First up
Hello Kitty’s Superhero Alter Ego Ichigoman Gets Web Manga.
The first episode is live here
http://comip.jp/15/manga/comics/?title=ichigoman-01
It is interesting that Sanrio is bring back Ichigoman and combining with the Chogokin (think giant robot line. Sanrio also will bring back Dark Grapeman (I missed out getting the plush) and Hony Momo
By the way I do have an Ichigoman plush in my collection.
Next up She is not your typical cute and cuddly Red Panda
Sanrio Debuts Aggressive Retsuko TV Anime Shorts on April 2
What not to like a cute Red Panda that works in accounting office, has to put up with a load of crap and blows off steam with a little Death Metal karaoke. The first episode is upon Youtube.
Finally
Sanrio Boys Get Their Own Line of Merchandise
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-04-06/sanrio-boys-get-their-own-line-of-merchandise/.100740
Sanrio has announced in the past the Sanrio Danshi” (Sanrio Boys). The main plot is :
“The story is simple. It introduces Kōta Hasegawa, a high school boy that loves the yellow Pom Pom Purin dog. By mere coincidence, he ends up attending the same school as Yū Mizuno, a boy who likes the bunny My Melody. Yū tells Kōta that there’s nothing to be ashamed of for liking Sanrio’s cute characters. Together, Kōta, Yū, Shunsuke Yoshino, Ryō Nishimiya, and Seiichiro Minamoto learn to accept their love of the characters instead of feeling embarrassed.”
My question is what is the message is this just Bishōnen /Yaoi bait aimed at a female audience or a positive reinforcement of hey guys it OK to like cute Sanrio characters. If it was me, one of the boys will send a strong message I can be masculine and like Sanrio characters.