Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For some young women, a plush toy is not just something to leave on a shelf: it can be clipped to a bag, brought on an outing, or included in a photograph. A 2025 survey of 507 women aged 15–24 in Tokyo and three nearby prefectures found that more than 80% had tried at least one form of “ぬい活” (plush activity). That is evidence of a visible practice in this surveyed group—not proof that Gen Z women everywhere carry Hello Kitty or Snoopy, or that a plush has a therapeutic effect.
How young women are using plush toys in public
SHIBUYA109 lab.’s January 2025 survey covered 507 women aged 15–24 living in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama. It used an external web panel and included interviews. The report describes “ぬい活” as encompassing both fan activity and fashion styling, so its figures cover more than one reason for carrying a plush.
| Activity reported | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| Attaching a plush to a bag | 59.4% |
| Carrying one routinely or on an outing | 39.4% |
| Photographing one with objects or scenery | 37.9% |
These are reported results for that regional, age-specific sample and the survey’s activity definitions, not estimates for all Japanese young women or all Gen Z. The study measures plush activity generally; it does not say which characters respondents owned or carried. SHIBUYA109 lab.’s survey provides a snapshot of the practice, not a character-by-character ranking.
Why a familiar character can feel like a companion
A character on a bag can function as a small expression of taste, fandom, or personal style. A plush also travels with its owner rather than remaining in a bedroom display, making it available as a familiar object during everyday routines. Those are reasonable ways to understand the practice, but the survey did not measure whether carrying a toy reduces stress or creates emotional comfort.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
A 2013 qualitative case study of Hello Kitty offers a scholarly vocabulary for the character’s appeal, discussing associations with nostalgia, youthful innocence, familiarity, intimacy, and friendship. It also examines Sanrio’s licensing and product extensions. The paper is a single-brand case study, not a clinical finding or a survey of young women’s feelings, and it does not establish the same associations for Snoopy. Hosany, Prayag, Martin, and Lee’s 2013 analysis is best read as an interpretation of brand meaning rather than proof of a universal emotional response.
Hello Kitty and Snoopy are widely recognized in Japan, but not interchangeable
Nippon Research Center’s 2024 nationwide, interviewer-administered in-home survey asked 1,200 people aged 15–79 about characters, presenting names without images. It found recognition of 90% or more for Hello Kitty and 89% for Snoopy. Favorability was 19% for Hello Kitty and 23% for Snoopy. Because this was a broad-age population survey, it does not show which character is more popular among Gen Z women, nor whether respondents carried either character as a plush.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The comparison is useful as broad context: both characters are familiar to a large share of people in Japan, while their favorability scores differ in that survey. Recognition and favorability are not measures of comfort, attachment, or merchandise ownership. NRC’s 2024 character survey reports the method and results.
What the reported Snoopy trend does—and does not—show
NRC’s 2025 time-series report gives Snoopy favorability as 21%, compared with 13% in 2014. The organization cautions that the character label changed over time in how it presented “Snoopy” and “Peanuts,” so this is not a perfectly controlled like-for-like comparison. The figures show a difference between reported survey results, but do not identify a cause or demonstrate a Gen Z-driven revival. NRC’s 2025 time-series report includes that wording caveat.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What the evidence can tell us about comfort
- Plush toys are part of everyday public-facing activity for many respondents in one surveyed group of women aged 15–24 in the Tokyo region.
- The survey supports several uses—bag styling, carrying, and photography—but does not identify Hello Kitty or Snoopy as the toys involved.
- Japan-wide character surveys establish broad familiarity and favorability, not the emotions or habits of young women specifically.
- The academic Hello Kitty case study discusses meanings such as nostalgia and intimacy, but it does not measure mental-health outcomes or show that carrying a character plush produces comfort.
So “search for comfort” is a plausible interpretation of why some people keep a childhood-associated character close, not a measured conclusion about a generation. For a particular person, a plush may be a reminder of childhood, a fandom badge, a styling choice, a photo prop, or some combination of these. The available studies do not establish which explanation applies to any individual.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
