Retired LU-Japan dean, author featured on podcast
Lakeland University-Japan Dean Emeritus Alan Brender was recently featured on a podcast to discuss his new book, “The Pink Tsunami: The Hello Kitty Kawaii Wave that has Swept the World,” published by Headpress.
Hello Kitty has been a cultural and marketing phenomenon for 50-plus years. There are theme parks, restaurants, cafes and hotels dedicated to her. There are millions worldwide who buy Hello Kitty products, including superfans who don’t know when to stop and amass thousands of items bearing Kitty's countenance.
In his new book, Brender spotlights Hello Kitty fans, Hello Kitty theme parks and the many products ― the good and the strange. He also profiles Kitty’s designers and marketers and how they contribute to her unwavering popularity.
But all is not glittery for this Queen of Kawaii. She has a dark side that at one extreme even involves murder. Dive inside this book and all will be revealed.
Click here to access the podcast Brender did with Rebeckah Buchanan to discuss his new book.
Brender retired in 2023 following more than 30 years as an educator in Japan, including 10 years as dean of LUJ. He previously worked as a journalist in Japan and as a magazine editor in the United States.
He is author of more than 20 books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He interviewed many celebrities for the popular science fiction magazine Starlog including Emmy-winning actress Jane Seymour, Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker of Star Wars fame), Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, Billy Crystal and David Hasselhoff.
Click here to visit the publisher’s webpage to order the book, which is also available on other websites.
