Nintendo’s puffiest mascot, Kirby, has landed in a collaboration that’s as surprising as it is delightful. Forget power-ups or new game levels—this time, Kirby’s teamed up with Heinz for a limited-edition ketchup campaign that’s turning heads and emptying wallets. This partnership slaps Kirby and his pal Waddle Dee onto Heinz’s iconic upside-down ketchup bottles, transforming a pantry staple into a collector’s dream.
Heinz Japan’s latest venture with HAL Laboratory and Nintendo builds on a 2024 hit, when Kirby starred on ketchup pouches tied to his beloved Maxim Tomato. “The Maxim Tomato, a full-health recovery item, is one of the most recognizable elements from the franchise,” Heinz Japan explained in their initial campaign, cleverly linking Kirby’s tomato obsession to their condiment empire. This 2025 follow-up goes bigger with three unique Kirby designs and a Waddle Dee cameo, all splashed across 420ml upside-down ketchup bottles. Priced at ¥383 ($2.65 USD), these bottles will roll out in Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores starting June 2025.
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Each bottle is a visual feast, showcasing Kirby in playful poses with tomatoes and burgers, framed by Heinz’s classic Keystone logo. One design captures Kirby mid-bounce, another shows him clutching a tomato with glee, and Waddle Dee’s appearance adds a heart-tugging nod to fans of the series’ sidekicks.
Heinz isn’t stopping at bottles—they’re dangling a carrot for die-hard fans with a giveaway. A thousand winners in Japan can score a Keystone-shaped keychain featuring Kirby’s face and the Heinz logo by acing a quiz on Heinz Japan’s X account.
Sadly, both bottles and keychains are Japan-only for now, leaving international fans to stalk resale sites or taking an unplanned (or planned) trip to the country to snag a few bottles. Heinz hasn’t confirmed a global release, but whispers of a wider rollout keep hope alive.
This partnership isn’t just a branding stunt—it’s a celebration of Kirby’s enduring charm. Since 1992, Kirby’s been gulping down enemies and items, but the Maxim Tomato, his ultimate health boost, holds a special place in gamers’ hearts. Heinz’s decision to lean into this connection feels inspired. “This partnership leverages the shared ‘tomato’ theme between Kirby’s health-restoring item the ‘Maxim Tomato,’ and Heinz’s staple condiment,” Essential Japan observed.
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