The enchanting world of Sanrio has captivated millions of fans worldwide, with 63 million votes cast in the latest character ranking. Whether you're a longtime collector or new to kawaii culture, discover which beloved Sanrio characters are capturing hearts right now.
In this blog post, we'll discover the most popular Sanrio characters. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the charm of Sanrio, let's uncover the stories, quirks, and magical appeal of these iconic figures.
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Top 10 Most Popular Sanrio Characters for 2025
1. Pompompurin
Number of votes: 5,613,659
Rank: 1st place (moved up from 4th place)
Description: In a stunning upset, Pompompurin claimed the championship position, breaking Cinnamoroll's five-year winning streak. This lovable golden retriever is known for his signature brown beret and laid-back personality.
Born on April 16, Pompompurin lives in his owner's basket and loves collecting shoes (especially hiding just one from a pair). His hobbies include napping, performing the Pudding Dance, and making friends with everyone. True to his name, his favorite food is his mother's homemade pudding.
Pompompurin's relaxed personality resonates with fans seeking comfort and simple pleasures in life. His talent for making friends and laid-back demeanor make him the perfect companion for those embracing self-care and work-life balance.
2. Cinnamoroll
Number of votes: 5,427,983
Rank: 2nd place (down from 1st place)
Description: Cinnamoroll remains a fan favorite despite losing his championship title. This adorable white puppy from beyond the clouds uses his huge ears to fly and works as the official mascot for Café Cinnamon.
Created in 2002, Cinnamoroll took 15 years to reach the top of the rankings and has now won seven times overall. His gentle, grateful personality perfectly embodies the theme of mutual love and thanks. Living high up on a cloud, he loves napping on customers' laps and dropping in for adventures with his friends.
Cinnamoroll's emphasis on gratitude and friendship has earned him international appeal, with top rankings in 11 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Italy, Germany, France, and Australia. His connection to cinnamon rolls adds charm to his character design.
3. Pochacco
Number of votes: 3,935,101
Rank: 3rd place (down from second place)
Description: Pochacco, the sporty white dog with black floppy ears, secured third place in the 2025 rankings. Created in 1989, Pochacco ranked first in the Sanrio Character Ranking for five consecutive years from 1991 to 1995.
This curious pup loves long walks, especially taking the long way round. He's a great basketball player and capable soccer goalie, embodying an active, adventurous spirit. His favorite treat is banana ice cream.
Pochacco's remarkable comeback after decades demonstrates the power of nostalgia, as adult fans renew their childhood connections and introduce this character to new generations.
4. Kuromi
Number of votes: 3,652,492
Rank: 4th Place (moved up from 3rd place)
Description: Kuromi, the mischievous character dressed in a pink hood with a skull charm, secured fourth place. Born on October 31, this edgy character loves punk rock and has a surprisingly soft side.
Despite her tough exterior, Kuromi enjoys adorable things, romance novels, and writing in her journal. Her favorite color is black, and she has an unusual preference for pickled shallots. Her sidekick Baku carries her through the sky, demonstrating lasting friendship beneath her playful pranks.
Kuromi's gothic aesthetic appeals to fans seeking alternatives to overtly cute characters, expanding Sanrio's reach to audiences who might not otherwise engage with kawaii culture.
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5. Hello Kitty
Number of votes: 3,349,642
Rank: 5th place (same as last year)
Description: Hello Kitty remains a global icon and the most recognizable face in Sanrio's portfolio, despite placing fifth in the rankings. With a brand value exceeding one trillion yen (approximately 6.5 billion dollars), this character represents kindness, friendship, and generosity.
Created in 1974, Kitty White lives in London with her parents and twin sister Mimmy. She loves baking cookies, playing the piano, and collecting cute things. Her signature look includes a red bow and notably no visible mouth, a deliberate design choice that allows fans to project their own emotions onto her.
Hello Kitty has won the overall ranking 15 times throughout the competition's history, more than any other character, with her last victory in 2019. She continues to serve as a cultural ambassador, representing kawaii culture worldwide.
6. My Melody
Number of Votes: 2,547,302
Rank: 6th place (same as last year)
Description: My Melody is a gentle rabbit known for her iconic pink hood, which her grandmother made for her. Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, this character treasures family connections and handmade gifts.
Born on January 18, My Melody loves baking cookies with her mama, and almond pound cake is her favorite food. She's bright, honest, and loves her little brother Rhythm. Her close friends include Flat (a small blue mouse), My Sweet Piano, and even Kuromi, despite their often contentious relationship.
My Melody has won the championship three times (2010, 2011, and 2014), demonstrating consistent popularity among fans who appreciate gentle, nurturing characters.
7. Little Twin Stars
Number of Votes: 2,282,015
Rank: 7th place (moved up from 10th place)
Description: The celestial duo Kiki and Lala, known as Little Twin Stars, jumped three positions to seventh place. Born on December 24 on the magical Omoiyari Star, these siblings traveled to Earth to learn how to be the shiniest stars they can be.
Lala, the older twin sister, loves drawing, writing poems, and cooking. She has a more timid personality and often draws inspiration from the world around her. Her brother Kiki is filled with curiosity about everything, making him a bit cheeky. He's passionate about star-fishing and inventing new things.
Their dreamy, ethereal aesthetic with pastel hues and celestial themes appeals to fans drawn to fantasy and cosmic wonder, distinguishing them from more domestically themed characters.
8. Hangyodon
Number of Votes: 2,243,702
Rank: 8th place (moved down from 7th place)
Description: Hangyodon, created in 1985, is a blue fish-like character known for his grumpy expression and shark-like features. This character dreams of being a hero but often finds himself in humorous and unlikely situations instead.
Despite his frown, Hangyodon is actually quite shy and has a soft spot for cute things and dogs. His unique personality appeals to fans who appreciate characters with more complex, layered emotions beyond pure cheerfulness.
9. Tuxedosam
Number of Votes: 2,082,914
Rank: 9th place (same as last year)
Description: Tuxedosam, the charming penguin character, continues to capture hearts with his dapper tuxedo appearance. Despite his formal look, Tuxedosam is quite laid-back and enjoys simpler pleasures like eating and making friends.
His consistent 9th-place finish demonstrates steady popularity among fans who appreciate his contrast between sophisticated appearance and relaxed personality.
10. Ahirunopekkle
Number of Votes: 2,032,405
Rank: 10th place (moved up from 11th place)
Description: Ahirunopekkle makes an appearance in the top 10, moving up one position from last year. This duck character with a playful personality continues to build a dedicated fanbase.
Other Sanrio Characters Beyond the Top 10
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Kerokerokeroppi - 2,228,001 votes (jumped from 12th to 11th place)
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Cogimyun - 1,689,085 votes
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Bad Badtz-Maru - 1,633,492 votes
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Hanamaruobake - 1,351,001 votes
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Wish Me Mell - 1,128,708 votes
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Gudetama - 1,116,298 votes
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My Sweet Piano - 837,632 votes
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Kirimichan - 750,010 votes
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Corocorokuririn - 735,312 votes
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U Sa Ha Na - 649,859 votes
Understanding the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking
The 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking drew an unprecedented 63 million votes from fans worldwide between April 15 and May 25. The results, announced on June 29, revealed significant shifts in character popularity, demonstrating the dynamic nature of fan preferences.
Key Trends from 2025:
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Dog characters dominated the top three positions (Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Pochacco)
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Cyclical popularity continues, with characters experiencing revivals decades after their debut
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International voting showed regional variations, with different countries favoring different characters
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Narrow margins at the top (fewer than 200,000 votes separated first and second place) demonstrate competitive fan engagement
The ranking system, which began in 1986 in the Ichigo Shinbun magazine published in Japan, has evolved into a global phenomenon that creates sustained engagement across social media platforms and fan communities. Interim results announced midway through voting allow fans to mobilize support for their favorite character, transforming the ranking into a multi-week cultural event.
What Makes Popular Sanrio Characters So Timeless?
Emotional Design Philosophy
Sanrio's character design emphasizes emotional projection through strategic simplicity. Many characters, including Hello Kitty, lack visible mouths, allowing fans to project their own feelings onto the characters. This design choice creates deeper personal connections than fixed expressions can, offering a unique bond between character and fan.
Multi-Generational Appeal
Characters like Pochacco demonstrate remarkable staying power, with adults who loved these characters in childhood now introducing them to new generations. This multi-generational transmission creates self-reinforcing cycles of engagement and loyalty through heartwarming stories shared across families.
Cultural Flexibility
The minimalist designs allow endless reinterpretation across cultural contexts and applications without losing core recognizability. Hello Kitty can wear traditional clothing from any culture or be placed in any scenario while remaining instantly identifiable.
Accessible Entry Points
Sanrio merchandise spans wide price ranges and product categories, making participation in kawaii culture accessible across socioeconomic boundaries. From affordable stationery to luxury collaborations, fans at any budget level can express their love for these characters.
Regional Character Preferences Around the Globe
The 2025 ranking revealed fascinating international variations in character preference:
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United States: Cinnamoroll remained the favorite
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United Kingdom: Pompompurin topped the rankings (predicting his global win)
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South Korea: Pochacco continues strong popularity
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Thailand: Regional favorite Minna no Tabo holds appeal
These regional differences reflect cultural factors, marketing emphasis, and historical patterns of character introduction in different markets. The massive global vote total demonstrates Sanrio's success in cultivating engaged international fan communities across diverse cultural contexts.
FAQs
Who is the original Sanrio character?
Coro Chan, featuring a gentle bear, was Sanrio's first character, introduced in 1973. While not as widely known as Hello Kitty, this character holds a special place in Sanrio's history as the company's original creation.
Who is the most underrated Sanrio character?
Many fans consider characters ranking outside the top 10 to be underappreciated gems. Characters like Hangyodon, with his unique grumpy-yet-sweet personality, or Sweet Piano, with her distinctive aesthetic, have dedicated followings despite lower rankings.
Who is more popular, My Melody or Kuromi?
Based on the 2025 rankings, My Melody placed 6th with 2,547,302 votes, compared to Kuromi's 4th place with 3,652,492 votes. Actually, Kuromi proved more popular in terms of vote count and ranking position. Both characters maintain dedicated fanbases, with Kuromi's edgy charm attracting different audiences than My Melody's gentle sweetness.
How often does Sanrio update character rankings?
Sanrio conducts an official character ranking annually, with voting typically taking place in spring and results announced in late June. The ranking has been held consistently since 1986, providing nearly four decades of popularity data.
Which Sanrio character has won the most times?
Hello Kitty holds the record with 15 overall victories throughout the ranking's history. However, her last win came in 2019. Cinnamoroll has won seven times, all within the past eight years, demonstrating concentrated recent popularity.
Celebrating Classic Favorites and New Characters
The 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking celebrates not just the top characters but a universe brimming with cuteness, friendship, and emotional connection. From Pompompurin's surprising victory to Cinnamoroll's gracious second-place finish, each character offers fans unique stories and messages where cuteness reigns supreme.
Whether you're drawn to Kuromi's playful mischief, Hello Kitty's timeless appeal, or Pochacco's athletic energy, Sanrio's diverse character portfolio ensures there's a perfect match for every fan. With over 63 million votes cast globally, the ranking proves that these beloved characters continue to capture hearts across generations and cultures. Each brings their own quirks and spirit to this enchanting world, creating meaningful friendships and adventures through their merchandise and heartwarming stories.
For more themed accessories, designer items, and merchandise featuring these iconic characters, check out Toynk's Sanrio collectibles. From Hello Kitty essentials to Pompompurin plushies and more, you have countless options to express your fandom. Start your collection today and join millions of fans celebrating these popular Sanrio characters.
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References:
- https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3266311/hello-kitty-50-how-sanrios-cute-cat-character-became-global-phenomenon
- https://sanrio.fandom.com/wiki/Little_Twin_Stars
- https://hellokitty.fandom.com/wiki/Coro_Chan
- https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/My_Melody
