Ultimate Hello Kitty Wiki: Discover Everything About the Iconic Cat

Hello Kitty, also known as Kitty White, is a fictional character created by the Japanese company Sanrio in 1974. Designed by Yuko Shimizu and currently overseen by Yuko Yamaguchi, Hello Kitty is depicted as a British anthropomorphized white cat-like girl with a red bow and no visible mouth. She lives in suburban London with her family, including her twin sister Mimmy, who wears a yellow bow. Despite her feline appearance, Sanrio has clarified that Hello Kitty is not a cat but a little girl with cat-like features.

Key Facts

• First Appearance: Hello Kitty debuted on a vinyl coin purse in 1975.
• Cultural Impact: Initially targeted at pre-teen girls, the brand expanded to teens and adults in the 1990s, aligning with Japan's kawaii (cute) culture. By 2013, Hello Kitty generated $8 billion annually in retail sales.
• Ambassador Roles: Hello Kitty has served as UNICEF's children's ambassador and Japan's tourism ambassador.
• Media and Products: The franchise includes animated series, comics, films, video games, and over 50,000 branded products like school supplies, clothing, and toys.

Character Details

Hello Kitty is portrayed as cheerful and kind-hearted. Her hobbies include baking cookies and playing the piano. She is five apples tall and weighs three apples. Her favorite food is her mother's apple pie, and her motto is "You can never have too many friends!".

Global Recognition

Hello Kitty's popularity soared internationally during the late 1990s and early 2000s. She remains a pop culture icon with themed attractions like Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo and Hello Kitty Shanghai Times in China.