Sanrio's biannual exhibition of new products, "SANRIO EXPO 2014," held twice a year in Tokyo and Osaka, opened on September 9th. The Tokyo exhibition will run until the 12th, showcasing products to be sold this year and proposing corporate projects and collaborations. A press preview was held for related parties on the 8th, the eve of the event. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Hello Kitty's birth, and the company has collaborated with various companies and brands and held numerous related events. This time, the focus will be on My Melody and Little Twin Stars, who both celebrate their 40th anniversaries in 2015. Events and campaigns will be held throughout 2015. My Melody's key visual for the 40th anniversary is based on the motif of "Maryland," a forest rich in nature where kindness makes hearts bloom with flowers. For Little Twin Stars, the company created a key visual for the 40th anniversary, expressing the desire for everyone's hearts to shine like "a sparkling jewel that never fades." Each design features a pink-based, pale pastel hue. "In stark contrast to Hello Kitty's pop aesthetic, the visuals express a gentle, adorable quality. They're definitely not aimed at children, but rather cherish the beloved characters from 40 years ago, creating designs that will delight even longtime fans," said a Sanrio representative. The exhibition will also feature original concept art and sketches by past designers of My Melody and Little Twin Stars. These will be showcased at exhibitions scheduled to be held at art museums and department stores from summer 2015 onward. Plans are also underway to sell merchandise featuring the revived designs. Furthermore, My Melody will be available in collaboration with a variety of apparel brands, including LIZ LISA, HONEY BUNCH, and Rady, while Little Twin Stars will be available in collaboration with CONVERSE, LOWRYS FARM, and LODISPOTTO. Other key projects announced at the exhibition include "HELLO KITTY MEN," a new men's brand launched in earnest to explore new possibilities for Hello Kitty. From September 10th to 16th, the brand will host an event at Hankyu Men's Tokyo, including an exhibition of T-shirt art by art director Oki Sato. Next year, the brand plans to release products centered around collaborations with other brands, and the venue will showcase a sneak peek of authentic items such as shirts, knitwear, and coats. "It's a bold project with some experimental elements, so we'll have to wait and see how the products turn out before we know," said the person in charge. Details were also announced for "The Nutcracker," a much-anticipated film scheduled for release on November 29th to commemorate Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary. The film is a "brightly colored musical fantasy" that transcends just listening and seeing, allowing viewers to experience a completely new fantasy. Collaborative Hello Kitty merchandise will also be released to coincide with the film's release. Furthermore, Sanrio's band-themed character project "SHOW BY ROCK!!" will begin airing as an animated series in 2015. This will also be a new venture for Sanrio. "This time, the main focus is on celebrating the 40th anniversary of My Melody and Little Twin Stars, but we are also planning new collaborations and product developments for other characters, such as Pompompurin, Kirimi-chan, and Gudetama, who all ranked highly in the Character Awards 2014. A Pompompurin Cafe is scheduled to open in Harajuku in October, so please keep an eye out for that as well," said the same person in charge.