Produced by San-X, along with a slew of other kawaii characters, Rilakkuma is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023.
The cute bear is a beloved character in Japan (and the online kawaii community) that has appeared in picture books, made into toys and plush animals, and plastered all over stationary and other forms of merchandise.
In recent years, Netflix has released two stop-motion animation shows featuring Rilakkuma. Rilakkuma and Kaoru was released in 2019, followed by Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure in late 2022.
It is implied that (at least) the lower half of Rilakkuma’s body is actually a costume and something which is replaced when dirty. Not that you need any excuse, but this means the options are endless when it comes to how you wish Rilakkuma to appear in your tattoo. No matter what you choose to do with your Rilakkuma tattoo, I’m sure it will be ridiculously cute.
Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma enjoying some lemonade. Tattoo by @alexiscraneart
Rilakkuma cupcake tattoo by @pixierobsontattoo
Rilakkuma love heart tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Bob Ross x Rilakkuma tattoo by @nicole_draeger
Kiiroitori, Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma tattoo by @honeyxdriptattoo
Pastel Rilakkuma ice cream cone tattoo by @alexstrangler
Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma in space love heart tattoo by @ashleyluka
Pilot Rilakkuma flying a plane. Tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma as otters tattoo by @melvin_arizmendi
Tropical Rilakkuma tattoo by @tattoosbymeri
Sparkly Rilakkuma eating cookies tattoo by @keelyglitters
Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma ice cream cone and love heart tattoo by @melvin_arizmendi
Rilakkuma gap filler tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Blackwork Rilakkuma bubble tea tattoo by @raineisonfire
Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma kitties tattoo by @melvin_arizmendi
Spoopy vampire Rilakkuma inside a jack-o’-lantern tattoo by @alexstrangler
Rilakkuma ice cream tattoo by @abracassdabra
Spoopy Rilakkuma tattoo by @sammyvanhiggins
Tropical Rilakkuma tattoo by @jenn_matthews
Kitty suit Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma tattoo by @sabstars
Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma ice cream with a cherry on top tattoo by @mickethrash
Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori and strawberry tattoo by @ali_burke_tattoo
Rilakkuma Dango tattoo by @alexstrangler
Rilakkuma strawberry ice cream cone tattoo by @kellymcgrathart
Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma tattoo by @stickypop
Rilakkuma in a cow suit tattoo by @honeyxdriptattoo
Rilakkuma macaron tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Mermaid Rilakkuma tattoo by @alexstrangler
Rilakkuma and Hello Kitty decorative love heart tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Cute Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma love heart tattoo by @roxyrydertattoo
Rilakkuma eating an ice cream. Tattoo by @sam.nancy.tattoos
Kawaii Rilakkuma x Kim Chi tattoo by @rachelbaldwintattoo
Otter wearing a Rilakkuma hat. Tattoo by @_missfreya_
Rilakkuma and gumball machine tattoo by @cocosparkleink
Pokémon, Rilakkuma, and Domo x My Chemical Romance tattoo by @honeyxdriptattoo
Rilakkuma cupcake and rabbit macaron tattoo by @tattoosbymeri
Korilakkuma and Rilakkuma eating noodles tattoo by @victoriakurtztattoos
Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma enjoying some strawberries. Tattoo by @kadehydrated
Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma and Kiioitori tattoo by @cocosparkleink
Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma sushi tattoo by @keelyglitters
The Tattooed Archivist 