The Surprising Identity of Hello Kitty
With 50 prosperous years in commerce and a staggering $5bn (£3.87bn) in retail sales last year, one might assume that Hello Kitty is the epitome of contentment.
However, shockingly, her creators have unveiled that she is not a cat after all.
“Believe it or not, she’s actually a little girl – born and raised in the suburbs of London,” disclosed Jill Cook, the director of retail business development at Sanrio, the Japanese company behind this iconic character.
“She’s part of a family with a mum, dad, and a twin sister named Mimmy, who also happens to be her closest companion.”
The Hello Kitty balloon makes its way through Manhattan in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York in 2015. Pic: Reuters
Aside from this revelation, it’s known that she relishes baking cookies and forging new friendships.
To further astonish fans, Ms Cook divulged during an interview on Sky’s US partner network NBC’s Today Show that Hello Kitty “weighs as much as three apples and stands as tall as five apples.” Despite her feline appearance, she’s actually a human child who owns a pet cat and is romantically involved with a character named Daniel, along with having a multitude of friends.
“Her fundamental message revolves around themes of camaraderie, benevolence, and the spirit of inclusivity. These elements are what have enabled her to transcend borders, languages, and cultures, resonating universally with people,” reflected Ms Cook.
Hello Kitty made her debut back in 1974, initially appearing on a children’s coin purse in Japan. Since then, she has evolved into one of the most iconic figures in popular culture, with a wide array of merchandise including toys, animated series, a themed amusement park, and a comprehensive clothing line significantly contributing to her enduring success.
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King Charles even extended early birthday wishes to her at a grand state banquet last month during the visit of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to the UK.
In another surprising development, a live-action Hello Kitty movie was announced back in 2019.
