Origins & First Appearances
Hello Kitty was introduced in 1974 on a small vinyl coin purse sold in Japan.
My Melody made her debut in 1975 as a character based on Little Red Riding Hood.
Keroppi first appeared in 1988 and quickly became popular among both boys and girls.
Badtz-Maru was launched on April 1, 1993—fitting for his prankster personality.
Tuxedo Sam debuted in 1979 with a focus on formal wear and charm.
Cinnamoroll premiered in 2001 after winning a Sanrio design contest.
Kuromi first appeared in 2005’s Onegai My Melody anime.
Pompompurin was created in 1996 and is known for his love of pudding and naps.
Little Twin Stars, Kiki and Lala, were introduced in 1975 as celestial siblings.
Pochacco, the sporty dog, debuted in 1989 and quickly gained popularity in the 90s.
Character Designs & Details
Hello Kitty has no visible mouth so fans can project any emotion onto her face.
My Melody always wears a red or pink hood that was a handmade gift from her grandmother.
Kuromi’s jester hat features a pink skull—symbolizing her mischievous charm.
Cinnamoroll has long ears that help him fly like a plane.
Pompompurin is a golden retriever who wears a brown beret and loves collecting shoes.
Keroppi has big round eyes and lives in Donut Pond with his family.
Tuxedo Sam is a plump blue penguin who owns 365 bowties—one for every day of the year.
Chococat gets his name from his chocolate-colored nose.
Pochacco is often seen with one ear up and one ear down, making him look curious and playful.
Badtz-Maru is a small black penguin with spiky hair and a constant frown.
Personality Quirks & Hobbies
Hello Kitty enjoys baking, especially apple pie, and loves collecting cute things.
Kuromi keeps a diary filled with her rebellious thoughts and crushes.
My Melody is gentle and honest, often helping friends without expecting anything in return.
Pompompurin’s favorite activity is napping in his owner’s slippers.
Cinnamoroll loves sitting on café customers’ laps while they enjoy coffee and desserts.
Tuxedo Sam is known for being clumsy, despite his elegant attire.
Badtz-Maru aspires to be a boss or leader but is usually outwitted.
Keroppi enjoys swimming, singing, and adventuring with his siblings.
Pochacco is energetic and loves to jog and eat banana ice cream.
Chococat is a curious cat who tends to forget things because he’s always distracted by new ideas.
Family & Friends
Hello Kitty has a twin sister named Mimmy who wears a yellow bow on the opposite ear.
My Melody’s best friend is a mouse named Flat.
Kuromi has a purple flying tapir sidekick named Baku.
Cinnamoroll leads a group of friends called the Cinnamoangels.
Keroppi has a brother named Koroppi and a sister named Pikki.
Tuxedo Sam’s best friend is a seal named Chip.
Pompompurin’s close friends include Muffin the hamster and Scone the mouse.
Pochacco is often seen with his turtle friend Pi-chan.
Chococat lives with a group of animal friends including Jellybean the bunny.
Little Twin Stars are siblings who came from the Land of Stars to learn how to be the best angels they can be.
Media & Appearances
Hello Kitty has appeared in more than 10 animated series and specials.
Kuromi stars in the anime Onegai My Melody as My Melody’s rival.
Cinnamoroll has his own manga and a mini anime series.
Sanrio characters have appeared in mobile games like Hello Sweet Days and Sanrio Characters Picross.
In 2020, Hello Kitty launched a bilingual YouTube channel with lifestyle content.
The Little Twin Stars featured in a special crossover with Sailor Moon.
Aggretsuko, though more modern, is part of the Sanrio family and has its own Netflix series.
Chococat once appeared in Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater animated series.
Pompompurin had a lead role in Sanrio’s Wish Me Mell animation lineup.
Hello Kitty even made a brief appearance in The Simpsons and was referenced in Friends.
Popularity & Rankings
Hello Kitty consistently ranks in the top three of Sanrio’s annual character popularity polls.
Cinnamoroll won first place in the Sanrio Character Ranking five years in a row (2017–2021).
Kuromi overtook Cinnamoroll in 2023, becoming the new fan favorite.
Pompompurin was the #1 Sanrio character in 2015 and continues to trend in Japan.
My Melody remains one of the most popular female characters in Sanrio’s history.
Keroppi was the top-ranking character for boys in the early 90s.
Tuxedo Sam remains a fan-favorite in retro Sanrio merchandise.
Badtz-Maru is especially beloved by Western fans who grew up in the 90s.
Chococat maintains popularity due to his sleek and minimalistic design.
Sanrio releases annual voting results publicly, sparking celebrations and themed events.
Global Impact & Collaborations
Hello Kitty was appointed Japan’s tourism ambassador to China and Hong Kong in 2008.
Sanrio has collaborated with brands like Converse, McDonald’s, Sephora, and Crocs.
There is a Hello Kitty-themed EVA Air airplane that flies internationally.
Hello Kitty’s face has appeared on everything from wine bottles to massage chairs.
Pompompurin-themed cafés exist across Asia, serving pudding-shaped meals.
Sanrio Puroland, the Tokyo theme park, attracts more than a million visitors annually.
Sanrio characters have been used in public health campaigns in Japan.
Kuromi and My Melody are used in cosmetics lines and fashion collaborations.
Sanrio’s reach spans over 130 countries with products in schools, airports, and hospitals.
Sanrio often partners with anime, game, and fashion franchises to keep characters relevant.
Food, Fashion & Products
Hello Kitty was first marketed on a coin purse that cost less than $1.
Sanrio characters have themed cafés and dessert menus in Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
Cinnamoroll’s themed food often features blue skies, clouds, and cinnamon rolls.
Pompompurin’s merchandise includes slippers, neck pillows, and backpacks.
Kuromi is a major face in Harajuku fashion with her edgy gothic lolita vibe.
Sanrio partnered with LeSportsac for an entire handbag collection.
Badtz-Maru and Chococat appear frequently on electronics and office supplies.
Tuxedo Sam bowtie-themed apparel lines are popular in Sanrio vintage shops.
Hello Kitty has a signature line of wines and perfumes for adults.
Sanrio hosts pop-up shops with exclusive merchandise across the world.
Lesser-Known Characters
Hangyodon is a lonely fish who dreams of becoming a hero but always ends up the comic relief.
Monkichi is a monkey who writes haiku and dreams of being a poet.
Zashikibuta is a shy pig who loves taking warm baths and lives in France.
Marron Cream is a polite rabbit who loves embroidery and tea parties.
Pekkle is a duck who takes dance lessons and wants to be a singer.
Deery Lou is a gentle deer who lives in Rainbow Forest and spreads kindness.
Cogimyun is a flour spirit who often falls apart but tries her best every day.
Landry is a raccoon who runs a laundromat and is obsessed with cleanliness.
Cinnamoangels are a trio of Cinnamoroll’s friends who love singing and fashion.
Wish Me Mell is a letter-delivering rabbit from Merci Hills, spreading love and hope.
Holiday & Seasonal Fun
Sanrio releases themed merchandise for every major holiday, including Halloween and Christmas.
My Melody and Kuromi star in annual Valentine’s Day collections.
Keroppi is a favorite during Japan’s rainy season due to his frog motif.
Pompompurin has cherry blossom (sakura) themed items released every spring.
Hello Kitty appears in festive Lunar New Year designs across Asia.
Cinnamoroll has a summer-themed collection with beach and sky motifs.
Kuromi Halloween plushies sell out every year due to her spooky style.
Sanrio often releases limited-edition Easter baskets with mini plushies.
Chococat’s New Year items usually feature zodiac animals.
Sanrio characters are dressed in seasonal kimonos for New Year’s marketing in Japan.
