UNIQLO announces new Chiikawa collab will launch this June

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Uniqlo is set to release a new collection of apparel featuring several cute and funny designs based on the popular Chiikawa series.

The “Chiikawa x Nagano no Kuma” UT (Uniqlo T-shirt) collaboration features an array of designs showcasing popular characters created by the beloved illustrator Nagano, promising a unique blend of cuteness and the artist’s distinctive, often humorous, worldview.

nagano no kuma
Nagano has create a number of character apart from Chiikawa, including Nagano’s Bear (Joke Bear)

Uniqlo’s UT line is their flagship range of graphic T-shirts and new UT shirts are almost always collaborations with popular franchises or brands, featuring everything from anime, such as ONE PIECE, and video games including Super Mario.

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Previous Uniqlo UT collabs have included Pokémon, Gundam and One Piece

The partnership with Nagano, a celebrated Japanese illustrator, is a testament to the growing influence of his characters.

Nagano’s creations have garnered immense popularity, particularly the Chiikawa series, which has exploded into a cultural sensation in Japan and beyond.

Chiikawa
Chiikawa is one of Nagano’s most popular characters

Nagano no Kuma (Nagano’s Bear), also known as Joke Bear, is another character from the artist’s portfolio that is also growing in popularity.

Chiikawa Summer Collection

This new Uniqlo collection follows the announcement that their sister brand GU will be giving customers a second chance to order apparel from their ‘Chiikawa Summer Collection’ range later this month.

The designs will portray characters in a variety of relatable and humorous situations, including reacting dramatically after consuming spicy curry, showcasing Nagano’s signature expressive character reactions.

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The collection will feature eight distinct designs, evenly split between women and kids sizes:

Womans White T-Shirt

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Womans Pink T-Shirt

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Womans Blue T-Shirt

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Womans Black T-Shirt

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Kids White T-Shirt

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Kids Green T-Shirt

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Kids Purple T-Shirt

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Kids Black T-Shirt

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The womens shirts will be priced at 1,500 yen each, while the  kid shirts will be priced at 990 yen each.

This pricing strategy makes the collection accessible to a wide audience, allowing both adult fans and younger enthusiasts to sport their favorite characters.

The exact release date for the “Chiikawa x Nagano no Kuma” UT collection has not yet been announced beyond having been stated as “late June 2025”.

Source: Official Website

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