SoKawaii – September
“After School Party”
Hello again and welcome back to another subscription box review! Today let’s take a good look at what was included in Septembers’ box from SoKawaii. The Japanese monthly subscription box service that gathers a number of super cute and sometimes exclusive items each month, packs them neatly into a very striking box and ships them right to your doorstep. September’s box ran with the theme of ‘After School Party’, as the new school semester starts for many of you out there. So let’s get started with our usual SoKawaii info!
For those of you that don’t know – SoKawaii is a company based in Japan, home of practically everything kawaii (the Japanese word for cute). They create monthly subscription boxes, jam packed with 100% licensed products from brands such as Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Sanrio, Studio Ghibli and more. The items range from plushies to Gachapon, little figures, stationary, lifestyle, kitchenware and more. The staff at SoKawaii handpicks 5 to 7 cute & useful items exclusive to Japan, pack them up in a very decorative box and send it straight to your doorstep each month. You can also check out their Instagram for even more info and insights into what is currently trending in Japanese arcades and stores. As well as sneak peeks into what they could be including in next month’s box. They also listen to what you would like to be included in future boxes, by asking across their social media accounts. So make sure to have your opinions heard over on their social media posts, particularly their Instagram one – https://www.instagram.com/sokawaii/
Our first item this month is perfectly timed with going back to school, as we all received this Himouto! Umaru-chan pencil case. From the popular and short lived 2015 anime, we get this slim pencil case that is entirely decorated in Umaru-chans’ face. Featuring 13 various facial expressions that you are sure to experience throughout an entire school day! Like I mentioned it is fairly slim, so no point expecting to fit in a scientific calculator. Ideal for a couple of pens & pencils, as well as that all important Tipp-Ex pen so you can doodle a few mustaches on your new pencil case.
Moving on, we have a rather handy foldable straw and case from Sanrio. Available in four character designs, including Kuromi, My Melody, Cinnamoroll and Pompompurin. This set comes with two foldable straws, a cleaning brush and a small case that could very easily be mistaken for an airpod case. Now I say this is handy for the simple reason, those that have braces will find this incredibly useful.
Our next item features the wonderful keeper of the Clow Cards – Cardcaptor Sakura. In this mini ring notebook, with a hardcover and star shaped cut out design that showcases Sakura on the front page. Also on each individual page there is a little Kero-chan on the bottom corner. The pages are also dotted on the inside edge, so they can be easily be torn away for cute notes.
We return once again to Sanrio, with this My Melody magnet clip. A pretty useful magnet to keep on your fridge, to keep those all important school calendars or class timetables on hand. It has a fairly strong clip on it, as well as a pretty powerful magnet which is a plus.
And now we get to our final item for this month, with this Pompompurin Sakura plushie bag. Not only is Sanrio’s favourite Golden Retriever mascot carrying its own sakura flower, but he has also been dyed a soft pink color to match. This bag is so incredibly soft, if you could remove the straps it would make a great plush to just cuddle. However this plush is indeed a bag and a rather spacious one at that. Not only was I able to fit my phone lengthways, I would easily get in a wallet and keys. You could very possibly be able to go out for an entire day and still manage to just use this handbag for your necessities. It does have a rather long strap as well. When extended to its last it does come to just above my hip – and I’m 5ft 2”. As for practicality, I don’t know what way you would style your outfit around this bag. It is incredibly girly and from where I live, it would be seen as incredibly childish to walk around with. Once again this is another item we have been sent that is either only going to get an outing at an anime convention or on the streets of Harajuku if one was lucky enough to go. Personally, I think SoKawaii needs to start rethinking exactly what they should be including in their boxes as I am strongly thinking of ending my subscription in the new year due to the impractical items such as this bag that are regularly featured. But hey, that is just my own personal opinion and taste.
So that is everything that was included in Septembers’ box from SoKawaii. Let me know what you thought about it in the comments below, or tag us across our social media. For me, this month’s box was a bit of a let down. Having received yet another notebook, straw set and plush bag. The same sorts of items are being repeated a bit too often now for my taste. Although most are indeed practical, there is such a thing as having too much of one thing. Either way, let’s continue on with how YOU can order your very own subscription to SoKawaii!
So here is the price breakdown of the box each month and the savings you can get. SoKawaii are back to shipping their boxes via Japan Post, so delivery may take a number of weeks. Whether you subscribe month to month, or for their 3, 6 or even 12 month package options – there are savings to be had.
1 Month – $35.00 (€29.00mo roughly)
3 Months – $33.50 (€28.00mo roughly)
6 Months – $32.00 (€26.50mo roughly)
12 Months – $31.50 (€26.00mo roughly)
Better yet, here is a $3 discount code that you can use on your first box by clicking this link!
http://sokawaii.refr.cc/maryhealy
Now if you enjoyed September’s box, then just wait for Octobers’! It’s theme is “Too Cute To Spook”, which will feature a number of items from Sanrio, Pokémon and Twisted Wonderland. That box is already sold out and on the way to me and will include an exclusive Cinnamoroll plush. Stay tuned to SoKawaiis’ social media, as they announced their themes, sneak peaks and opinion polls on what fans want to see next in their boxes. They are very active on their Instagram and really listen to what their customers are looking for – so go have your say now! Also make sure and use that special discount code I left you all above!
