About Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty is the world-famous kawaii character created by Sanrio, designed in 1974 by Japanese illustrator Yuko Shimizu. First appearing on a vinyl coin purse in March 1975, this simple white cat with a red bow has grown into one of the most recognisable and commercially successful characters in history, generating over $80 billion in lifetime merchandise revenue. The character was created to embody "kawaii" (Japanese for cuteness) for Sanrio's children's products and stationery. Shimizu, then 24 years old, drew inspiration from a kitten her father had given her. The name "Hello Kitty" was chosen by Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji, who wanted a greeting in the brand name; the "Kitty" portion references Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass. Hello Kitty was given a British identity because the UK was trendy in Japan during the 1970s. Her full character name is Kitty White, and she lives in London suburbs with her family. This international appeal helped Hello Kitty expand globally, first reaching the United States in 1976 and eventually spreading to 130 countries with over 50,000 different licensed products. In 2024, Hello Kitty celebrated her 50th anniversary, proving the character's enduring appeal across generations. Sanrio reported an 82% jump in net profit during the first half of 2024, driven by anniversary celebrations and strong licensing revenue. Hello Kitty stands alongside Pokémon and Mickey Mouse as one of the highest-grossing media franchises in entertainment history.