Issei Mochi Gummies Celebrates 3-Year Anniversary with Bold Rebrand, New Flavors, and Expanded Product Line

[New York, NY] — [September 23, 2025] — Issei Mochi Gummies, the world’s first mochi candy brand, proudly celebrates its three-year anniversary with a transformative rebrand and exciting product innovations that mark a new era for the award-winning company. Founded in 2022 by first-generation Japanese American entrepreneur Mika Shino, Issei has quickly redefined the candy category by introducing the world’s first shelf-stable mochi gummies, offering consumers a unique, pillowy, chewy texture that bridges the gap between a gummy bear and a marshmallow.

Rebrand & Product Evolution

The 3-year milestone is accompanied by a bold rebrand that introduces bright, colorful new packaging designed to reflect the brand’s joyful, heritage-proud and innovation-driven identity. The new packaging maintains Issei’s modern aesthetic while making the brand pop on shelves across thousands of stores.

Issei is also introducing a larger 4 oz size, providing customers with greater value, along with new flavors and a refined recipe that enhances the brand’s hallmark chew with a softer, more supple texture and stronger, more vibrant flavor.

Explosive Growth & Nationwide Presence

Since its founding, Issei has experienced remarkable growth. Today, Issei products are available in over 5,000 retail locations nationwide, including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Albertsons, World Market, and Raley’s, among others. The company has also built a strong direct-to-consumer presence through Amazon, TikTok Shop, Faire and their own website, among others, ensuring accessibility to customers across the U.S. and internationally.

Recognition & Awards

In just three years, Issei has not only carved out a new candy category but has also garnered global recognition for its innovation. Among its numerous accolades are the Most Innovative New Product Award at the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo, the 2024 Nourish Award, and recognition from Inc. Magazine, Success Magazine, FoodBev Media, TasteTV, NOSH, and ExpoWest. Founder Mika Shino has also been honored on Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Female Founders 200 List and recognized as a Success Magazine Woman of Influence. (See Attachments: Awards Portfolio).

Heritage & Mission

Drawing from the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi—a rice-based delicacy celebrated for centuries during rituals, ceremonies, and expressions of gratitude—Issei reimagines mochi as a next-gen candy - portable, inclusive, and better-for-you snack. Free from gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, gelatin, and artificial ingredients, Issei’s gummies are crafted to meet the highest dietary standards, ensuring they can be enjoyed by people with a wide range of lifestyles and values.

“Three years ago, this journey began in my kitchen with my children, with one simple wish—to create a candy I could feel good about giving them as a mom,” said Mika Shino, Founder & CEO of Issei. “Inspired by my Japanese heritage, I wanted to reimagine the sacred art of mochi—something that has always symbolized celebration, gratitude, and togetherness in my culture—with people everywhere. I am endlessly grateful for the incredible support that has brought us here, and so excited for all the sweetness still to come.”

As Issei enters its next chapter, the brand is doubling down on innovation with new product lines in development for 2025, building on its mission to create better-for-you snacks that bring joy and celebrate cultural heritage.

About Issei Mochi GummiesFounded in 2022 by entrepreneur Mika Shino, Issei Mochi Gummies is the world’s first mochi candy brand. Inspired by Japanese heritage and reimagined for modern snacking, Issei creates innovative, clean-label, and inclusive gummies with a unique, pillowy chew. Issei products are available nationwide in over 5,000 retail locations as well as online through Amazon, TikTok Shop, Faire and their own website. With numerous awards for innovation, taste, and entrepreneurship, Issei is pioneering a new category in candy while staying true to its mission: to create joyful, better-for-you snacks that align with modern lifestyles and values.