Monokuro Boo

New Packaging Design, p.180
Janice Kirkpatrick / Graven Images

Monokuro is the Japanese word for monochromatic and "Boo" is Japanese for "oink", so Monokuro Boo translates to Monochromatic Oink?  Whatever it means, it is adorable.

I've heard that a big reason for Hello Kitty's popularity is that, without a mouth, her expression is up to the interpretation of the viewer. Are you sad? Hello Kitty is sympathetic. Are you happy? Hello Kitty is happy with you. Etc. The Monokuro mascots seem to follow a similar principle. Depending on your mindset, the piggies could look mischievous, playful, conspiratorial, or anything else. Personally, right now, the black one's hollow white eyes are kind of creeping me out, but maybe I've been staring at these two too long.