Have you ever come across Pusheen, the round, laid-back cat character from the United States? With her plump silhouette and relaxed expression, she may already be familiar to anyone who has used stickers or animated GIFs on social media.

Now, Pusheen is joining forces with Japanese singer Ado for a collaboration arriving in Tokyo's Shibuya district.

©Cloud Nine © 2026 Pusheen Corp. | photo ©FASHION HEADLINE
The first Japanese edition of the Ado × Pusheen POP UP STORE runs from October 16 to 31, 2026, at HMV&BOOKS SHIBUYA. The collaboration originated from Ado's enthusiasm for Pusheen, a character she has openly admired for years.

Following its debut in Chicago in summer 2026, the project now makes its way to Tokyo. The Tokyo event also celebrates Ado's birthday on October 24, adding a personal dimension to a collaboration inspired by her affection for Pusheen.

From Webcomic to Global Phenomenon: The Story of Pusheen

Pusheen is a cat character created in the United States in 2010.

Gentle, curious, easygoing, and delightfully plump, this tabby cat enjoys blogging, snacking, and taking naps. Her playful transformations are part of her appeal, from Pusheenicorn, a unicorn version of the character, to Pusheen Pancake, which imagines her as a stack of pancakes.

Pusheen began as a webcomic. In 2013, the character appeared in licensed stickers for Facebook and Messenger, helping her reach an international audience through digital communication.

Her simple design and expressive gestures convey emotions without the need for words. This accessibility has made Pusheen particularly well suited to a culture in which people share feelings through stickers, GIFs, and visual messages.

©Cloud Nine © 2026 Pusheen Corp. | photo ©FASHION HEADLINE
According to Pusheen Corp., the character has approximately 13 million followers across social media platforms. Pusheen images and GIFs are estimated to have been shared more than 20 billion times, while merchandise ranging from plush toys and accessories to books is available in more than 60 countries.

While Japanese character culture has long found enthusiastic audiences overseas, Pusheen followed a different path. Born from American internet culture, she became widely recognized through digital communication before expanding into physical merchandise and a global character brand.

Her evolution illustrates one way contemporary characters can cross borders and become part of everyday culture.

A Collaboration Inspired by Ado's Love for Pusheen

What makes Ado × Pusheen distinctive is the personal connection behind it: Ado has long been a fan of the character.

Ado made her major-label debut in 2020 with Usseewa, attracting widespread attention for her powerful, instantly recognizable voice and distinctive approach to musical expression. Her career has since expanded beyond Japan to international audiences.

The collaboration brings together a Japanese music artist with a growing global presence and an American character whose popularity has spread through digital culture.

©Cloud Nine © 2026 Pusheen Corp. | photo ©FASHION HEADLINE
According to Pusheen Corp., the project was initiated following an expression of interest from Ado. The first Ado × Pusheen collaboration pop-up was held in Chicago, Pusheen's hometown, in summer 2026. The Tokyo pop-up marks the second chapter of the collaboration.

Collaborations between musicians and characters are hardly unusual. In this case, however, the starting point was an artist's genuine affection for a character she had followed as a fan.

Some visitors may discover Pusheen through Ado's music, while others may become interested in Ado through their familiarity with Pusheen. Bringing together two creative worlds with different audiences opens the door to new cultural encounters.

Original Artwork and Plush Toys: Bringing Two Visual Worlds Together

The Ado × Pusheen POP UP STORE in Shibuya features merchandise incorporating original artwork created specifically for the collaboration, with items supervised by Ado.

The visuals combine Pusheen's soft, rounded form with character imagery inspired by Ado. The contrast between Pusheen's approachable appearance and Ado's distinctive visual identity is central to the collaboration's appeal.

©Cloud Nine © 2026 Pusheen Corp. | photo ©FASHION HEADLINE
Among the featured items is a special collaboration plush toy, designed and manufactured by Pusheen Corp. to celebrate Ado's birthday on October 24.

The merchandise includes a 23 cm plush toy (¥5,280), a plush bag keychain (¥3,630), a long-sleeved T-shirt (¥5,940), a card case (¥2,145), puffy stickers (¥715), and two mini tote bag designs (¥2,640 each). All prices include tax.

These products translate the collaboration's visual identity into objects that can be worn, carried, displayed, or incorporated into everyday life.

©Cloud Nine © 2026 Pusheen Corp. | photo ©FASHION HEADLINE
In addition to the Shibuya pop-up, collaboration merchandise will be available through the Ado Official Goods Shop beginning at 8:00 PM JST on October 16.

The online store offers a different selection from the pop-up, although some products will be available through both channels. The collaboration plush toy will be sold at both the physical store and the official online shop.

Pusheen Begins a New Chapter in Japan

The collaboration also marks a new stage in Pusheen's presence in Japan.

Beginning in autumn 2026, Pusheen Corp. is expanding its brand activities in Japan, with plans to develop licensing and branding initiatives that introduce the character's playful world to a broader Japanese audience.

©Cloud Nine © 2026 Pusheen Corp. | photo ©FASHION HEADLINE
For those who first encountered Pusheen through Facebook or Messenger stickers, the collaboration offers an opportunity to reconnect with a familiar digital character through physical merchandise and a dedicated pop-up store.

For Ado's fans, it provides an introduction to a character that holds personal significance for the singer.

Music, character design, and digital culture converge in Ado × Pusheen. What began with one artist's affection for a beloved character has developed into a collaboration that crosses national and cultural boundaries.