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Resellers Turn Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Exhibit into Chaos
Learn what happened and how the Tokyo National Museum is working to tame unruly crowds.
By Marin Akasaka
Videos of chaotic scenes from the newly opened exhibition celebrating Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary went viral on social media recently. Footage shows people storming into shops, shouting, and crowding exhibit halls, as long wait times and a lack of crowd control have led to frustration and disorder.
The exhibition Hello Kitty Exhibition — When I Change, Kitty Changes Too, held at the Tokyo National Museum, attracted massive crowds eager to view rare Hello Kitty memorabilia and purchase limited-edition merchandise, but reports of line-cutting, scalpers, and overcrowding have sparked heated discussions online.
Long waits and chaos
Videos shared on X capture chaotic scenes at the Hello Kitty exhibition, where large crowds rush in as staff members shout “Stop!” in English, trying to regain control. Inside the gift shop, the crowding intensifies, with visitors packed tightly and some screaming amid the crowd. Staff members repeatedly urge people not to push…
