View source for Hello Kitty

{{short description|Fictional character by Sanrio}}
{{About|the character}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Hello Kitty
| series = [[Sanrio]]
| image = Hello kitty character portrait.png
| first = March 1975 (created 1974)
| creator = [[Yuko Shimizu]]
| voice = [[Megumi Hayashibara]] (1990–2023), others{{efn|'''Japanese:'''
[[Fuyumi Shiraishi]] (''Kitty and Mimmy's New Umbrella''); [[Mami Koyama]] (''Hello Kitty's Cinderella''); [[Akemi Okamura]] (''[[Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater]]''); [[Megumi Hayashibara]] (''Sanrio Word of Animation'', ''Hello Kitty's Paradise'', ''Various Sanrio Puroland Shows'').<ref>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002210921/https://king-cr.jp/artist/hayashi/megumi/ | archive-date=2019-10-02 | url=http://king-cr.jp/artist/hayashi/megumi/ | title=Megumi House | quote=[[キングレコード]]による林原の紹介ページ。出演履歴にハローキティは出てこない | lang=ja | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://getnews.jp/archives/73125|title=キティちゃんの声優はあの有名声優だった！ だれだかわかる？ ｜ ガジェット通信 GetNews|date=18 August 2010|website=Getnews.jp|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927064221/https://getnews.jp/archives/73125|url-status=dead}}</ref> '''English:''' [[Tara Strong]] (''Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater''); [[Karen Bernstein]] (''Hello Kitty and Friends''); [[Melissa Fahn]] (''Hello Kitty's Paradise''); [[Monica Rial]] (''Hello Kitty's Animation Theater''); [[Katia Shirassu]] (''Hello Kitty Fun''); [[Shannon Settlemyre]] (''Growing Up With Hello Kitty''); Soness Stevens;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yourspeakingjourney.com/your-speaker-coach|title=Your Speaker Coach — Your Speaking Journey|publisher=Your Speaking Journey|access-date=3 July 2020}}</ref> [[Juliet Simmons]] (''Hello Kitty and Friends - Let's Learn Together'');<ref name="btva">{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Hello-Kitty/Hello-Kitty/|title=Hello Kitty Voices - Behind The Voice Actors|website=behindthevoiceactors.com|access-date=1 July 2020|type= Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources}}</ref> Julia Sales (''The World of Hello Kitty'');<ref name="btva"/> [[Sarah Anne Williams]] (''Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures'').<ref name="btva"/>}}
| gender = [[Woman|Female]]
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Hello Kitty'''|ハロー・キティ|Harō Kiti|lead=yes}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.excite.co.jp/News/bit/E1215736595745.html|script-title=ja:サンリオキャラクターたちの本名、言えますか？|access-date=11 July 2008|date=11 July 2008|language=ja}}</ref> also known by her real name {{Nihongo|'''Kitty White'''|キティ・ホワイト|Kiti Howaito}},<ref name="sanriocharacterdetails">{{cite web|title=Hello Kitty|url=http://www.sanrio.co.jp/english/characters/detail/hellokitty/index.html|publisher=Sanrio|access-date=22 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624000114/http://www.sanrio.co.jp/english/characters/detail/hellokitty/index.html|archive-date=24 June 2011}}</ref> is a fictional character created by [[Yuko Shimizu]], currently designed by [[Yuko Yamaguchi]], and owned by the Japanese company [[Sanrio]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hello Kitty {{!}} cartoon character |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hello-Kitty |access-date=8 September 2018 |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref><ref name="Hello Kitty celebrates 30">{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/19/content_470573.htm|title=Hello Kitty celebrates 30|date=19 August 2005|work=China News Daily|access-date=28 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="timeyamaguchi">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1834451,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826115227/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1834451,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 August 2008|title=10 Questions for Yuko Yamaguchi|last=Takagi|first=Jun |date=21 August 2008|magazine=TIME |access-date=31 October 2009}}</ref> Sanrio depicts Hello Kitty as a British [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphized]] white cat with a red bow and no visible mouth.<ref name="latimes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/miranda/la-et-cam-hello-kitty-in-los-angeles-not-a-cat-20140826-column.html|title=Hello Kitty is not a cat, plus more reveals before her L.A. tour|last=Miranda|first=Carolina A.|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=26 August 2014|access-date=2018-03-06}}</ref><ref name="kotaku" /> According to her backstory, she lives in a London suburb with her family, and is close to her twin sister Mimmy, who is depicted with a yellow bow.<ref name="sanriocharacterdetails" /><ref name="sanriofriend" />

Hello Kitty was created in 1974 and the first item, a vinyl coin purse, was introduced in 1975.<ref name="Anderson16"/><ref name="Phoenix40"/> Originally, Hello Kitty was only marketed towards [[preadolescent|pre-teenage]] girls, but beginning in the 1990s, the brand found commercial success among teenage and adult consumers as well.<ref name="independent" /> Hello Kitty's popularity also grew with the emergence of ''[[kawaii]]'' (cute) culture.<ref name="sfgate2004" /> The brand went into decline in Japan after the 1990s, but continued to grow in the international market.<ref name="nytimes2010" /> By 2010, the character was worth {{US$|5 billion|long=no}} a year and ''[[The New York Times]]'' called her a "global marketing phenomenon".<ref name="nytimes2010" /> She did about {{US$|8 billion|long=no}} at retail in 2013.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Michael |last2=Hurtado |first2=Jaqueline |title=Hello Kitty turns 40, draws 25,000 fans to convention |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/01/us/hello-kitty-convention-40th-year/index.html |work=[[CNN]] |date=2 November 2014 |access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref>

[[UNICEF]] has appointed Hello Kitty children's ambassador and the Japanese government appointed her ambassador of tourism.<ref name="independent" /> There are Sanrio [[theme park]]s based on Hello Kitty: Harmonyland in [[Hiji, Ōita]], Japan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harmonyland.jp/english/harmony/harmony.html|title=Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland|website=Harmonyland}}</ref> [[Sanrio Puroland]] in [[Tama New Town]], Tokyo, Japan, and Hello Kitty Shanghai Times in Shanghai, China.<ref name="chinadaily2019" /> The Hello Kitty [[media franchise]] has grown to include a number of [[List of Hello Kitty animated series|animated series]] targeted towards children, as well as several comics, animated films, video games, books, music albums and other media productions. A variety of products have featured the character over the years, like school supplies, clothing, [[Fashion accessory|accessories]], and toys, along with other items. In 2008, there were over 50,000 different Hello Kitty branded products.<ref name="independent" />
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==Creation and design==
[[File:Yuko Shimizu 20100702 Japan Expo 2.jpg|thumb|[[Yuko Shimizu]] was the original designer of Hello Kitty.]]
In 1962, [[Shintaro Tsuji]], founder of Sanrio, began selling rubber sandals with flowers painted on them.<ref name="Belson">{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/EL13Dh01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031214073645/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/EL13Dh01.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=14 December 2003|title=Asia Times Online - The trusted news source for information on Japan|website=Atimes.com|access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref> Tsuji noted the profits gained by adding a cute design to the shoes and hired cartoonists to design cute characters for his merchandise.<ref name="Belson"/> Hello Kitty was designed by [[Yuko Shimizu]] and was added to the lineup of early Sanrio characters in 1974.<ref name="Hello Kitty celebrates 30"/>

Hello Kitty was initially known only as {{nihongo|"the white kitten with no name"|名前のない白い子猫}}.<ref name="kotaku"/> Shimizu got the name ''Kitty'' from [[Lewis Carroll]]'s ''[[Through the Looking-Glass]]''; during a scene early in the book, Alice plays with a cat she calls ''Kitty''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4Y9QAAAAIBAJ&pg=6545,6247336&dq=yuko+shimizu+lewis+carroll&hl=en|title=Hello Kitty, You're 30|date=15 November 2004|work=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=22 March 2012}}</ref> Sanrio's motto is "social communication", and Tsuji wanted the brand name to reflect that by including a greeting. He first considered "Hi Kitty" before finally settling on "Hello Kitty", her current name.<ref name="nytimes1999">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/29/style/IHT-the-small-white-cat-that-conquered-japan.html|title=The Small White Cat That Conquered Japan|last=Tracey|first=David|newspaper=New York Times |date=29 May 1999}}</ref> Sanrio decided to make Hello Kitty [[British people|British]] because foreign countries, in particular Britain, were trendy in Japan at the time of Hello Kitty's creation. Sanrio already had several characters set in the US, and it wanted Hello Kitty to be different.<ref name="timeyamaguchi" /><ref name="independent" />

In 1976 Setsuko Yonekubo temporarily took over as lead designer for Hello Kitty, after Shimizu left Sanrio. In 1980 [[Yuko Yamaguchi]] became lead designer and has remained in charge since.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/hello-kitty-lead-designer-tells-origin-story-british-schoolgirl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827174114/https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/hello-kitty-lead-designer-tells-origin-story-british-schoolgirl | archive-date=27 August 2016 | title=Hello Kitty's lead designer tells the origin story of the British schoolgirl |date=21 June 2016 |website=Today |publication-place=Singapore}}</ref> Yamaguchi has said that fashion, movies, and TV inspire her in creating new designs. New series involving Hello Kitty with different themed designs are released regularly, following current trends.<ref name="timeyamaguchi" /><ref name="nytimes2010" />

Spokespeople for Sanrio have said that Hello Kitty has no mouth, as they want people to "project their feelings onto the character" and "be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty."<ref name="timeyamaguchi" /><ref>Walker, Rob. ''Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are''. [[Random House|Random House, Inc.]], 2008. [https://books.google.com/books?id=o8Z_qq9xjs8C&dq=%22Without+the+mouth%2C+it+is+easier%22&pg=PA18 18]. Retrieved from [[Google Books]] on 30 August 2010. {{ISBN|1-4000-6391-4}}, {{ISBN|978-1-4000-6391-8}}.</ref> Another explanation Sanrio has given for Hello Kitty's lack of a mouth is that she "speaks from the heart. She's Sanrio's ambassador to the world and isn't bound to any particular language."<ref name="independent" /> However, [[Yuko Yamaguchi]] has also said that "Kitty has a mouth" that is "hidden in the fur".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Roach |first1=Mary |title=Cute Inc. |url=https://www.wired.com/1999/12/cute/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=9 October 2022 |date=1 December 1999}}</ref> Representatives for Sanrio have said that they see Hello Kitty as a symbol of friendship, which they hope she will foster between people across the world.<ref name="timeyamaguchi" /> There has been speculation that Hello Kitty has her origins in [[Maneki Neko]], a traditional Japanese cat figurine. The name "Hello Kitty" is a back-translation of ''Maneki Neko'', meaning "beckoning cat" in English. Despite this, no definitive statement supports that speculation.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Yano|first1=Christine|title=Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty's Trek Across the Pacific|date=29 April 2013|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0822353638|page=127|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LkailjbwhVoC&pg=PA127|access-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> Hello Kitty has also instead been put forth as an early example of ''[[mukokuseki]]'', a Japanese term meaning "stateless" or "nationless" in reference to characters lacking any identifiable national background.<ref name=OanaMaria>{{cite journal |last=Bîrlea |first=Oana-Maria |title=Soft Power: 'Cute Culture', a Persuasive Strategy in Japanese Advertising |journal=TRAMES: A Journal of the Humanities & Social Sciences |volume=27 |number=3 |date=July 2023 |pages=311–24 |doi=10.3176/tr.2023.3.07|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==History and reception==
[[File:Hello Kitty coin purse.jpg|thumb|left|Hello Kitty first appeared on a vinyl coin purse sold in Japan in 1975.<ref name="Anderson16">{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Kirsten |title=What Is the Story of Hello Kitty? |date=2019 |publisher=Penguin Random House |location=New York |pages=16–19 |isbn=9781524788391}}</ref><ref name="Phoenix40">{{cite book |last1=Phoenix |first1=Woodrow |title=Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World |date=2006 |publisher=Kodansha International |location=New York City |isbn=9784770030177 |page=40}}</ref>]]
The character's first appearance on an item was in March 1975 on a vinyl coin purse sold in Japan, where she was pictured sitting between a bottle of milk and a goldfish bowl.<ref name="Anderson16"/><ref name="Phoenix40"/><ref name="glamour2014">{{cite web |last1=Radloff |first1=Jessica |title=40 Awesome Photos to Celebrate Hello Kitty's 40th Anniversary! |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/40-awesome-photos-from-hello-k |website=Glamour |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=8 September 2021 |date=17 October 2014}}</ref> She first appeared in the [[United States]] in 1976 when Sanrio opened a Gift Gate store in [[San Jose, California]].<ref name="Dhamija">{{cite web|url=http://www.toydirectory.com/MONTHLY/Apr2003/designinspiration.asp|title=Designing an Icon: Hello Kitty Transcends Generational and Cultural Limits|last=Dhamija|first=Tina|date=1 April 2003|publisher=ToyDirectory|access-date=28 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206144021/http://toydirectory.com/MONTHLY/Apr2003/designinspiration.asp|archive-date=6 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Anderson45">{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Kirsten |title=What Is the Story of Hello Kitty? |date=2019 |publisher=Penguin Random House |location=New York |page=45 |isbn=9781524788391}}</ref>

Hello Kitty sold well immediately after her 1975 launch, and Sanrio's sales increased sevenfold.<ref name="nytimes2010" /> Due to Japan's growing economy, many Japanese children could afford to buy Hello Kitty products.<ref name="Anderson20">{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Kirsten |title=What Is the Story of Hello Kitty? |date=2019 |publisher=Penguin Random House |location=New York |pages=20–21 |isbn=9781524788391 |url=https://penguinrandomhousehighereducation.com/book/?isbn=9781524788414 |access-date=25 October 2022 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025132253/https://penguinrandomhousehighereducation.com/book/?isbn=9781524788414 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her popularity also grew with the emergence of ''[[kawaii]]'' culture, which embraces cuteness.<ref name="sfgate2004">{{cite news |last1=Gomez |first1=Edward |title=How Hello Kitty Came to Rule the World / With little advertising and no TV spinoff, Sanrio's 30-year-old feline turned cute into the ultimate brand |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/ASIAN-POP-How-Hello-Kitty-Came-to-Rule-the-World-3237700.php |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle|SF Gate]] |date=July 14, 2004|access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref>

[[UNICEF]] named Hello Kitty as children's ambassador to the United States in 1983, children's ambassador in Japan in 1994, and gave her the title of ''UNICEF Special Friend of Children'' in 2004, a title unique to her.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.un.org/en/delegate/5-surprising-facts-about-hello-kitty%C2%A0 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013114542/https://www.un.org/en/delegate/5-surprising-facts-about-hello-kitty%C2%A0 | archive-date=13 October 2022 | title=5 surprising facts about Hello Kitty &#124; United Nations |website=United Nations |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.sanriotown.com/kt_world:hellokitty.com/2007/03/23/unicef-special-friend-of-children/|date=23 March 2007|title=UNICEF Special Friend of Children|website=Sanriotown.com|access-date=1 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220010041/http://blog.sanriotown.com/kt_world:hellokitty.com/2007/03/23/unicef-special-friend-of-children/|archive-date=20 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040610b6.html|title=Hello Kitty marks 30th birthday |date=10 June 2004|newspaper=The Japan Times Online|access-date=1 October 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219234220/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040610b6.html|archivedate=19 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Originally, Hello Kitty was only marketed towards a child and preteen audience. In the 1990s, the target market for Hello Kitty was broadened to include teenagers and adults as a [[Retro style|retro brand]].<ref name="timeyamaguchi" /><ref name="independent" /> Marketing to those who could not get Hello Kitty merchandise as children, and those who fondly remember items they had, Sanrio began selling Hello Kitty branded products such as purses and laptops.<ref name="timeyamaguchi" /><ref name="independent" /><ref name="nytimes2010" /> The 1994–1996 ''Face'' series was the first to be designed specifically for mature consumers.<ref name="timeyamaguchi" />

The Hello Kitty brand rose to greater prominence internationally during the late 1990s. At that time, several celebrities, such as [[Mariah Carey]], had adopted Hello Kitty as a fashion statement.<ref name="independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/top-cat-how-hello-kitty-conquered-the-world-831522.html|title= Top cat: how 'Hello Kitty' conquered the world|last=Walker|first=Esther |date=21 May 2008|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=19 September 2008 | location=London}}</ref> New products featuring the character were made available in a large variety of American [[department store]]s.

Hello Kitty's popularity in Japan peaked in the late 1990s when she was the country's top-grossing character. In 2002, Hello Kitty lost her place as the top-grossing character in Japan in the Character Databank popularity chart. In a 2010 survey, she was in third place behind [[Anpanman]] and [[Pikachu]] from ''[[Pokémon]]''.<ref name="nytimes2010">{{cite news |title=In Search of Adorable, as Hello Kitty Gets Closer to Goodbye |first=Hiroko |last=Tabuchi |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=14 May 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/business/global/15kitty.html }}</ref> In 2010, ''[[The New York Times]]'' attributed the character's relative decline in Japan to her biography not being "compelling enough to draw many fans." The newspaper later wrote that analysts called the characterization "weak",<ref name="nytimes2010" /> and that Hello Kitty not having a mouth has dampened her success as an animated TV character.<ref name="nytimes2010" /> According to Character Databank, Hello Kitty was the third highest-grossing character in Japan as of 2013.<ref>{{cite book |title=CharaBiz DATA 2014(13) |year=2014 |publisher=Character Databank, Ltd. |url=https://www.charabiz.com/book_detail.php?tab=news&article_id=6568 |language=ja}}</ref> In 2019 and 2020, Character Databank ranked her fifth, and as of 2021 she was out of the top five.<ref>{{cite web |title=CharaBiz DATA 2019(18) |publisher=Character Databank, Ltd. |url=https://www.charabiz.com/book_detail.php?tab=news&article_id=10493 |website=www.charabiz.com |access-date=23 November 2022 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CharaBiz DATA 2020(19) |publisher=Character Databank, Ltd. |url=https://www.charabiz.com/book_detail.php?tab=news&article_id=11267 |website=www.charabiz.com |access-date=23 November 2022 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CharaBiz DATA 2021(20) |publisher=Character Databank, Ltd. |url=https://www.charabiz.com/book_detail.php?tab=news&article_id=12007 |website=www.charabiz.com |access-date=23 November 2022 |language=ja}}</ref>

Overseas, her global popularity has increased over the years.<ref name="nytimes2010" /> According to Sanrio, Hello Kitty was appearing on 12,000 new products each year as of 1999.<ref name="nytimes1999" /> Beginning in 2007, following trends in Japan, Sanrio began using darker designs for Hello Kitty with more black and less pink and pulled away from ''kawaii'' styles.<ref name="nytimes2010" /> By 2008, Hello Kitty was responsible for half of Sanrio's $1 billion net income, and there were over 50,000 different Hello Kitty branded products in more than 60 countries.<ref name="independent" /> By 2010 the character was worth {{US$|5 billion|long=no}} a year and ''[[The New York Times]]'' called her a "global marketing phenomenon".<ref name="nytimes2010" /> Worldwide annual sales reached {{US$|8 billion|long=no}} in 2013.<ref name="cnn"/>

In July 2008, the Dutch artist [[Dick Bruna]], creator of [[Miffy]], alleged that Hello Kitty is a copy of Miffy, being rendered in a similar style. He stated disapprovingly in an interview for the British newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'': "That [...] is a copy [of Miffy], I think. I don't like that at all. I always think, 'No, don't do that. Try to make something that you think of yourself'."<ref name="bruna">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/donotmigrate/3557810/Dick-Bruna-creator-of-the-Miffy-books-talks-about-his-life-and-work.html Dick Bruna, creator of the Miffy books, talks about his life and work ''The Daily Telegraph'', 31 July 2008],</ref> Mercis, the firm that managed copyrights for Bruna, took Sanrio to court over their Hello Kitty-associated character Cathy, a rabbit which made her first appearance in 1976 and which Mercis argued infringed the copyright for Miffy. A court in Amsterdam ruled in favour of Mercis in November 2010 and ordered Sanrio to stop the production and sale of merchandise featuring Cathy in the [[Benelux]] countries. However, in June 2011, the two companies announced that they had reached a settlement agreement to end their legal dispute. Sanrio stopped using the Cathy character, and the two firms jointly donated €150,000 for reconstruction after the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/japans-hello-kitty-resolves-bunny-battle-miffy-055851012.html |title=Japan's Hello Kitty resolves bunny battle with Miffy |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=8 June 2011 |website=[[news.yahoo.com]]|access-date=4 March 2017}}</ref>

As of 2014, 90% of the profits from Hello Kitty came from licensing of products for the international market.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://soranews24.com/2014/12/03/hello-kitty-is-really-international-now-making-90-of-her-money-abroad/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021035602/https://soranews24.com/2014/12/03/hello-kitty-is-really-international-now-making-90-of-her-money-abroad/ | archive-date=21 October 2020 | title=Hello Kitty now makes 90% of her money abroad | newspaper=Soranews24 -Japan News- | date=3 December 2014 }}</ref> She has been particularly popular in other Asian countries for decades, such as in China, where her cultural impact is comparable to that of [[Barbie]] in the Western world.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Prange |first1=Christiane |title=Market Entry in China: Case Studies on Strategy, Marketing, and Branding |date=2016 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9783319291390 |page=155 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nqkqDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA155}}</ref> In 2008, Japan named Hello Kitty the ambassador of Japanese tourism in both China and Hong Kong, marking the first time [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan)|Japan's tourism ministry]] had appointed a fictional character to the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24708771|title=Hello Kitty named Japan tourism ambassador|date=19 May 2008|work=[[NBC News]]|access-date=1 October 2008}}</ref> Sharon Kinsella, a lecturer at Oxford University on Japanese sociology, called the selection of Hello Kitty "a bit farcical ... as if a dumbed-down cultural icon ... can somehow do something significant to alter the gnarly and difficult state of [[China–Japan relations]]."<ref name="independent" />

In the United States, Hello Kitty is recognized by more than 80% of young adults in the 18–23 age group, {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref name="Greffe">{{cite book |last1=Greffe |first1=Xavier |title=The Artist–Enterprise in the Digital Age |date=29 June 2016 |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media]] |isbn=978-4-431-55969-6 |page=127 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YuQDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 |quote=22,000 products, an annual turnover of half a billion dollars between 1978 and 2002, a recognition rate of more than 80% among young Americans in the 18–23 age group!}}</ref> In 2014 a four-day convention, Hello Kitty Con in [[Los Angeles]], attracted over 25,000 visitors. The convention was held in celebration of Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary.<ref name="Anderson89">{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Kirsten |title=What Is the Story of Hello Kitty? |date=2019 |publisher=Penguin Random House |location=New York |pages=89–90 |isbn=9781524788391}}</ref> Sanrio's [[Puroland]] Tokyo theme park also held a celebration spanning several days in November 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/topics_event/topics/141028/topics.html |title=Hello Kitty's 40th Anniversary / Official Tokyo Travel Guide GO TOKYO |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907170324/http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/topics_event/topics/141028/topics.html |archive-date=7 September 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Character==
Hello Kitty is a ''[[gijinka]]'', an [[anthropomorphism]] or personification of a [[Japanese Bobtail|Japanese Bobtail cat]].<ref name="rocketnews24">{{cite web|title=Hello Kitty isn't a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!|date=28 August 2014 |url=http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/08/28/hello-kitty-isnt-a-cat-we-called-sanrio-to-find-out/|accessdate=29 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="kotaku">{{cite web|last1=Ashcroft|first1=Brian|title=Don't Be Silly, Hello Kitty Is a Cat | website=[[Kotaku]] |date=28 August 2014 |url=http://kotaku.com/dont-be-silly-hello-kitty-is-a-cat-1627820750|accessdate=29 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="npr">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/03/131755914/hello-kitty-hooks-generations-on-cute-kitsch |title=Hello Kitty Hooks Generations On Cute, Kitsch |publisher=NPR |date=3 December 2010 |access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref> Official character profiles list her full name as {{nihongo|Kitty White|キティ・ホワイト|Kiti Howaito}}, born in the suburbs of [[London, England]], on November 1. Her height is described as five apples and her weight as three apples. She is portrayed as a bright and kind-hearted girl, very close to her twin sister Mimmy. She is good at baking cookies and loves her mama's homemade apple pie. She likes to play the piano and collect cute things, and her favorite subjects in school are English, music, and art.<ref name="sanriocharacterdetails" /><ref name="sanriofamily">{{cite web|title=Sanrio - Hello Kitty Family |url=http://www.hellokitty.ne.jp/english/kt_family.html |publisher=Sanrio |accessdate=25 July 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816230401/http://www.sanrio.co.jp/characters/hellokitty/english/kt_family.html |archivedate=16 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="sanriofriend">{{cite web | url=https://www.sanrio.com/blogs/sanrio/sanrio-friend-of-the-month-hello-kitty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919093230/https://www.sanrio.com/blogs/sanrio/sanrio-friend-of-the-month-hello-kitty | archive-date=19 September 2022 | title=Sanrio Friend of the Month: Hello Kitty |website=Sanrio}}</ref>

Hello Kitty is portrayed with a large family with the surname ''White''. Her twin sister Mimmy is described as "shy and very girly", interested in sewing and dreaming of marriage. While Hello Kitty wears a red bow on her left ear, Mimmy wears a yellow one on her right. Their papa George is described as dependable, humorous but also absent-minded. Their mama Mary is portrayed as a good cook who loves doing housework. Grandpa Anthony likes to tell stories and grandma Margaret likes sewing.<ref name="sanriofamily" /><ref name="sanriofriend" /> In addition to family, Hello Kitty is also depicted with several animal friends, including the mice Joey and Judy, the bears Tippy and Thomas, the raccoon Tracy and the squirrel Rorry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sanrio.com/character/1970/hello-kitty?_=1543031153298 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124034601/https://www.sanrio.com/character/1970/hello-kitty?_=1543031153298 | archive-date=2018-11-24 | title=Hello Kitty &#124; Sanrio Timeline }}</ref>

Aside from the core Hello Kitty characters, several spinoff characters have been created: Hello Kitty's boyfriend [[Dear Daniel]] in 1999, [[Charmmy Kitty]], Hello Kitty's pet cat, and Sugar, her pet hamster, both in 2004, and her superhero alter-ego [[Ichigoman]] in 2011.<ref name="glamour2014" /><ref name="ichigoman2016" />

[[SFGATE]] said in 2004 that in light of the level of success of Hello Kitty, her fictional biography "seems almost too modest – or irrelevant" and "doesn't seem to have played much of a part" in the success.<ref name="sfgate2004" />

In 2014 an anthropologist was told by Sanrio that Kitty White was not simply a cat (i.e. "depicted on all fours"), describing her as a little [[England|English]] girl called Kitty White, from outside London.<ref name="latimes" /> Following reports that interpreted this to mean she was human, a Sanrio PR representative said that the organization had "never said she was a human", explaining [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphization]] by comparing the character to [[Mickey Mouse]]: "No one would mistake the Disney character for a human–but at the same time he's not quite a mouse. Just like Hello Kitty isn't a human, she's not quite a cat either."<ref name="rocketnews24"/> Sanrio stated further, "Hello Kitty was done in the motif of a cat. It's going too far to say that Hello Kitty is not a cat."<ref name="kotaku"/>

==Media==
===Animated series===
{{Further|List of Hello Kitty animated series}}

There have been several different animated series starring Hello Kitty. The first was ''[[Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater]]'', an animated television series with 13 22-minute episodes that premiered in 1987.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Crump |first1=William D. |title=Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film |date=2019 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=9781476672939 |page=132}}</ref> The next, an [[Original Video Animation|OVA]] titled ''[[Hello Kitty and Friends]]'', spanned 30 entries originally released in Japan between 1989 and 1994. ''Hello Kitty's Paradise'' came out in 1999 and was 16 episodes long. ''Hello Kitty's Stump Village'' came out in 2005, and ''[[The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends]]'' came out in 2008 and has aired 52 episodes. A [[fictional crossover|crossover]] series under the name ''Kiss Hello Kitty'' (that paired animated versions of the members of the rock band [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] with Hello Kitty) was announced in March 2013. Produced by [[Gene Simmons]], this show was supposed to air on The Hub Network (now [[Discovery Family]]),<ref>{{cite news|last=Lockner|first=Melissa|title=Hello Kitty and KISS to Team Up For New Animated Series|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/03/29/hello-kitty-and-kiss-to-team-up-for-new-animated-series/|access-date=18 January 2015|magazine=TIME|date=29 March 2013}}</ref> but it never came to fruition.

''{{Interlanguage link|Hello Kitty's Paradise|ja|3=キティズパラダイス}}'' was a long-running live-action children's program that aired on [[TV Tokyo]] from January 1999 to March 2011. It was the longest-running weekly kids' television program in the network's history. In January 2011, the show's creators mutually agreed to end the series after twelve seasons, with the final episode being broadcast on 29 March 2011.

In August 2018, Sanrio began streaming a CGI animated series on [[YouTube]]. It features Hello Kitty talking to the camera about her life in the style of [[vlog]]ging YouTubers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/08/30-1/hello-kitty-makes-her-virtual-youtuber-debut |website=Crunchyroll.com |title=Hello Kitty Makes Her Virtual Youtuber Debut |last=Chapman |first=Paul |date=30 August 2018 |df=dmy-all |access-date=19 September 2018 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132653/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/08/30-1/hello-kitty-makes-her-virtual-youtuber-debut |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2018/8/30/17801812/hello-kitty-youtube-vlog |work=[[The Verge]] |title=Hello Kitty has no mouth, and she must vlog |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=30 August 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Sanrio began streaming the newest 2D animated Hello Kitty series ''Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures'' on YouTube on 26 October 2020.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/eC_5OwDYUVs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201031005224/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC_5OwDYUVs&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC_5OwDYUVs| title = Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures Trailer {{!}} Supercute Adventures | website=[[YouTube]]| date = 14 October 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Comics===
Hello Kitty had two [[Manga|Japanese comic series]] serialized in ''[[Ribon]]'', a [[shōjo manga]] magazine - ''Hello Kitty Doki'' (ran from May 2007 to April 2008)<ref>{{anime News Network|manga|9837|Hello Kitty Doki}}</ref> and ''Hello Kitty Peace'' (released in June 2008).<ref>{{anime News Network|manga|9838|Hello Kitty Peace}}</ref>

In March 2016, Sanrio launched a [[webcomic]] featuring Hello Kitty as a [[strawberry]]-themed superhero called [[Ichigoman]] (''ichigo'' meaning strawberry). The webcomic is created by [[Toshiki Inoue]] and Shakua Sinkai and updates once a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://comicsalliance.com/online-manga-hello-kitty-fighting-monsters/ |work=[[ComicsAlliance]] |title=New Online Manga Sees Hello Kitty Fighting Monsters With Her Giant Robot |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=16 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318125754/http://comicsalliance.com/online-manga-hello-kitty-fighting-monsters/ |archive-date=18 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Ichigoman first appeared in 2011 in an exhibition with [[Yuko Yamaguchi]]'s art.<ref name="ichigoman2016">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-15/hello-kitty-superhero-alter-ego-ichigoman-gets-web-manga/.99807|work=[[Anime News Network]]|title=Hello Kitty's Superhero Alter Ego Ichigoman Gets Web Manga|date=15 March 2016}}</ref>

===Music===
Hello Kitty has her own branded album, ''Hello World'', featuring Hello Kitty-inspired songs performed by a collection of artists including [[Keke Palmer]], [[Cori Yarckin]], and [[Ainjel Emme]] under Hello Kitty's [[Lakeshore Entertainment|Lakeshore Records]] record label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lakeshore-records.com/hellokitty/|title=Lakeshore Records|website=Lakeshore-records.com|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003231200/http://www.lakeshore-records.com/hellokitty/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hello Kitty was also chosen by [[AH Software]] to be the basis of the new [[Vocaloid]] {{Nihongo|Nekomura Iroha|猫村いろは|Nekomura Iroha}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ah-soft.com/vocaloid/iroha/index.html|title=VOCALOID2 猫村いろは|trans-title=Vocaloid 2 Nekomura Iroha|publisher=AH Software|access-date=16 September 2010|language=ja}}</ref> to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sanrio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dtm.newsblog.jp/archives/51468636.html |title=ハローキティといっしょ!×VOCALOID2って何だ!? |trans-title=Hello Kitty Together with Vocaloid 2; What the!? |author=Fujimoto, Ken |publisher=[[Livedoor]] |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=20 August 2010 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820075623/http://dtm.newsblog.jp/archives/51468636.html |archive-date=20 August 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Musician [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki]] unveiled the Hello Kitty theme song "Hello Hello" in November 2014 at the first Hello Kitty Con. Yoshiki, who was the first celebrity to have his own Hello Kitty doll, "Yoshikitty", was approached by Yamaguchi to compose the song seven years prior.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.yahoo.com/music/bp/yoshiki-debuts-official-hello-kitty-theme-song-at-hello-kitty-con-061843229.html | title = Yoshiki Debuts Official Hello Kitty Theme Song at Hello Kitty Con | publisher = [[Yahoo!]] | date = 1 November 2014 | access-date = 30 January 2016 | author = Parker, Lyndsey }}</ref>

===Video games===
There are numerous ''Hello Kitty'' games starting with the release of the first title for Famicom in 1992; however, the majority of these games were never released outside of Japan. Hello Kitty also has made cameo appearances in games featuring other Sanrio characters, such as the [[Keroppi]] game, ''Kero Kero Keroppi no Bōken Nikki: Nemureru Mori no Keroleen''. Special-edition consoles such as the [[Dreamcast#Hardware and accessories|Hello Kitty Dreamcast]], Hello Kitty Game Boy Pocket, and Hello Kitty Crystal Xbox have also been released exclusively in Japan.

Hello Kitty appeared as a guest character in [[Sega]]'s ''[[Sonic Dash]]'' in 2016, as part of Sega's partnership with Sanrio. Hello Kitty and [[List of Sanrio characters#My Melody (1975)|My Melody]] (another Sanrio character) appeared together in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' as unlockable Mystery Mushroom costumes. Hello Kitty appears as a playable character via [[downloadable content]] in ''[[Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/super_monkey_ball_banana_mania_will_have_hello_kitty_paid_dlc|title=Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Will Have Hello Kitty Paid DLC|date=1 September 2021|website=Nintendolife.com|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> {{anchor|Cutest Friend}}A costume based on Hello Kitty, as well as a Hello Kitty-inspired costume known as "Cutest Friend", were available as rewards in ''[[Fall Guys]]'' as part of the first Season 4: Creative Construction Fame Pass.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/video-games/hello-kitty-debuts-in-fall-guys-season-4-creative-construction|title=Hello Kitty Debuts in 'Fall Guys' Season 4: Creative Construction|date=11 May 2023|website=Licenseglobal.com|access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref>

====Partial list of Hello Kitty video games====
{{category see also|Hello Kitty video games}}
*''[[Hello Kitty no Hanabatake]]'' (1992, [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]]): a platformer
*''[[Balloon Kid#Ports and related releases|Hello Kitty World]]'' (1992, [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]]): a Famicom port of ''[[Balloon Kid]]'' co-developed by [[Nintendo]] and Character Soft.
*''Hello Kitty's Big Fun Piano'' (1994, [[Personal computer|PC]]): a piano simulation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/hello-kittys-big-fun-piano|title=Hello Kitty's Big Fun Piano|publisher=MobyGames|access-date=28 December 2008}}</ref>
*''Kitty the Kool'' (1998, [[PlayStation]]) a game from [[Imagineer (Japanese company)|Imagineer]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Yutaka|last=Ohbuchi|url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/12_kitty/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011212805/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/12_kitty/index.html|title=One Phat Kitty|website=[[GameSpot]]|archivedate=October 11, 2000|date=March 12, 1998|accessdate=October 29, 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Hello Kitty's Cube Frenzy]]'' (1998, [[Game Boy Color]], [[PlayStation]]): a [[Life simulation game|life simulation]]/[[minigame]] collection
*''DDR Hello Kitty'' (1999, [[Bemani Pocket]]): a handheld ''Hello Kitty'' game in the ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'' series
*The ''[[List_of_Simple_series_video_games#Simple_1500_Hello_Kitty_Series|Hello Kitty Simple 1500]]'' series ([[PlayStation]]): a series of specifically low-priced games
*''Gotouchi Hello Kitty Sugoroku Monogatari'' (2003, PlayStation): a [[sugoroku]]-based game
*''Hello Kitty: Happy Party Pals'' (2005, [[Game Boy Advance]]): an action/adventure game
*''[[Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue]]'' (2005, [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]]): an action/adventure game
*''Mainichi Suteki! Hello Kitty no Life Kit'' (2007, [[Nintendo DS]]): a puzzle game<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mainichi-suteki-hello-kitty-no-life-kit/ | title=Mainichi Suteki Hello Kitty no Life Kit | quote=[[Nintendo DS|DS]] - Released On: Sep 13, 2007 | website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
*The ''Hello Kitty Simple 2000'' series (2007, [[PlayStation 2]]): a series of specifically low-priced games
*''[[Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams]]'' (2008, [[Nintendo DS]]): an adventure game published by [[Empire Interactive]] developed by Sanrio Digital. In the game, Hello Kitty moves to the Big City where she meets other Sanrio characters and makes new friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/objects/142/14250212.html|title=Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=28 December 2008}}</ref>
*''{{Visible anchor|Hello Kitty Daily}}'' (2008, [[Nintendo DS]]): a [[Personal digital assistant|PDA]] application featuring a diary, calendar, alarm clock, money managing system and school planner<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hello-kitty-daily/ | title=Hello Kitty Daily | quote=[[Nintendo DS|DS]] - Released On: Nov 14, 2008 | website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
*''[[Hello Kitty Online]]'' (2009, [[Personal computer|PC]]): an online [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPG]] developed by Sanrio Digital and [[Typhoon Games]]. The game allows players to create and customize characters, then use them to battle monsters, socialize with one another, mine for ore, do domestic chores like farming or cooking, and participate in quests.
*''Hello Kitty Parachute Paradise'' (2009, [[iPhone]]/[[iPod Touch]]): an iPhone game with tilt-based controls<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hellokittyparachuteparadise.sanriotown.com |title=Hello Kitty Parachute Paradise |publisher=ZIO Interactive |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805152019/http://hellokittyparachuteparadise.sanriotown.com/ |archive-date=5 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
*''[[Apron of Magic]]'' (2010, Arcade, [[iOS]], [[Nintendo 3DS]]): An Arcade Card Game developed by [[Examu]] to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Sanrio. The game features Hello Kitty and other notable Sanrio Characters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sickr |date=2016-02-10 |title=Get Ready To Cook To The Rhythm With Hello Kitty's Magic Apron On Nintendo 3DS |url=https://mynintendonews.com/2016/02/10/get-ready-to-cook-to-the-rhythm-with-hello-kittys-magic-apron-on-nintendo-3ds/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=My Nintendo News |language=en-US}}</ref>
*''Hello Kitty Seasons'' (2010, [[Wii]]): A game in which the playable character is appointed as Deputy Mayor to help Sanrio Town.
*''Hello Kitty Picnic'' (2012, [[Nintendo 3DS]])<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hello-kitty-picnic-with-sanrio-friends/ | title=Hello Kitty Picnic with Sanrio Friends | quote=[[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] - Released On: Oct 30, 2012 | website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
*''{{Visible anchor|Hello Kitty Kruisers}}'' (2014, [[iOS]], [[Wii U]], [[Nintendo Switch]]): A [[Racing video game#Kart racing games|kart racing game]] featuring ''Hello Kitty'' and other [[Sanrio]] characters<ref name="NLife1">{{cite web| first=Tim |last=Latshaw |date=30 March 2014 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/hello_kitty_kruisers |title=Review: Hello Kitty Kruisers |website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered websites|Nintendo Life]] |access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref>
* ''Hello Kitty and Friends: Happiness Parade'' (2022, iOS and Android; 2023, Switch): a [[rhythm game]]. The mobile versions are Netflix exclusives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/03/hello-kitty-and-friends-happiness-parade-coming-to-switch-on-april-13|title=''Hello Kitty and Friends: Happiness Parade'' coming to Switch on April 13|last=Romano|first=Sal|work=Gematsu|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=24 July 2023}}</ref>
* ''{{vanchor|[[Hello Kitty Island Adventure]]}}'' (2023, [[Apple Arcade]]; 2025, [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Personal computer|PC]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]]): a cozy [[social simulation game]] taking place on an island visited by various Sanrio characters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hello-kitty-island-adventure/id1553505132 | title=Hello Kitty Island Adventure | quote=2023 Sunblink Entertainment LLC | website=[[Apple Arcade]] | date=29 November 2023 | publisher=Sunblink Entertainment | access-date=2023-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=This Surprisingly Great Hello Kitty Game Just Got A Lot Of New Content |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-surprisingly-great-hello-kitty-game-just-got-a-lot-of-new-content/1100-6521314/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/hello-kitty-island-adventure-coming-to-ps5-ps4-switch-and-pc-in-2025|title=Hello Kitty Island Adventure coming to PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC in 2025|last=Romano|first=Sal|work=Gematsu|date=18 June 2024|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref> The game won the Apple Arcade Game of the Year award in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-30 |title=Hello Kitty Island Adventure wins Apple Arcade Game of the Year at App Store Awards |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/apple-app-store-awards-2023-winners-finalists-2633887/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=www.gameshub.com |language=en-AU}}</ref>

===Films===
Three ''Hello Kitty'' anime films were released in Japan. ''Hello Kitty: Cinderella'' released in 1989, ''Hello Kitty no Oyayubi Hime'' released in 1990, and ''Hello Kitty no Mahō no Mori no Ohime-sama'' released in 1991.<ref>{{anime News Network|anime|9156|Hello Kitty: Cinderella}}</ref>

On 3 July 2015, Sanrio announced a full-length animated Hello Kitty theatrical feature initially planned for 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Jaafar|first1=Ali|title='Hello Kitty' To Be Turned Into Film For 2019 Release|url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/hello-kitty-to-be-turned-into-film-to-be-released-in-2019-1201467715/|access-date=5 July 2015|publisher=Nikkei|magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=3 July 2015}}</ref> In early 2019, it was revealed that [[New Line Cinema]] would be teaming up alongside Sanrio and Flynn Picture Company for an "English language film based on the venerable kid brand."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barsanti|first1=Sam|title=An American Hello Kitty movie is in the works|url=https://www.avclub.com/an-american-hello-kitty-movie-is-in-the-works-1833078845|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=5 March 2019|access-date=5 March 2019}}</ref> In 2021, it was reported that Jennifer Coyle and [[Leo Matsuda]] had been hired to direct the film with [[Lindsey Anderson Beer|Lindsey Beer]] set to pen the script.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-02|title='Hello Kitty' Movie Finds Directors|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hello-kitty-movie-finds-directors|access-date=2021-03-03|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en}}</ref> In 2025, a release date was set for July 21, 2028.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2025/10/hello-kitty-release-date-1236602413/|title= ‘Hello Kitty’ Sets Summer 2028 Release From New Line & Warner Bros Pictures Animation|date= October 29, 2025|access-date= October 29, 2025|first= Anthony|last= D'Alessandro|work= Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>

==Products==
{{see also|Nekonomics}}
[[File:EVA hellokitty1.JPG|thumb|The Hello Kitty Airbus A330-200 flown by [[EVA Air]]]]
[[File:Louis vuiton hello kitty mini.JPG|thumb|Louis Vuitton Hello Kitty Mini]]
Originally aimed at the pre-adolescent female market, the Hello Kitty product range has expanded from dolls, stickers, greeting cards, board games,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Puck |first1=Samantha |title=A Hello Kitty Tabletop Game Is Coming! |url=https://www.themarysue.com/a-hello-kitty-tabletop-game-is-coming/ |website=The Mary Sue |date=25 April 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023}}</ref> clothes, backpacks, lunch boxes, piggy banks, pencils, erasers, accessories, school supplies and stationery to purses, toasters, televisions, other home appliances, massagers, motor oil<ref name="Hello Kitty Motor Oil">{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-18-hello-kitty-engine-oil-because-not-everyone-can-drive-electric.html|title=Hello Kitty engine oil, because not everyone can drive electric cars|last=Murph|first=Darren|date=18 June 2010|work=Engadget|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207065950/https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-18-hello-kitty-engine-oil-because-not-everyone-can-drive-electric.html|access-date=7 December 2020|archive-date=7 December 2020}}</ref> and computer equipment. These products range from mass market items to high-end consumer products and rare collectibles.<ref name="Sanrio's Hula Kitty heads to the beach">{{cite web |url=http://starbulletin.com/2003/05/18/business/story3.html |last=Paschal |title=Sanrio's Hula Kitty heads to the beach |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=18 May 2003 |access-date=30 April 2015 |archive-date=25 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050825214024/http://starbulletin.com/2003/05/18/business/story3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, more than 50,000 Hello Kitty product lines were available in over 130 countries.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinson |first1=Tamara |title=Inside the cult world of Hello Kitty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/30/inside-the-cult-world-of-hello-kitty |access-date=23 November 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=30 November 2014}}</ref>

===High-end===
Sanrio and various corporate partners have released Hello Kitty-branded products, including the Hello Kitty [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocaster]] electric guitar (since 2005, with [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]], under its [[Squier]] sub-brand, in the US)<ref name="engadget2005">{{cite web |title=Hello Kitty Stratocaster guitar by Fender |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005-12-06-hello-kitty-stratocaster-guitar-by-fender.html |website=Engadget |access-date=16 December 2022 |date=2005-12-06}}</ref><ref name="stratocaster">{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/hello-kitty-stratocaster-goes-high-end/?guccounter=1 |title=Hello Kitty Stratocaster goes high-end |website=engadget |date=30 June 2006|access-date=19 June 2019|first1=Evan|last1=Blass}}</ref> and an [[Airbus A330-200]] commercial passenger jet airliner, dubbed the [[EVA Air#Special liveries|Hello Kitty Jet]] (2005–2009, with [[EVA Airways]] in Taiwan).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/12/13/2003284256 |title=World's first 'Hello Kitty' airplane to make debut Lunar New Year flights |newspaper=The Taipei Times |date=13 December 2005}}</ref> In late 2011 and early 2012, EVA Air revived their "Hello Kitty Jets" with their three new [[A330-300]]s. However, due to high demand,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/eva-airs-hello-kitty-jet-to-fly-permanently-between-singapore-and-taiwan-from |title=EVA Air's Hello Kitty jet to fly permanently between Singapore and Taiwan from June |website=The Straits Times |date=30 June 2006|access-date=19 June 2019|first1=Shea|last1=Driscoll}}</ref> the airline added two more alongside their existing A330-200s in mid-2012. A year later, EVA Air introduced one of their [[777-300ER]]s as another Hello Kitty Jet, which featured other Sanrio characters as well as Hello Kitty.

In 2009, Hello Kitty entered the wine market with a collection of four wines available for purchase online. The collection included a sparkling rosé, a sparkling white wine, a red wine, and a white wine, each adorned with Hello Kitty branding and packaging. This venture marked a strategic move to expand the product lines targeted at older audiences, combining the iconic character's charm with the sophistication of wine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/hello-kitty-wine-is-now-available-collection-features-five-different-wines |title=Hello Kitty wine is now available, collection features five different wines |work=[[KMSP-TV|Fox9 News]] |date=6 December 2017 |access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Please pass the bubbly, Hello Kitty |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/03/26/please-pass-the-bubbly-hello-kitty/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=26 March 2010|access-date=2 November 2015|first1=Catherine|last1=Garcia}}</ref>

===Establishments===

[[File:Hello Kitty coffee.jpg|thumb|Hello Kitty coffee]]
Hello Kitty is included as part of the Sanrio livery at the Japanese theme parks Harmonyland and [[Sanrio Puroland]]. The Hello Kitty Shanghai Times theme park in [[Shanghai]], China opened in 2019.<ref name="chinadaily2019">{{Cite web|url=https://govt.chinadaily.com.cn/s/201905/10/WS5cd53bee498e079e6801fd0c/hello-kitty-shanghai-times.html|title=Hello Kitty Shanghai Times|publisher=[[China Daily]]|date=2019-05-10}}</ref> A theme park called Hello Kitty Town existed in [[Iskandar Puteri]], [[Johor]], Malaysia from 2012 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/hello-kitty-town-to-shut-down-in-johors-indoor-theme-park-near-legoland|title=Hello Kitty Town to shut down in Johor's indoor theme park near Legoland|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref name=closedinmalaysia>{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/fans-say-goodbye-to-hello-kitty-as-johor-theme-park-calls-it-a-day|title=Fans say goodbye to Hello Kitty as Johor theme park calls it a day|newspaper=The Straits Times |date=January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.puteriharbour.com/play/sanrio-hello-kitty/|title=Sanrio Hello Kitty Town {{!}} Attractions in Puteri Harbour JB Malaysia|website=Puteri Harbour|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-27|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218115152/http://www.puteriharbour.com/play/sanrio-hello-kitty/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, Sanrio partnered with the Indonesian theme park [[Dufan]] to introduce Hello Kitty Adventure, a cinema based attraction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hello Kitty park to entertain Jakarta fans |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/12/16/hello-kitty-park-entertain-jakarta-fans.html |website=The Jakarta Post |access-date=5 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Hello Kitty cafés have opened around the world, including in [[Seoul]] and other locations in South Korea;<ref>{{cite news|last=Lim|first=Hyun-wook|title=Hongdae's bohemian raps and dancing|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2928607|access-date=6 March 2013|newspaper=Joongang Daily|date=20 November 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609133717/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2928607|archive-date=9 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Bangkok, Thailand]];<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d7087846-Reviews-Hello_Kitty_House-Bangkok.html |title=Hello Kitty House, Bangkok - Siam - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002141824/https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d7087846-Reviews-Hello_Kitty_House-Bangkok.html |archive-date=2 October 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Adelaide|Adelaide, Australia]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2015/11/03/hello-kitty-how-do-you-dine|title=Hello Kitty, how do you dine?|website=SBS|date=3 November 2015|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref> [[Irvine, California]];<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cafe-722554-kitty-hello.html|title=First Hello Kitty 'pop-up' cafe opens in Irvine|last=LUNA|first=NANCY|work=The Orange County Register|access-date=2017-03-29|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Westfield Santa Anita|Santa Anita Mall]] in California,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/permanent-hello-kitty-cafe|title=Sorry, Starbucks: There's Now a PERMANENT Hello Kitty Café|first=Lynsey|last=Eidell|website=Teenvogue.com|date=10 April 2017|access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref> and the [[Park MGM]] in [[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]].

There is a themed restaurant named Hello Kitty Sweets in [[Taipei]], Taiwan, which opened in 2008. The restaurant's decor and many of its dishes are patterned after the Hello Kitty characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2009/03/27/2003439508|title=RESTAURANTS : Hello Kitty Sweets|first=Catherine|last=Shu|date=27 March 2009|access-date=17 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lunchmaniac.blogspot.com/2008/04/hello-kitty-sweets-resto-in-taipei-part.html|title=Hello Kitty Sweets resto in Taipei (Part I)|date=30 April 2008|access-date=28 December 2008}}</ref> Another restaurant called the Hello Kitty Diner opened in the [[Chatswood, New South Wales|Chatswood]] area of [[Sydney]], Australia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.notquitenigella.com/2015/11/23/hello-kitty-diner-chatswood/|title=Here Kitty Kitty...Hello Kitty Diner Comes To Sydney|website=Notquitenigella.com|access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref> and a Hello Kitty [[dim sum]] restaurant opened in [[Kowloon, Hong Kong]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3850034/hello-kitty-chinese-restaurant-cuisine-hong-kong/|title=Hello Kitty Now Has Her Own Dim Sum Restaurant in Hong Kong|magazine=Time|access-date=2018-03-09}}</ref>

In 2008, a Hello Kitty-themed maternity hospital opened in [[Yuanlin, Changhua|Yuanlin, Taiwan]]. Hello Kitty is featured on the [[receiving blanket]]s, room decor, bed linens, birth certificate covers, and nurses' uniforms. The hospital's owner explained that he hoped that the theme would help ease the stress of childbirth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssLeisureProducts/idUSTP33674020081205|title=Hello baby! Hello Kitty welcomes Taiwan newborns|date=5 December 2008|website=Reuters.com|access-date=9 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/strangebuttrue/taiwan-hospital-a-hit-with-hello-kitty-fans-20090122-7n8u.html|title=Taiwan hospital a hit with Hello Kitty fans|date=21 January 2009|access-date=6 March 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=9 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409151449/http://www.smh.com.au/world/strangebuttrue/taiwan-hospital-a-hit-with-hello-kitty-fans-20090122-7n8u.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Clothing ===
[[Dr. Martens]] collaborated with Hello Kitty in 2010 and 2020. The 2020 collaboration includes platform boots, platform sandals as well as a satchel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/how-much-are-the-dr-martens-x-hello-kitty-shoes-cuteness-awaits-you-22596451|title= You Won't Get Over How Cute The Dr. Martens x Hello Kitty Collection Is}}</ref> [[Forever 21]] collaborated with Hello Kitty on clothing collections several times, the first one in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yannetta |first1=Tiffany |title=Hello Kitty Teamed Up With Forever 21, the Result Is Adorable |url=https://www.racked.com/2011/9/26/7749863/hello-kitty-teamed-up-with-forever-21-the-result-is-adorable |website=Racked |language=en |date=26 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Cat |title=Fans Wait Hours for Hello Kitty's Latest Forever 21 Collection |url=https://la.racked.com/2012/11/16/7702925/fans-wait-hours-for-hello-kitt |website=Racked LA |access-date=5 January 2023 |language=en |date=16 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hello Kitty now makes 90% of her money abroad |url=https://soranews24.com/2014/12/03/hello-kitty-is-really-international-now-making-90-of-her-money-abroad/ |website=SoraNews24 -Japan News- |access-date=5 January 2023 |date=3 December 2014}}</ref> In 2018, [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] collaborated with Hello Kitty to create a collection which features sneakers for both children and adults.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/syndication/puma-hello-kitty-collaboration|title=Puma Is Collaborating With Hello Kitty to Launch the Cutest Sneakers Ever|date=31 January 2018|first=Brooke|last=Schuldt|publisher=Travel+Leisure|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> Also in 2018, [[Converse (shoe company)|Converse]] collaborated with Sanrio to create a collection which includes shoes ranging from kids' to adult sizes as well as clothing and bags.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baez |first1=Christina |title=Sanrio x Converse to Release the Sweetest Hello Kitty Sneakers |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/pictures/sanrio-x-converse-to-release-hello-kitty-sneakers/ |website=Us Weekly |access-date=5 January 2023 |date=10 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hello Kitty gets a new job — this time appearing on Converse sneakers! |url=https://soranews24.com/2019/02/16/hello-kitty-gets-a-new-job-this-time-appearing-on-converse-sneakers/ |website=SoraNews24 -Japan News- |access-date=5 January 2023 |date=16 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Converse Unveils Super Cute Collaboration with Hello Kitty |url=https://hypebae.com/2018/8/converse-hello-kitty-chuck-taylor-all-star-release-date |website=Hypebae |date=11 August 2018 |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref> In 2020, [[Skechers]] collaborated with Hello Kitty releasing chunky-soled style shoes with brand's logo and Hello Kitty's face and bow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hypebae.com/2020/9/hello-kitty-skechers-collaboration-collection-sneakers-energy-vlite-slides-clothing-release |title=Skechers Announces Adorable Hello Kitty Sneaker Collaboration |website=hypebae.com |date=2020-09-23 |access-date=2022-07-07}}</ref> Hello Kitty is used as a brand for [[sanitary pad]]s in Asia and Latin America.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/the-philippine-star/20171003/282694752362646 |title=Say Hello to Hello Kitty Pads |via=PressReader |year=2017}}</ref>

==Legacy and impact==
[[File:Micky Green 20080720 Auxerre 8.jpg|thumb|upright|Singer-songwriter [[Micky Green]] with a Hello Kitty [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocaster]] guitar]]
In 1994, artist [[Tom Sachs (artist)|Tom Sachs]] was invited to create a scene for [[Barneys New York]] Christmas displays and titled it ''Hello Kitty Nativity''. In the scene, the [[Virgin Mary]] was replaced by [[Madonna]] with an open [[Chanel]] bra, the three Kings were all [[Bart Simpson]], the stable was marked by a [[McDonald's]] logo, and the [[Christ Child]] was replaced by Hello Kitty. This contemporary revision of the nativity scene<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/13/nyregion/barneys-halts-store-display-of-pop-creche-in-window.html?pagewanted=1 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Barneys Halts Store Display Of Pop Creche in Window |first=Bruce |last=Weber |access-date=22 April 2010 | date=13 December 1994}}</ref> demonstrated Sachs' interest in the phenomena of [[consumerism]], branding, and the cultural fetishization of products. Many audiences instead took offense to the artwork, which received backlash from Catholic organizations for its misuse of Christian symbolism.

In 2009, [[Tom Sachs (artist)|Tom Sachs']] ''Bronze Collection'' was shown at the Public art space in Manhattan's [[Lever House#Public art space|Lever House]], as well as in the Baldwin Gallery in [[Aspen, Colorado]], and the [[Trocadéro, Paris|Trocadéro]] in [[Paris]]. The collection featured white bronze casts of a foam core Hello Kitty sculpture &ndash; a style distinctive to the artist. As of April 2010, the ''Wind-Up Hello Kitty'' sculpture is still on display at Lever House.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tomsachs.org/exhibition/bronze-collection | title=Bronze Collection | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712014028/http://www.tomsachs.org/exhibition/bronze-collection |archive-date=12 July 2015 | website=[[Tom Sachs (artist)|Tom Sachs]] website |url-status=dead}}</ref> Although Sachs did not seek permission to use the character in his work, a brand marketing manager for Sanrio was quoted as saying "You know, there was [[Marilyn Monroe]] and [[Andy Warhol]], and then [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Jeff Koons]]. When you're an icon, that's what happens."<ref>Goldstein, Andrew M. [https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/47046/ "Kitsch Kitties Stolen by Unctuous Artist"] ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine (18 May 2008)</ref> In 2013 ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' said Sanrio's attitude to copyright was "[[wikt:laissez faire|laissez-faire]]" compared to companies like [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], and that they have let artists use Hello Kitty's likeness without interfering.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keane |first1=Meghan |title=How Hello Kitty Conquered the World|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324600704578405042212303354 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=12 April 2013|access-date=7 December 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In 2015, a nine-foot tall [[pearlescent]] Hello Kitty sculpture by artist [[Sebastian Masuda]] was exhibited at the [[Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza]] in [[New York City]], as part of the Japan Society's exhibition: ''Life of Cats: Selections from the Hiraki [[Ukiyo-e]] Collection''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/giant-hello-kitty-sculpture-popped-up-new-york-city|title=A Giant Hello Kitty Sculpture Just Popped Up In New York City - Catster|first=Phillip|last=Mlynar|date=29 April 2015|website=Catster.com|access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref>

Canadian singer-songwriter [[Avril Lavigne]] wrote and recorded a song called "[[Hello Kitty (song)|Hello Kitty]]" for her fifth studio album, ''[[Avril Lavigne (album)|Avril Lavigne]]'', released in 2013. The Hello Kitty [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocaster]] guitar, originally released in 2005, was initially aimed at pre-teen girls,<ref name="engadget2005" /> but has since been used by notable guitarists including [[Krist Novoselic]], [[Courtney Love]], [[Dave Navarro]], and [[Lisa Loeb]].<ref>{{cite web |title=See all things Hello Kitty at EMP's new exhibit |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/see-all-things-hello-kitty-at-emps-new-exhibit/ |website=HeraldNet.com |access-date=7 December 2022 |date=13 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lloyd |first1=Dan J. |title=Hello Kitty hits the catwalk |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2011/oct/06/hello-kitty-hits-the-catwalk |website=the Guardian |access-date=7 December 2022 |language=en |date=6 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hey, what's that sound: Hello Kitty guitar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/18/hello-kitty-guitar |website=the Guardian |access-date=7 December 2022 |language=en |date=18 May 2009}}</ref> In 2022, vintage Hello Kitty Stratocasters were among the most popular musical instruments sold on the marketplace [[Reverb.com]]. While it originally retailed for $230, some re-sold for over $1,000.<ref name="engadget2005" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/11/hello-kitty-guitar-stratocaster|title=How a Hello Kitty guitar became the hottest Stratocaster| date=11 December 2022|first=James |last=Tapper| work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

In 2022, ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' aired a sketch parodying Hello Kitty's backstory (described by ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' as "incongruous, corporate-sanctioned") and Sanrio's handling of it.<ref>{{cite web |title=SNL returns for its best episode of the season with host Keke Palmer. |url=https://www.avclub.com/snl-review-season-48-episode-7-keke-palmer-1849851635 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=5 December 2022 |language=en |date=4 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="atlantic2022">{{cite web |last1=Garber |first1=Megan |title=The 'SNL' Sketch That Perfectly Mocks Our Upside-Down Reality |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/12/snl-hello-kitty-sketch-keke-palmer/672358/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=5 December 2022 |language=en |date=4 December 2022}}</ref> The sketch centers on managers at a fictional Hello Kitty store. They describe the character in contradictory terms as a "human little girl" who is in third grade and also 48 years old.<ref name="atlantic2022" /> ''[[The Atlantic]]'' described the sketch as both "a skewering of the ever-expanding Hello Kitty commercial universe" and as capturing the [[gaslighting]] and manipulation of truth of the time.<ref name="atlantic2022" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{official website|http://www.sanrio.co.jp/character/hellokitty/}}
*[http://www.toonopedia.com/hellokit.htm Hello Kitty] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240527163111/https://www.webcitation.org/6eNHOEt5x?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/hellokit.htm Archived] from the original on 8 January 2016.

{{Hello Kitty}}
{{Sanrio}}
{{Ribon}}
{{Portal bar|Japan|Anime and manga}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hello Kitty| ]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic cats]]<!-- parent company Sanrio to clarify that Hello Kitty is actually an anthropomorphized animal, like Mickey Mouse -->
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[[Category:Fictional people from London]]<!-- her official bio states she lives with her family in suburban London -->
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