In a surprising revelation, Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, confirmed that the iconic character is not a cat. Despite her feline appearance, complete with whiskers and pointy ears, Hello Kitty is actually a little girl, according to Sanrio. This surprising detail was brought to light by Christine Yano, a curator who worked with Sanrio on an exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.
Hello Kitty, created in 1974, first appeared on a vinyl coin purse sold in Japan and has since become a global phenomenon, inspiring toys, accessories, clothing, games, and TV shows. For years, fans assumed Hello Kitty was a cat due to her name and appearance. However, Sanrio firmly corrected Yano when she referred to Hello Kitty as a cat in her exhibit script. According to Sanrio, Hello Kitty is a cartoon character who is a little girl and a friend, but not a cat.
This revelation explains why Hello Kitty is never depicted walking on all fours and has a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty. Sanrio’s official bio for Hello Kitty describes her as a bright little girl with a heart of gold, who loves baking cookies, playing the piano, and dreams of becoming a pianist or poet. She has a twin sister named Mimmy, and they are best friends.
The news that Hello Kitty is not a cat has baffled fans, sparking a mix of disbelief and humor online. Some fans have expressed their shock, pointing out her whiskers, pointy ears, and name as evidence of her feline nature. Despite the surprising nature of this revelation, it adds a new layer to the beloved character’s identity and history.
