Searching for all the Sanrio characters? With over 450 adorable characters spanning five decades —from iconic Hello Kitty to rising star Cinnamoroll —we're diving into the kawaii universe that has captivated collectors and fans worldwide.
This Japanese company has created beloved characters ranging from animal characters to unique, personality-driven figures.
Most Popular Sanrio Characters
Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty debuted in 1974 and remains one of the most recognizable characters globally. This little girl with feline features (yes, she's technically not a cat) wears her signature red bow on her left ear. Kitty wears this iconic accessory that has become synonymous with the character.
Born in London, Hello Kitty stands as tall as five apples and weighs as much as three apples. She enjoys baking cookies, playing piano, and spending time with her twin sister, Mimmy, and her childhood boyfriend, Dear Daniel. Her iconic design includes no visible mouth, allowing fans to project their own emotions onto her character. Those looking for Hello Kitty Island Adventure on Nintendo Switch and Steam can now enjoy this immersive gaming experience featuring Kitty and friends.
Hello Kitty dominated the annual Sanrio Character Ranking for 12 consecutive years from 1998 to 2009, winning first place a total of 15 times. Bring home this beloved character with the Sanrio Hello Kitty and Friends Funko POP | Hello Kitty.
Cinnamoroll
Cinnamoroll, the chubby white puppy with long ears that enable him to fly, has become a modern phenomenon. Created in 2002, this timid pup with blue eyes, pink cheeks, and a curly tail resembling a cinnamon roll took 15 years to reach the top of the character rankings.
Born on March 6, high in the clouds, Cinnamoroll was discovered by cafe owner Anna. He now lives at her cafe alongside his friends Mocha, Milk, Chiffon, Cappuccino, and Espresso.
Cinnamoroll's popularity exploded in recent years, topping the Sanrio Character Ranking for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024 with over 5.6 million votes in 2024. However, in 2025, Pompompurin reclaimed the top spot. Add his sweetness to your collection with the Sanrio Hello Kitty & Friends 6-Inch Dumplings Plush Cinnamoroll.
Pompompurin
Pompompurin is a cheerful Golden Retriever who made his debut in 1996. Born on April 16, this lovable pup wears his iconic brown beret and lives in a basket at the entrance hall of his sister's owner's house.
Known for his laid-back personality and love of pudding (his name comes from the Japanese word "purin," meaning pudding), Pompompurin achieved remarkable success throughout his history. He won the character ranking in 1997, 2015, 2016, and most recently in 2025, marking the first time dog characters swept the top 3 positions with Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Pochacco.
Snag this adorable pup with the Sanrio Hello Kitty & Friends 6-inch Dumplings Plush Pompompurin.
My Melody
My Melody, introduced in 1975 as a kawaii interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood, wears her signature pink hood that covers her ears. This kind, honest, and sweet girl rabbit character lives in the magical forest of Mariland with her best friend, Flat, a mouse.
My Melody ranked as Sanrio's second-most-profitable character and topped the character rankings in 2010, 2011, and 2014. She became the first character to win for two consecutive years.
Celebrating her 50th anniversary in 2025, My Melody received a Netflix stop-motion anime series titled "My Melody & Kuromi" that premiered worldwide. Bring home this classic character with the Hello Kitty Easter Squishmallow 8-Inch Plush | My Melody.
Kuromi
Kuromi first appeared in 2005 in the anime "Onegai My Melody" as My Melody's rival. This white rabbit wears a black jester's hat with a pink skull that changes expressions to match her mood, along with a black "devil" tail.
Despite her rebellious punk aesthetic, Kuromi has become incredibly popular with fans who appreciate her edgy personality. She leads a biker gang called "Kuromi's 5," and her sidekick is Baku, a purple tapir who can fly and seeks out dreams.
In the 2024 rankings, Kuromi finished in third place with over 4.1 million votes, demonstrating her massive fanbase. Born on Halloween (October 31), her boyfriend is Keiichi Hiiragi, a coldhearted violinist she fell for after fleeing Mariland.
Keroppi
Keroppi is a bright-eyed green frog with a V-shaped mouth who lives at Donut Pond. Introduced in 1988, this optimistic character excels at swimming, baseball, and various outdoor activities.
Keroppi comes from a large, happy frog family, and his best friend is a trusty snail who always tags along, even if he moves considerably slower. Despite being one of the tiniest Sanrio characters, Keroppi has an outsized personality, full of energy and enthusiasm.
He achieved first place in the character ranking in 1990, just two years after his debut. Brighten your day with the Sanrio Hello Kitty & Friends 6 Inch Dumplings Plush | Keroppi.
Pochacco
Pochacco is a white dog with black floppy ears and no visible mouth. Introduced in 1989, this sporty and energetic pup loves athletic activities and long walks.
Originally called "The Yorimichi Dog," Pochacco was created after Sanrio lost the rights to Peanuts and was modeled after Snoopy. He speaks both Penguinese and English.
After years of moderate popularity, Pochacco experienced a remarkable revival, finishing second in the 2024 ranking with over 4.5 million votes. His girlfriend is Pochamii, a girly dog character with black ears and a fluffy white tail who often wears a pink bow.
Badtz-Maru
Badtz-Maru is a punk penguin with attitude who debuted in 1993. This mischievous character from Oahu, Hawaii, harbors ambitions to be the boss of everything. His signature tongue-out pose and rebellious personality set him apart from sweeter Sanrio characters.
Badtz-Maru's best friend is Hana-Maru, a seal who serves as his complete opposite with a consistently friendly demeanor. His younger sister, Tsunko, attends a prestigious boarding school but shares her brother's cheeky personality. His alligator sidekick, Pochi, completes his crew.
He achieved first place in the character ranking in 1996, proving that audiences appreciate characters with edge and attitude within the kawaii framework.
Gudetama
Gudetama is the lazy egg yolk whose perpetual tiredness and lack of motivation have made him the unofficial mascot of exhausted souls worldwide. In the Netflix series, Gudetama hatches from a blue egg laid by Hana the hen.
This food-based character's laid-back attitude—more accurately, profound apathy—resonates strongly with fans experiencing modern burnout. Gudetama's unfiltered existential exhaustion distinguishes him from most cheerful Sanrio characters.
The character has appeared in various media, including playing Minecraft, Fall Guys, and other games on his YouTube channel, demonstrating his cross-platform appeal.
Aggretsuko
Aggretsuko is a 25-year-old red panda who works in the accounting department at her company. Frustrated by how her coworkers treat her, she channels her rage by singing death metal karaoke at night.
This character explores themes of workplace stress and modern life challenges in a relatable way. The anime series showcasing her dual personality—polite office worker by day, death-metal enthusiast by night—has gained a dedicated worldwide following.
Shop The Sanrio Collection Now
Complete List of Sanrio Characters
Little Twin Stars
Kiki and Lala are twin siblings born on December 24. The Little Twin Stars consist of Kiki, the younger brother, who has blue hair (sometimes brown) and loves star-fishing and inventing things, though his curiosity sometimes leads to mischievous behavior. Lala, the older sister, has pink hair (sometimes blonde) and enjoys drawing, writing poems, and cooking, though she can be shy. Both wear white long-sleeved gowns and go barefoot, creating a celestial aesthetic. Twin Stars like these represent one of Sanrio's most magical character pairs.
Chococat
Chococat is a playful black cat with large eyes, four whiskers, and a chocolate-colored nose. Similar to Hello Kitty, Chococat has no visible mouth. His whiskers act like antennae, helping him gather information, so he's often the first to know about new developments.
Tuxedo Sam
Tuxedo Sam is a clumsy penguin who loves to eat and has a great fashion sense with 365 bow ties—one for every day of the year. He speaks both Penguinese and English, served in the navy, and was honorably discharged as a captain.
Charmmy Kitty
Charmmy Kitty is a Persian cat who serves as Hello Kitty's pet cat. This fluffy white feline has a pink lace bow below her left ear, a necklace with a silver key, and a distinctive round yellow nose. As Kitty's pet cat, Charmmy Kitty brings additional charm to the Hello Kitty universe.
Dear Daniel
Dear Daniel is a charming lion who loves music. He serves as Hello Kitty's childhood friend and boyfriend. Born on May 3, he's a Taurus with a gentle, artistic personality.
Pekkle
Pekkle is a cheerful yellow duck with a blue hat. This gentle, kind character loves to dance, especially tap dancing, bringing joy wherever he goes.
Shop The Sanrio Collection Now
Monkichi
Monkichi is a playful monkey who loves bananas and enjoys a carefree life. Released during the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac, this character embodies fun-loving energy. These animals from Japan showcase traditional cultural elements.
Corocorokuririn
Corocorokuririn is a cheerful hamster with 77 hamster friends, plus his mystery hamster friend Cosmo and tortoise friend Riku. Curious, sometimes shy, but also adventurous, he loves collecting household items to build playhouses and can fit into small spaces.
The Vaudeville Duo
The Vaudeville Duo consists of Eddy and Emmy, who were born on the same day in the same hospital. This coincidence sparked a lifelong friendship between these two characters.
Hangyodoni
Hangyodon is a quirky fish character with a cheerful attitude and endearing personality. The Sanrio 7.75-inch Character Plush | Hangyodoni makes an irresistibly charming addition to any collection.
Shinkansen
Shinkansen is a group of 14 bullet train characters who are always energetic. They travel at very fast speeds, often racing each other and visiting different places throughout Japan.
Show By Rock!!
Show By Rock!! Debuted as a rhythm video game for iOS and Android, created by Geechs in partnership with Sanrio. The franchise expanded into an anime series in Japan along with several sub-series.
Sugarbunnies
Sugarbunnies features Kurousa and Shirousa, a Sanrio duo that makes pastries. They live in Bunniesfield, Bunnyland, where they create delicious treats for their community.
Spottie Dottie
Spottie Dottie is a female dog who wears a bow headband and loves sweets. She works as a fashion designer in New York City alongside her best friend, Sassy.
Pochacco
Pochacco won first place for five consecutive years from 1991 to 1995, establishing one of the longest winning streaks in Sanrio Character Ranking history. His recent popularity resurgence in 2024 and continued strong performance in 2025 prove that classic characters can reconnect with fans decades later.
Zashikibuta
Zashikibuta is a cute pig character known for his sweet design. He won first place in the very first Sanrio Character Popularity Poll in 1986, though he hasn't repeated this achievement since.
Patapatapeppy
PataPataPeppy is a curious little owl who loves to explore, though he can be a bit panicky. His favorite things include cherries, nuts, and naps.
Dokidoki Yummychums
Dokidoki Yummychums are food-themed characters with big personalities. They appeared in Hello Kitty Music Party for mobile phones, bringing their energetic charm to the gaming world.
Marron Cream
Marroncream is a girl rabbit character who brightens everyone's day with her cheerful personality and positive outlook on life.
Usahana
Usahana is a bunny with a love for flowers and a kind nature. The designer who created Usahana also designed the Sugarbunnies and worked on Marroncream's character development.
Tenorikuma
Tenorikuma is a group of red panda characters who run "Tenorikuma Cafe," famous in their town for serving excellent coffee that keeps customers coming back.
Hummingmint
Hummingmint was born on March 10 during a beautiful mint-green night. She lives harmoniously with her friends—the birds and flowers of her enchanted forest home.
Landry
Landry is a boy raccoon character released in 1999. He lives in a wash basin and enthusiastically washes everything he can find.
Pandapple
Pandapple is an energetic panda who loves apples. Originally from Shanghai, he now lives in an apple orchard in Southern California, dreaming of growing the world's largest apple to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Deery Lou
Deery-Lou (or Lou) is a brown (sometimes pink) fawn whose tail wags when he's having fun. Born on January 8, he lives in Rainbow Forest, filled with colorful rainbows, cute flower gardens, and large trees.
Masyumaro
Masyumaro is a young cat character whose name means "fluffy little cat like a marshmallow," perfectly describing his soft, cuddly appearance.
Chi Chai Monchan
Chi Chai Monchan is a tiny monkey with a charming purple tail that curls in circles. He loves bananas and cherries, making him an adorable fruit-loving character.
Bonbonribbon
Bonbonribbon, born on August 8, is a pink girl rabbit who debuted in 2012. She wears bows on her head and other parts of her body. This fashionable character enjoys singing and dancing.
Jewel Cat
Jewel Cat is a character series released in 2006 featuring a magical cat who wears jewelry and grants powers to those fortunate enough to see her.
Wish Me Mell
Wish Me Mell is a dreamy character who loves wishes. Mell collaborated with Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto for the "Journey of Cheer" event, marking the first Sanrio partnership with a university.
Nyago
Nemukko Nyago, born on May 25, is a sweet male tabby cat. He loves sleeping and treasures his super soft, cloud-like cushion. He's easygoing and doesn't worry about the little things in life.
Berry Puppy
Berry Puppy is a series that ran from 2009 to August 2010. The main characters are Puppy, a fluffy dog who loves strawberries and wears a strawberry stem hat, and Jam, their mischievous little friend.
Lloromannic
Lloromannic is a mischievous demon duo consisting of Berry and Cherry, who serve as rivals to Cinnamoroll. The name Lloromannic is Cinnamoroll spelled backwards, creating a clever mirror relationship between hero and antagonist.
Picke Bicke
PICKE BICKE is a laid-back mouse who is carefree and a bit forgetful. He can fly by flapping his ears or using his tail and enjoys relaxing on a hill.
Minna No Tabo
Minna no Tabo is a friendly, cheerful human boy who puts in his best effort, even when he doesn't always succeed. He became the first character to win first place in the Sanrio Character Ranking for 2 consecutive years (1988 and 1989).
Mimmy
Mimmy, wearing a yellow bow on her right ear, is Hello Kitty's younger identical twin and constant playmate. They're extremely close, so Mimmy is rarely seen apart from her sister. She loves to sew and create handmade items.
Shop The Sanrio Collection Now
Sanrio Character Rankings and Popularity
The Sanrio Character Ranking, established in 1986, provides nearly 4 decades of data about audience preferences. The 2025 contest saw a record 63 million votes cast for 90 characters, demonstrating sustained engagement with the franchise. These favorite characters continue to evolve with each passing year.
Top Character Ranking Winners:
-
Hello Kitty: 15 total wins, including 12 consecutive years (1998-2009)
-
Cinnamoroll: 7 total wins, including 5 consecutive years (2020-2024)
-
Pochacco: 5 consecutive wins (1991-1995)
-
Pompompurin: 4 total wins (1997, 2015, 2016, 2025)
-
My Melody: 3 total wins (2010, 2011, 2014)
The 2025 results marked a historic moment with dog characters sweeping the top 3 positions for the first time: Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Pochacco.
Character popularity shifts based on multiple factors, including media presence, merchandise availability, nostalgic appeal, and alignment with contemporary cultural trends. Characters can experience renewed popularity decades after introduction, as demonstrated by Pochacco's recent resurgence and Cinnamoroll's delayed breakthrough 15 years after debut.
Lesser-Known Sanrio Characters
Coro Chan
Coro Chan holds the distinction of being the first original Sanrio character, introduced in 1973. Designed by Yuko Shimizu (who also created Hello Kitty), this pioneering character established important precedents for cute character merchandising as a viable business model.
Cogimyun
Cogimyun is a wheat-flour fairy who celebrates her birthday on May 7, known as Powder Day. Sensitive and fragile, her personality traits align with the delicate physical nature of wheat flour.
Kirimichan
Kirimichan, depicted as a slice of salmon, demonstrates Sanrio's creativity in transforming mundane food items into adorable anthropomorphized characters through simple facial features and distinct personalities.
Hagurumanstyle
Hagurumanstyle, whose name translates to "tooth-picking teeth," consists of multiple tooth characters. Okuba is an unsung hero in the mouth who works hard but sometimes doesn't realize his importance. Ohaguro has an old-fashioned personality and only appears when eating black sesame treats or dark dishes, such as squid-ink meals.
FAQs
How many Sanrio characters are there?
As of 2025, there are over 450 Sanrio characters. Created by the Japanese company Sanrio, this extensive roster includes popular characters from various series and collaborations, including Jewelpet, a group created in 2008 as a joint venture between Sega Toys and Sanrio.
Who is Kuromi's boyfriend?
Kuromi's boyfriend is Keiichi Hiiragi, a coldhearted bishonen violinist. After fleeing from Mariland, she meets and falls madly in love with Keiichi.
Who is the cutest in Sanrio?
The cutest Sanrio character depends on personal preference. My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Hangyodon all have dedicated fanbases. With over 450 adorable characters to choose from, there's a perfect match for everyone's taste.
Is Kuromi a cat?
No, Kuromi is not a cat. While she resembles a cat, she is actually a white rabbit wearing a distinctive black jester's hat.
Who is Kuromi's sister?
Kuromi's sister is Romina. As Kuromi's older sister, Romina is slightly taller than Kuromi and has less pointed ears.
Who is Pochacco's girlfriend?
Pochacco's girlfriend is Pochamii, a girly dog character with black ears, two eyelashes, and a fluffy white tail. She often wears a pink bow and dress.
Who is the oldest Sanrio character?
The oldest character is Coro Chan, the first original Sanrio character introduced in 1973. He was designed by Yuko Shimizu, who also created Hello Kitty the following year in 1974.
What character won the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking?
Pompompurin won the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking, marking his fourth victory and the first time dog characters swept the top 3 positions.
Final Thoughts
Sanrio's iconic characters have captivated fans worldwide for over 5 decades. From Hello Kitty's global dominance to Cinnamoroll's modern phenomenon status, from My Melody's enduring charm to Kuromi's rebellious appeal, all the different characters represent far more than cute designs—they embody friendship, personality, and cultural connection.
Whether you're a longtime collector or discovering these characters for the first time, Toynk offers an extensive collection of authentic Sanrio merchandise. From plushies and Funko POPs to home goods and apparel, we've curated fan-favorite items that celebrate your love for these timeless characters.
Ready to bring home your favorite Sanrio characters? Check out Toynk's Sanrio collection and show your fandom pride today.
Shop The Sanrio Collection Now
References:
- https://show-by-rock.fandom.com/wiki/Show_By_Rock!!
- https://sanrio.fandom.com/wiki/Pochacco
- https://hellokitty.fandom.com/wiki/Tenorikuma
- https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/sanrio-company-ltd
