Starbucks fans appear to have flipped their lids, if you will, for Hello Kitty. The fan base for the fictional, anthropomorphized white cat with a bow and loads of friends includes millions across the globe, particularly in East Asia. The character’s continuing popularity means that Hello Kitty collaborations have ranged from brands like Balenciaga to McDonald’s. So a recent partnership between Hello Kitty and Starbucks has sparked excitement with her fans nationwide.

The collaboration, which broke on Nov. 6, has many fans of Hello Kitty going to great lengths to acquire the Starbucks/Hello Kitty merchandise, which ranges from tumblers and coffee mugs to plushies and gift cards. Social media posts from people wanting the products (or complaints about them) are spreading all over the internet. There is no official end date for the collab at this point, but the hype is so widespread that some people are reselling the items online.

“I am so upset that people are buying [Hello Kitty Starbucks merchandise] to sell on eBay. I really wanted some, but they’re always sold out,” said FCHS senior Vanessa Vandevander.

Many Americans have a complicated relationship with Starbucks; they either love it or hate it. Starbucks has done multiple product collaborations in the past, ranging from one with Lady Gaga, who partnered with Starbucks for their “Cups for Kindness” collection in 2017, to collabs with the Peanuts comic strip on merchandise and drinks featuring all things Snoopy. Similarly, this latest market move with Hello Kitty is benefiting both brands, as fans of Hello Kitty with little to no interest in Starbucks (or vice versa) are now sweeping products straight off the shelves.

“I think Starbucks is the biggest capitalist company in the game. People have been acting crazy over a cup that is probably going to end up at Dollar General,” said junior Lief Lines.

The Starbucks/Hello Kitty merchandise isn’t cheap. A few of the more popular items: a Hello Kitty plush wearing a Starbucks uniform ($34.95), a Hello Kitty ceramic mug ($32.95), a Hello Kitty stainless steel cup ($32.95), and a stainless steel tumbler with Hello Kitty and Tiny Chum on it ($32.95).

Hello Kitty isn’t the craze at Starbucks these days. A “bearista” bear cup with a logo beanie has had some fans standing at the doors waiting for Starbucks to turn on their open sign to get one of these cups. The bears are so popular that other stores have started making dupes of the bear cup, while enterprising individuals have begun reselling the cups at hiked-up costs after the cups sold out quickly.

“I feel like people should not be camping outside at four in the morning for a cup that won’t fit into your cup holder,” said senior Ladashia Tinsley