Introduction:The Japanese specialty coffee equipment brand Hario has collaborated for the first time with the globally renowned cartoon character Sad Frog PEPE, launching a limited-edition camping-themed co-branded series. This collaboration not only gives the classic V60 resin dripper a striking new green outfit but also pairs it with manga-style packaging and outdoor-themed designs, sparking discussions among pour over coffee enthusiasts. This article will delve into the design highlights of the co-branded products, real-world usage experiences, and explore the impact of such cross-industry collaborations on the coffee market.

In recent years, Hario has continuously broken away from traditional design aesthetics. This time, through a creative partnership with the world-famous Sad Frog PEPE, they have introduced a camping-inspired co-branded product line. The collaboration includes two thoughtfully designed set packages, among which the “Outdoor Joy Pack” specifically comes with the PEPE-exclusive No. 01 resin dripper in a distinctive color, as well as a dedicated outdoor-style filter paper package—merging everyday pour over experiences with an outdoor leisure vibe.

This much-talked-about dripper subtly incorporates vibrant green tones into its originally transparent resin material, especially shining with a unique translucent glow under light, successfully catching the eye of many coffee lovers. The official pre-sale campaign, themed “Filter Out the Sadness,” paired with manga-style packaging design, successfully creates a light-hearted and enjoyable shopping experience.

According to official brand information, this co-branded series carefully plans two sets with different positioning: the “Filter Out the Sadness Filter Paper Share Pack” and the “Reject the EMO Outdoor Joy Pack.” The latter not only includes the special filter paper but is also bundled with the PEPE-exclusive No. 01 resin dripper and a matching outdoor filter paper pack, providing pour over enthusiasts with a more complete camping-style coffee experience.

Known for its minimalist Japanese aesthetics, Hario has made a bold move by collaborating with a popular cartoon character, reimagining the classic V60 dripper as the much-talked-about “green cup.” While the material and basic functionality remain unchanged, the unique green hue and PEPE character elements successfully create a distinctive visual identity.

From the product images released by the brand, it can be observed that this co-branded dripper mainly builds upon the original transparent No. 01 resin design, integrating green visual elements. Notably, the material properties and actual brewing performance of the dripper remain unaltered by the aesthetic changes, and the included natural paper filter retains standard specifications—only the packaging showcases the co-branded features.

Before the official launch, Hario initiated a pre-sale campaign through its official social media platforms, using the creative slogan “Filter out the coffee, filter out the sadness” to attract consumer participation. The specially designed packaging features a warm comic scene of PEPE hugging a filter paper while tears blend into the coffee, successfully resonating emotionally with consumers—many netizens expressed being drawn in by such a creative design.

Currently, on social platforms such as Xiaohongshu, many users have shared actual photos of receiving the co-branded products and have even coined playful homophonic phrases like “wash away cup hurts, go green on worries.” Reactions to this specially toned green color are mixed: some users praise its unique visual appeal, while others feel the color is too bold. In terms of practicality, observations suggest that aside from the packaging design, the product itself differs little from the regular version.

Observing the development trends in the coffee market in recent years, cross-industry collaborations have become one of the key marketing strategies for brands. Especially in the field of pour over coffee equipment, combining popular cultural IPs can effectively attract specific audiences. The key to a successful collaboration lies in finding a partner that aligns with the brand’s identity and resonates with the target customer group—something that requires brands to have an in-depth understanding of market trends and consumer preferences.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.