Dear Daniel and Hello Kitty wave their miracle heart lights. (Photographer © Shaun Fernando)
At the heart of Sanrio Puroland, where happy dreams come alive and friendships flourish, stands the majestic Wisdom Tree. Beneath its protective branches hangs the Bell of Happiness, where visitors wish joy for their loved ones.
It is around this symbolic tree at the center of Hello Kitty's magical world that the Miracle Gift Parade unfolds.
Beyond Expectations
Sanrio Puroland is a must-visit for Sanrio enthusiasts and anyone curious about Japanese kawaii culture. It offers a variety of experiences including themed rides, colorful parades, and musicals in the characters' world.
The Miracle Gift Parade is a standout attraction at Sanrio Puroland, but it isn't your typical theme park parade. I would describe it more as a 360-degree musical featuring exceptional performers and fun choreography. With acrobatics, catchy music, mesmerizing lights, and colorful costumes, it captivates the audience.
During the parade, the whole Puro Village area of the theme park becomes a stage, creating an immersive experience where visitors become part of the story.
"Everywhere you look, there's a reminder of your favorite scene or character from Sanrio," shares Carey from San Francisco. He is visiting Sanrio Puroland for the first time with his daughter Avery.
"It's even better than I had hoped," Avery chimes in, noting that her favorite characters are Pochacco, Pompompurin, and Kuromi. Carey explains that he and his wife, who grew up loving Sanrio, now get to share that love with their daughter.
The Miracle Gift Parade
The roughly 25-minute show by Momoko Tsuchiya, the general producer of the Miracle Gift Parade, embodies the values of Hello Kitty and her many friends. While some may consider Sanrio Puroland as just for children, the show imparts a meaningful lesson for adults too, as I discovered for myself.
The story of the Miracle Gift Parade is set in Puro Village. At the heart of the village is the Wisdom Tree, which grew from a magical seed planted by the Strawberry King, the ruler of the peaceful and beautiful Strawberry Kingdom. The Wisdom Tree glows with the light of friendship and kindness. Sanrio characters dance alongside the Puro Fairies, spreading joy and smiles to all.
Their merriment is soon interrupted by the arrival of the three mysterious Queens of Darkness and their minions. They despise friendship, light, and happiness, threatening to extinguish the radiance of the Wisdom Tree forever.
Facing the Darkness
As the Queens wreak havoc, Hello Kitty steps forward with courage. Instead of calling for retaliation, she inspires her friends and the audience to choose compassion: "Everyone can feel like they are in the darkness sometimes. There are times when we don't want to see the light. But with kindness and compassion, we can get along with anyone and help each other through anything."
Together, the Sanrio characters send the Queens the "three hearts" that exist in all of us: kawaii (cuteness), nakayoku (friendship), and omoiyari (compassion). Visitors can join in by waving "miracle heart lights" which can be bought at the souvenir shop beforehand. These wands light up during the show and glow in rainbow colors at the show's climax.
Miraculously, everyone's compassion transforms the Queens of Darkness. They remember that they too possess the "three hearts," which had merely been hidden beneath their tough exteriors.
Why Three Hearts?
Momoko Tsuchiya, who has worked as the general producer of many shows and events at Sanrio Puroland, explains that the "three hearts" represent Hello Kitty's three messages. These messages are detailed in a book by Sanrio's founder Shintaro Tsuji, titled Special Message from the Strawberry King.
"Cuteness doesn't just refer to appearance or attire but also includes behavior, manner of speaking, and a lovable attitude," Tsuchiya explains. "As for friendship, if everyone around the world embraced kindness, we would all live peacefully and happily."
Citing Tsuji's book, she adds, "Hello Kitty's red ribbon over her left ear symbolizes the importance of small acts of friendship and how they connect us."
Finally, compassion is Hello Kitty's gift to all of us, representing the kindness that wells from her heart. "I think Hello Kitty is able to sense the sadness in the Queens' voices and their true desire to be friends with everyone," Tsuchiya reflects. "She understands that there's always more to every story."
United in Diversity
During the parade, the audience sits or stands in a circle, facing the Wisdom Tree and holding their miracle heart lights. The 360-degree nature of the parade naturally fosters a sense of togetherness.
"During the show, I want the audience to see the faces of others nearby or even across from them, as well as the changing colors of the miracle heart lights they are holding. This fosters a sense of togetherness," remarks Tsuchiya.
A little girl had smiled at me during the show, her eyes sparkling with the glow of her miracle heart light.
Furthermore, each character and dancing Puro Fairy is given a unique costume, bursting with a multitude of colors and lights. From sweets to musical instruments, not a single Puro Fairy wears the same theme, showcasing their individuality.
But they have something in common: the kawaii factor that unites them all, from the slice of cake on a Puro Fairy's head to Dear Daniel's funky pants, My Melody's fluorescent skirt, and the flowers adorning Cinnamoroll's head.
"The art director of this show is Sebastian Masuda, a leading figure in kawaii culture active in New York and beyond," Tsuchiya shares. In fact, Masuda is renowned as the "king of kawaii" and has directed performances for artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
What Inspired the Story?
"It takes a lot to move someone's heart," reflects Tsuchiya. "Whenever I create a new work, I always incorporate elements that have deeply inspired me."
Surprisingly, one of Tsuchiya's inspirations is rooted in her admiration for the Takarazuka Revue since her middle school days. "One of the most thrilling parts of Takarazuka Revue is the grand finale, where the performers descend a large staircase, the top star appears, and they all sing a song together," she reveals.
Likewise, there is an uplifting feeling at the finale of the Miracle Gift Parade. The Sanrio characters, Queens, and Puro Fairies dance together despite their differences, with the audience extending their miracle heart lights.
A Call to Kindness
Notably, in the Miracle Gift Parade, the Queens are referred to as the Queens of Darkness, not the Queens of Evil. "People aren't inherently good or bad. Everyone has both light and dark within them," says Tsuchiya. "Hello Kitty reaches out to those who might appear as villains but are actually just misunderstood."
This message is also embodied by the members of Hello Kitty's extensive Sanrio family. "Each character looks different and has unique personalities, yet they all come together at Sanrio Puroland. This inclusivity extends beyond the characters to include performers and the audience alike," says Tsuchiya. "Everyone can find a friend at Sanrio Puroland."
With the Queens of Darkness transformed through compassion, peace returns to Puro Village. Witnessing the transformation, the audience finds the courage to reflect on their own lives. Perhaps we can all contribute to a more inclusive, peaceful world by embracing each others' differences.
How to Watch Miracle Gift Parade
The Miracle Gift Parade at Sanrio Puroland is a musical show held daily (except when the theme park is closed) in the Puro Village area of Sanrio Puroland. The indoor theme park at Tama-Center Station is an approximately 30-minute train ride from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station.
To reach Puro Village, simply take the escalators and stairs down from the third floor, directly from the ticket barriers. This zone spans the first and second floors and includes shops, cute displays, and theaters.
This article is published in cooperation with Sanrio Company Ltd. All Sanrio characters and character images: ©️ 2024 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN
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Author: Miruka Adachi
