Introduced in 2021, LUVHUG is an all new type of Blythe. These plush, retro inspired toys were introduced as part of the 20th Anniversary line as a limited edition item.
The original release info showed an illustration by Isaac Wong, son of Junko Wong who is the head of CWC.
The original description was as follows:
“Blythe’s new companion “Love Hug Blythe” will be released in the summer of 2021!
This is a playful project to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Neo Blythe. We wanted something that is Blythe but also a little different, memorable, lovable and hug-able.
LUVHUG is a plush that is cuddly and unique. There are only 500 in pink and 500 in brown and they will remind us of this special year 2021 when Blythe became 20 years old!
By the time it is released, we will deliver the image of “Love Hug Blythe” little by little with manga cuts! Please look forward to it ♪
Penny Bear (Pink):Penny loves inventing tools and contraptions that are useful at home. Her recent creation is a robot bed that moves around the house with her still in it! That way she can stay under her covers all day on a lazy Sunday. One of her favorite hobbies is inventing brand new musical instruments that her best friend Benny can play. She also loves to bake for Benny’s parties!
Benny Bear (Brown):You can count on Benny to show you a good time! He is a natural when it comes to music. Benny can play any instrument you put in front of him, from guitars, bongos, to even a full DJ set up! He can make music out of anything. Benny loves to throw parties with him and some friends performing, especially if his best friend Penny has created a new instrument for him. He also loves to eat Penny’s delicious cakes!
LUVHUG BLYTHE
Release date : Summer 2021″
However, likely due to the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic,
the release of these toys was delayed.
The following update was shared on 10/14/21 on BlytheDoll.com:
“Blythe 20th Anniversary Luvhug Blythe Release Date Change.
We are pushing back the release date of Luvhug Blythe “Penny Bear” (pink) and “Benny Bear” (brown), which was to be released in October of 2021 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Neo Blythe.
Luvhug Blythe is a unique new plush toy with a vinyl face that is currently in development.
Luvhug’s face was modeled based on the Middie Blythe face and manufactured in Japan. Each face is handpainted by a veteran craftsman with decades-long experience working in the soft vinyl toy industry.
The plush body is made with materials dyed specifically for Luvhug. The lower part of a Luvhug’s body is filled with heavy pellets that give it stability when placed in a sitting position.
We are currently getting production samples made from our manufacturer in China. We are almost there! Thank you so much for your patience.
Penny Bear (pink)
Penny loves to invent useful tools and devices in her home laboratory. Her latest creation is a robot bed that moves around the house with her still on it! Perfect for those lazy Sundays you want to spend under the covers.
One of her hobbies is inventing new musical instruments for her best friend Benny to play. She also loves to bake cakes whenever Benny throws a party.
Benny Bear (brown)
When it comes to having a good time, Benny is top-notch!
He is a genius at music and can play any instrument, from guitars and bongos to DJ sets.
He also loves to throw parties, and when his best friend Penny makes a new instrument, he invites friends over to play it.
Oh, and Penny’s cake is his favorite!
“Love Hug Blythe”
Release date : Winter of 2021″
Prior to their final release, Junko Wong shared from previews via her Instagram, @junko_wong. This showed the fabric bags used as packaging.
The final release information regarding this new Blythe items was as followings…
Blythe’s new friend Luvhug Blythe launches January 2022~
Luvhug Blythe is an adorable plush toy based on Blythe that makes you want to hug her tightly.
The two are Penny Bear, a girl who loves to invent cool tools and gadgets for the home, and Benny Bear, a boy genius who is good at music and can play any musical instrument. They will make their debut in January 2022 as fluffy plush bears the size of a Middie Blythe! They will be making their debut!
The hand-painted, soft vinyl face is manufactured in Japan from start to finish. The body fabric is made with bespoke dyed fur, embroidered paws on the hands and feet, and bead-filled hips for a more stable sitting pose.
We hope you enjoy your time and create many beautiful memories with Penny Bear and Benny Bear.
“Luvhug Blythe
Total two types: Penny Bear (pink), Benny Bear (brown)
Size: Body: H20 x W12 x D8 cm
Material: soft vinyl face, 100% acrylic fur, polyester cotton, pellet beads Face made in Japan, sewn in China.
It comes with paper comics and a drawstring bag (H29.5 x W20cm) Packaged in OPP bag
Weight: approx. 125g
Each Luvhug Blythe is handcrafted, resulting in a different finish per unit.
Please love them for who they are!
The body is made of fabric and can be shaped by gently applying pressure.
The photo does not represent actual colors.
Release Date: January 28, 2022
* We originally announced that the release date will be January 14th, but it has been changed to January 28th.
PrIce: 7,480 JPY”
To celebrate the release of these cutie plush figures, an interview with the representatives of Studio Uoo was released. These artists helped to produce the LuvHug line!
The interview can be found here.
In July of 2022, two more LuvHugs were released: Snowie and Luv Luv.
“Joining “Luv Hug Blythe” are Snowy with a white and pink body and Love Love with a white and black body.
They are a white bear and a panda.
Luv Hug Blythe” is a cute stuffed animal the size of a midi-blythe.
Luv hug, and have a good time together!
This plush Blythe has a retro make-up and short arms and legs for a sense of humor.
Face is made in Japan. The original prototype was created based on the Midi Blythe face, and the soft vinyl was created and hand painted, one by one.
Embroidery is applied to the paw parts of the hands and feet.
Pellets (bead-like grains) are placed on the hips to provide stability in sitting poses.
Luv Hug Blythe
Total 2 kinds: Snowy (white), Luv Luv (panda)
Size: H20 x W12 x D8cm, body
Material: Face: soft vinyl, Body: fur, acrylic 100%, polyester cotton filled, pellet beads filled
Face made in Japan, other materials and sewing in China
Comes with paper cartoon, in drawstring (H29.5 x W20cm)
In OPP bag
Weight: approx. 125g
Release date: August 6, 2022 (Friday) *Junie Moon will release the product in advance
Retail price: ¥7,480 (price without tax ¥6,800)
*This product is intended for ages 15 and up.
Posed for photo shooting. It cannot stand on its own, nor can the arms and legs be fixed vertically.
The face of this product is hand painted, so there may be individual differences.
The body is also sewn and finished by hand, so there may be individual differences.
The body is made of fabric and cotton, so it can be shaped by pressing it gently by hand.
Please note that the actual color may not be reproduced due to the environment of the display.”