth and final stop.
More information can be found at rilakkuma-usa-tour.com.