Chapter 1
The birth of a cute empire
Chapter 2
The anatomy of kawaii design
Chapter 3
Meet the quirky Sanrio family
Chapter 4
A global phenomenon and business empire
YOUR GOAL
Master of The world of Sanrio
Ch 1 · The birth of a cute empire
yuki Despite being created in Japan, Hello Kitty was given a British identity because British culture was highly fashionable in 1970s Tokyo.
yuki See the original debut image of Hello Kitty, Sanrio's global icon, and explore the historic first look at this beloved character.
BETA
yuki Match Sanrio characters with their debut years to discover the history of kawaii culture.
Fun Fact
First product: Hello Kitty first appeared on a vinyl coin purse in Japan in 1974, costing just 240 yen.
Glossary
kawaii (noun)
A Japanese artistic and cultural style that emphasizes qualities of cuteness, playfulness, and childlike innocence. Shintaro Tsuji capitalized on this aesthetic by founding Sanrio in 1960 to sell cute character merchandise.
A Japanese artistic and cultural style that emphasizes qualities of cuteness, playfulness, and childlike innocence. Shintaro Tsuji capitalized on this aesthetic by founding Sanrio in 1960 to sell cute character merchandise.
Quiz
What is the name of Hello Kitty's twin sister, who wears a yellow bow on her right ear?
Quiz
In which country is Hello Kitty's fictional home located according to her official backstory?