In Hello Kitty We Trust: A Look Into the Recent Sanrio Brigade
Image Courtesy: Strike Magazine Tallahassee
Starting from humble beginnings, Hello Kitty has found herself as an international household name. Her cute appearance and friendly demeanor have gained the attention of children and adults worldwide through both media and physical products. The feminine, eye-catching aesthetic she emulates has kept people shopping for Hello Kitty-branded clothing, school supplies, and many more items for decades. While she remains the ringleader and spokesperson throughout her rise to fame, she has grabbed new friends along the way that have begun to share the spotlight!
Image Courtesy: Hello Subscription
Up until a few years ago, the only well-known name from Sanrio internationally was Hello Kitty. While fans of the brand could tell you about some of the other characters, it was uncommon for the general public to be able to name the Little Twin Stars or Badtz Maru. Recently, the popularity of the rest of the Sanrio friends has grown exponentially. But what is the reason for this? Why has this bundle of side characters suddenly gained relevance in Western pop culture?
Image Courtesy: Grape
Each Sanrio character has a unique design that draws people toward them. Everyone has their signature color palette and signa. While most of these characters originate from animals such as cats or dogs, they are all drawn in a way that separates them from each other and other animal mascots. Pochacco, Pompompurrin, and Cinnamaroll are all dog characters; however, each has such a distinct design that they hardly share any physical similarities. Each one exudes its own energy that draws people in. Looking further, every character has their own biography as well. Taking a quick dive into the Sanrio website, you can learn about a character’s family, their birthday, favorite color, hobbies they have for their downtime, and so much more! Making these characters multi-dimensional helps to draw people in beyond aesthetic reasons.
An extremely important part of growing up for this generation has been finding sub-groups we identify with. Whether it’s zodiac signs, MBTI, or even just “Which Character Are You?” quizzes on Buzzfeed, we feel a desire to find someone or something to easily relate to. Doing so helps us find people similar to us and helps us connect. The Sanrio cast has created a new way to label ourselves! A quick search on TikTok will pull up plenty of “What your favorite Sanrio character says about you” videos, where each character is given specific mannerisms and interests that you just might relate to. With Sanrio’s branding, you can easily purchase various items with your favorite character on display. Having these makes it easy for fans to identify themselves and others with similar tastes. This helps make finding other people who will match your vibe simpler and cuter than ever!
Image Courtesy: Sanrio
It may seem a bit out of the blue to some, but the Sanrio cast’s rise to fame is not a surprise to those obsessed with all things cute and feminine. The array of friends each with their own personality and look has been drawing in people for years! If you don’t have a favorite already, I recommend taking a look yourself, there’s sure to be one that draws you in. It’s only a matter of time before every pencil and accessory you own is adorned in their design!
Strike Out,
Writer: Dana Liberto
Editor: Addy Crosby
Graphic Designer: Kate Fernandez
Tallahassee