Double Feature!

レアル昆虫リュック | Real Insect Backpack

Originally posted: 21st January 2026

It seems that insects such as ladybeetles, bees, and butterflies have been a popular theme for children for at least a few decades. And another thing that is popular with kids is plush backpacks. I know that when I was a child I really loved having a plush backpack to carry my little wallet around in, being able to wear the plush on my back made me feel like I wasn't going to lose it as well. So, it seems natural that someone would create these really cool insect-themed plush backpacks!

From what I can find, these backpacks are made by a company called Maru-Yuu, a wholesale company in Japan which mainly produces prizes for Crane Game machines and festivals. Although, it seems that these backpacks can just be bought online or from specific shops in Japan.

There are lots of types available, but beetles seem to be prioritised, which is pretty normal for Japanese insect merchandise. I've also seen pictures of a praying mantis and a dragonfly.

As is typical for this style of backpack, the plush has shoulder straps so it can be worn, and a zip-up pocket which can hold a limited amount of smaller items, things like a phone, a wallet, maybe some pens and paper. Some of the images show a thermal flask or water bottle being able to fit in the backpack as well.

One of the available backpack types is this cool isopod, which can be worn as a normal backpack, or using a button on the face it can be rolled into a ball and worn more as a handbag or messenger bag!

I'm not sure how adjustable the shoulder straps are for these backpacks or whether they are suitable to be worn by adults. As they are marketed towards children, I assume that the shoulder straps have been sized with that in mind, but normally backpacks for all ages can be adjusted to fit lots of different types and sizes of people, so you never know.

Amulet Backpack

Another interesting backpack is this one by Killstar, they make alt-fashion items with a goth aesthetic. The backpack is themed after a beetle, probably a scarab beetle although it doesn't look like it is based on a real species. It leans into the creepy-cute vibe that Killstar tends to go for with their fashion items.

This is an item that I actually own myself! It's a great little backpack, you can only really fit things like a phone, wallet and hairbrush inside... I suppose that's similar to the plush backpacks really, I guess this is like the evolved form of a plush backpack!

The outer shell of the beetle is a sort of molded plastic, it feels very tough and sturdy. The zip tends to get stuck on the inside label when you open the backpack, but you get used to it. The inside is quite small, so I usually just put essentials inside.

And so ends our first venture into the world if insect-themed apparel! To be honest, there isn't really that much, but if I find more I will definitely post about it. Generally speaking, you are better off finding independent shops and creators for things like this, and it would probably be of a higher quality too.