Ah, Hello Kitty -- that obnoxious adorable, ultra-girly cartoon icon that's been a must-have for every cutesy fashionista since the '90s. The looks for winter and spring '08 are decidedly more mature than in year's past, which might make you think that Ms. Kitty is finally on her way out.

Wrong.

In fact, not only is Japan's favorite animated cat hear for another season (at least), now she's taking on the boys.

Starting next month a new men's line of Hello Kitty products goes on sale in Japan. The character is the same, but instead of frilly pink and white, the men's designs are more simple, straightforward, and in a more "masculine" white on black. Sanrio (the company behind Hello Kitty) thinks that this generation of Japanese men has grown up with the annoying little feline, and won't feel weird about having her adorning their t-shirts.

Maybe so, but will that hold true with American guys when the line goes on sale in the US? Somehow I doubt it.