Sanrio Characters Guide: Who's Who Beyond Hello Kitty

Sanrio is bigger than Hello Kitty, and the company's own data proves it. Every year Sanrio runs a public vote — the Sanrio Character Ranking — across its full roster of characters, and Hello Kitty hasn't topped it since 2019. If your mental image of Sanrio stops at one white cat, you're missing most of what's actually popular right now.

The Characters That Matter

Hello Kitty — Debuted in 1974, designed by Yuko Shimizu. Technically a schoolgirl living outside London, not a cat, according to Sanrio's official lore — a detail that surprises even longtime fans. Her blank, mouthless face is a deliberate design choice meant to let viewers project their own emotions onto her. Still the company's most internationally recognized character by far, even if she's slipped in the domestic popularity ranking.

Pompompurin — A golden retriever puppy in a brown beret, introduced in 1996. Won the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking — the 40th anniversary edition of the poll — with more than 5.6 million votes, reclaiming first place for the fourth time after a nine-year gap. Known for a laid-back, food-loving personality; pudding (purin) is literally in the name.

Cinnamoroll — A white puppy with long ears he can use to fly, introduced in 2001. Held a five-year winning streak in the character ranking before finishing second to Pompompurin in 2025. One of the most consistently dominant characters of the last decade and a major driver of recent Sanrio merchandise sales.

Kuromi — My Melody's self-styled rival, introduced in 2005: a punk, gothic-leaning white rabbit-like character in a black jester cap and skull motifs. Built specifically to appeal to fans who found the traditional Sanrio aesthetic too sweet, and it worked — Kuromi is now a consistent top-five finisher in the annual ranking.

My Melody — A pink-hooded rabbit introduced in 1975, one year after Hello Kitty. One of Sanrio's oldest characters, and Kuromi's designated rival within Sanrio's official character lore, which the company leans into with dedicated crossover merchandise.

Gudetama — A lazy, perpetually unmotivated egg character introduced in 2013, aimed squarely at an adult audience rather than children. Became a surprise hit for its deadpan, anti-cute humor — a deliberate counterpoint to the rest of the traditionally cheerful Sanrio lineup.

Pochacco — A white puppy character from 1989 who finished third in the 2025 ranking, proof that some of Sanrio's older characters still have serious staying power decades after launch.

Sanrio Puroland (Tama, Tokyo)

Sanrio's flagship theme park is entirely indoor, which makes it one of the few Tokyo-area attractions that's a genuinely good rainy-day plan rather than a compromise. It's in Tama, western Tokyo — about a 6-minute walk from Tama-Center Station and roughly 30–35 minutes from Shinjuku by train.

Day passport pricing is date-based and varies significantly depending on when you visit, generally running from around ¥3,900 up to ¥6,900 for adults. Booking ahead online is worth it on weekends and holidays; walk-up tickets are usually available on weekdays.

Harmonyland (Oita, Kyushu)

Sanrio's second, smaller theme park is in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu — a much quieter, less crowded alternative if you're already traveling in that region and want the character-park experience without Puroland's Tokyo-level crowds.

Where Else to Find Sanrio Characters

Sanrio flagship stores — The Ikebukuro and Shinjuku flagship stores carry the widest, most current merchandise selection, including seasonal and collaboration items that sell out fast.

Character Street, Tokyo Station — A dedicated retail corridor inside Tokyo Station with a Sanrio storefront alongside other major character brands, convenient if you're already passing through on a train connection. Our full kawaii shopping guide covers Kiddy Land and the rest of Tokyo's character-goods landscape in more depth.

Sanrio cafes — Pop-up and semi-permanent character cafes rotate through Tokyo regularly, usually themed around whichever character is trending in the current ranking cycle.

Sanrio characters sit within a much broader kawaii culture movement — the same design philosophy behind Japan's yuru-kyara mascot boom and Pokemon Center's merchandise-first retail model.

FAQ

Is Hello Kitty still Sanrio's most popular character? Not by the company's own official vote — she hasn't won the annual Sanrio Character Ranking since 2019, and finished fifth in 2025, behind Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, and Kuromi.

What's the Sanrio Character Ranking? An annual public popularity vote across Sanrio's full character lineup, running since 1986. The 2025 edition marked its 40th anniversary and drew over 63 million total votes.

Is Hello Kitty a cat? Officially, no — Sanrio's lore describes her as a schoolgirl character, not a cat, despite the feline appearance. It's one of the more debated pieces of Sanrio trivia among longtime fans.

Is Sanrio Puroland worth visiting if it's raining? Yes — it's one of the better indoor options in the greater Tokyo area specifically because the entire park is enclosed, unlike most other major theme parks in the region.

Do I need to book Sanrio Puroland tickets in advance? Recommended for weekends and holidays, since pricing and capacity are date-based and popular dates can sell out; weekdays are more flexible for walk-up purchases.