What is HAPIDANBUI?
"Hapidanbui" (HAPIDANBUI) is a six-member boy band formed by San rio in 2020 .
Popular characters have come together and are having fun under the positive slogan , "Everything will be okay!"
This project features characters from the 80s and 90s—who previously enjoyed their own heyday—
have been “rebranded to suit the modern era.”
👉 Official Page
https://www.sanrio.co.jp/characters/hapidanbui/
🎤 Meaning and Concept of the Unit Name
"Hapidanbui" refers to
“boys who want to be happy” and
.
Having once reached their peak as Sanrio characters, they perform with the belief that they can “shine again” and “overcome any hardship together with everyone,” and their popularity among fans continues to grow year by year.
The Background of Happy Danbui's Creation
In recent years, Sanrio has
✔ The retro boom
✔ Gen Z’s “muted-cute” trend
✔ The growing number of male fans
.
This led to the creation of
“an all-boys unit.”
List of Hapidanbui Members
Pochacco
Debut: 1989
A boy full of curiosity who loves sports.
His trademark is his fluffy white body and black ears.
He is a regular top contender in the Sanrio Character Awards and serves as the "center" of Happy Danbui.
Personality
・Cheerful and optimistic
・A bit of a space cadet
・The type who gets along with everyone
Charming Points
✔ Simple, modern design
✔ Popular with both men and women
✔ Wide range of merchandise
Pochip
Tuxedo Sam
Debut: 1979
A stylish and gentlemanly penguin.
He is known for his bow tie and tuxedo.
He’s actually a collector at heart and is said to own a large collection of bow ties.
Personality
・Polite
・Intelligent
・A bit of a klutz
Charming Points
✔ Strong retro vibe and emotional appeal
✔ Popular with adult women
✔ Blue-based color scheme makes it easy to use
Pochip
Kerokero Keroppi
Debut: 1988
A lively little frog boy.
He loves adventure and has a natural leadership quality.
Personality
・Active
・Strong sense of justice
・Caring toward friends
Attractive Traits
✔ Vivid green looks great on her
✔ Very popular with kids
✔ Has a reassuring presence
Pochip
Bad Batsumaru
Debut: 1993
A cool, slightly mischievous penguin.
He’s sarcastic, but somehow you can’t help but like him.
Personality
・Rebellious
・Does things at his own pace
・Actually kind
Charming Points
✔ Has many male fans
✔ Black-based style perfect for fashion
✔ Perfect for street style
Pochip
Hangyodong
Debut: 1985
A merman born in China.
Self-proclaimed aspiring hero.
Personality
・A show-off
・Lonely
・Life of the party
Charming Traits
✔ A prime example of a comeback trend
✔ Dusty blue is on-trend
✔ Instagram-worthy face
A character whose popularity has skyrocketed since the Reiwa era began.
Pochip
Peckle the Duck
Debut: 1990
A gentle-natured male duck.
He loves to sing.
Personality
・Calm
・Kind
・Soothing
Attractive Traits
✔ Perfect for those who love pastel colors
✔ Strongly evokes a cozy, heartwarming feeling
✔ Surprisingly, it has a dedicated fan base
Pochip
Why Happy Danbu's Balance Is So Strong
You’ll see why when you line up the six of them.
✔ Cheerful (Pochacco)
✔ Cool (Batsumaru)
✔ Humor (Hangyodon)
✔ Retro (Sam)
✔ Classic (Keroppi)
✔ Soothing (Peckle)
No character overlap.
This is “why they work as a unit.”
Why are they popular now? 5 reasons
① The Retro Revival Boom
It’s a perfect fit for the Heisei boom and Heisei revival. “Heisei favorites” are making a comeback as “Reiwa favorites.”
② The novelty of an all-male unit
They shattered the conventional wisdom that “cute = for girls.”
The re-evaluation of groups like Hangyodong and Pocchacco is particularly notable.
③ Modern Color Palette
Plenty of muted and nuanced colors.
④ A more “laid-back” vibe than in the past
- In the past (1970s–1990s)
→ Slightly more realistic, with longer limbs - Now (2000s onward)
→ Rounded, shorter, simpler, with softer facial expressions.
⑤ Strength of Merchandise
Limited-edition items frequently appear in the official shop.
👉 Merchandise List
https://shop.sanrio.co.jp/search?q=%E3%81%AF%E3%81%B4%E3%81%A0%E3%82%93%E3%81%B6%E304%84
Fan nickname: "Danbi"
The official fan name is "Danbi."
They have a strong presence on social media, and the fan community is growing.
A look that makes you want to take photos
The "strong presence" of Hapidanbui after the relaunch.
The fan base I observed on-site consists of:
- Gen Z in their teens and 20s
- The “nostalgic generation” in their 30s and 40s
- Surprisingly, many male groups visit as well
It’s not just “cute”—there’s a “modern group vibe” to it.
The appeal of Hapidanbui lies more in their “group dynamic” than in individual members.
Places in Harajuku where you can meet Hapidanbui
Munyugurumi Patio Laforet Harajuku Has Been Renovated “Munyugurumi Patio,” located in the heart of Harajuku at Laforet Harajuku, has reopened after renovations. The biggest highlight of this renovation is—...
Sanrio Harajuku Store: Opened in December 2025 on Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The store is located on the site of the former Harajuku Alta, which had long been a symbol of Harajuku. Lines formed immediately after opening, attracting Sanrio fans from both Japan and abroad...
C-pla Takeshita Street Store When you think of Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, it’s a popular spot where fashion and dessert trends converge. Among them, the capsule toy specialty store “C-pla Takeshita...” is attracting a lot of attention...
It is also available at other stores such as Kiddyland, 390-Yen Shop, Picnic Harajuku Store, Daiso Takeshita Street Store, and Jeans Mate Takeshita Street Store...
Summary
Hapidanbui is
✔ Nostalgia × Modernity
✔ A 6-member boy group
✔ A successful rebranding case
and has established a strategic position within Sanrio.