BODY: Two of Japan's most comforting summer rituals — a scoop of ice cream and a quiet afternoon on a deserted island — are about to merge. B-R Thirty One Ice Cream, the Japanese arm of Baskin-Robbins, has announced a collaboration with Nintendo's beloved Animal Crossing series running the entire month of July, from the 1st through the 31st.
In Japan, Baskin-Robbins is universally known simply as "31" (Sāti-wan, "Thirty-One"), a nod to the brand's classic "31 flavors" promise. That makes a tie-up with Animal Crossing — a franchise built around small daily pleasures, seasonal change, and gentle community life — feel almost inevitable. Both are fixtures of the Japanese summer.
The campaign centers on themed menu items alongside limited-edition merchandise. The headline collectibles are charms featuring Timmy and Tommy (Mamekichi and Tsubukichi), the diligent raccoon-dog twins who run the island shop and serve as the series' cheerful faces of commerce. Expect these to be bundled with qualifying purchases, the format Baskin-Robbins Japan typically uses for its character collaborations.
Seasonal and character collaborations are a core part of Baskin-Robbins Japan's marketing calendar, and Animal Crossing arrives with one of the most loyal, all-ages fanbases in the country — spanning longtime players and the millions who picked up New Horizons during the pandemic.
The insider take
From Tokyo, the smart move here is timing and scarcity. Baskin-Robbins charm collaborations move fast — popular designs routinely sell out within the first week, and resale listings appear on Mercari almost immediately. With Timmy and Tommy's enduring appeal and a one-month window, fans hoping to secure the charms should plan an early-July visit rather than waiting for a leisurely summer scoop. Stock varies sharply by location, so neighborhood shops often clear out before the big-station outlets.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).