‘Actually A Little Girl’: Hello Kitty Creator Confirms Beloved Fictional Character Is Not A Cat As She Turns 50

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As a devoted fan of Hello Kitty for as long as I can remember, I was absolutely floored when I heard the news that my beloved character is not actually a cat but a little British girl instead. I have grown up with Hello Kitty, her adorable face gracing countless items in my home and in my heart. I’ve collected Hello Kitty merchandise, from stationery to clothes, and even decorated my bedroom with wall stickers featuring the iconic character.

As a longtime fan of Hello Kitty, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement as I reflect on the beloved character’s upcoming 50th anniversary. Growing up, Hello Kitty was a constant presence in my life, gracing everything from my lunchboxes to my pajamas. Her sweet, innocent demeanor brought joy and comfort to countless children, myself included.

Contrary to the long-held belief that has almost become an accepted fact, Sanrio, the Japanese corporation, insists thatHello Kitty is indeed a little girl with British origins.

Hello Kitty’s true identity revealed

A decade ago, the truth about Hello Kitty’s real identity was made clear, but many mainstream fans remained unaware. To help clarify this during Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, Sanrio decided to present her as a young girl with a passion for baking.

Jill Koch, Sanrio’s VP of marketing and management, shared some intriguing details about Hello Kitty during an appearance on the Today show on July 18. Contrary to popular belief, Hello Kitty is not just a character but a little girl who grew up in London’s suburbs. She has a loving family consisting of her parents and her twin sister/best friend, Minnie. In her free time, Hello Kitty enjoys baking delicious cookies and making new friendships.

An official from Sanrio confirmed once again that Hello Kitty is a female character. A surprising detail emerged about her: she has a pet cat called Charmmy Kitty, according to People.

After the surprising revelation about the interview appeared online, fans were left in disbelief and confusion. One fan strongly objected on X (previously known as Twitter), arguing, “You can’t change history – it’s a cat!” Meanwhile, a TikTok user expressed her doubt, asking if the cartoon character was attempting to manipulate her followers.

More to know about Hello Kitty’s real background

In her 2013 book, “Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Journey across the Pacific,” Christine R. Yano explored the worldwide appeal of Hello Kitty. However, it’s important to clarify that Hello Kitty is not a cat, as Sanrio had corrected the author before her book was published.

As a longtime fan of Hello Kitty, I’ve always found her quirky personality and love for all things apple endearing. The recent revelation that her real name is Kitty White and she’s a “perpetual third-grader” with a star sign of Scorpio adds another layer of depth to her character.

Author Yano shared that the reason Hello Kitty is portrayed as a British girl stems from the strong influence of Britain on Japanese culture during her creation. Particularly, Japanese women were deeply intrigued by the British way of life at that time.

Yuko Shimizu initially designed Hello Kitty in 1974, which later evolved into a popular brand for kids’ merchandise that persisted throughout the following decades and remains influential up to now.

The author argued that Hello Kitty is depicted as if she’s always on two legs, engaging in activities more akin to a human girl rather than a feline one. Consequently, she should be considered a cartoon character rather than a cat. Despite the presence of cat-like features such as ears and a moustache on Hello Kitty’s face, this is a matter for Sanrio to explain to their fans.

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2024-07-21 08:07