
Hello Kitty’s home company is running its yearly poll to decide which out-of-company character will get their own event at the Puroland theme park.
Who’s your favorite Sanrio character? Hello Kitty herself is a safe bet: she has a timeless design that’s easy to plaster on everything from toys to trains. Maybe you’re a Gudetama type, because who wouldn’t climb out of bed to save his mom’s life? Personally, I like both pudding AND dogs, so Pom Pom Purin is the winner for me.
One of the big pulls of Sanrio in recent years is their canny eye for collaboration opportunities. Remember the super-cute My Melody café, where she teamed up with Sailor Moon and pals? ? How about the time they drew the Fullmetal Alchemist cast in their signature style? Kitty even donned Wonder Woman’s tiara not too long ago.
Yes, Sanrio is the king (queen?) of collabs – but who do the fans want them to team up with next? Sanrio is asking the fans directly in their latest character poll, starting from May 10th and running until June 11th. The candidates feature all your faves from Sanrio and a host of cameo candidates, from the super-popular to the charmingly niche.
Let’s look at our contenders, shall we?
▼ Left to right: How to Keep a Mummy, Panpaka Pants, Koeda-chan, Suzy’s Zoo
Pom Pom Purin learns How to keep a Mummy (a cute critter manga turned anime), but maybe you’d rather he hang out with pantied pig mascot Panpaka Pants. Little Twin Stars Kiki and Lala are paired with Takara Tomy doll Koeda-chan, while My Melody favors American import Suzy’s Zoo.
▼ Battle Cats, Splatoon 2, Aoi Shouta, The Seven Deadly Sins
Nyanko from mobile game Battle Cats wields a Gudetama in their collab, though Meliodas from hit manga/anime The Seven Deadly Sins just ended up with egg on his face. Kitty appears in her stylish Splatoon 2 studs with her lady inkling pal, or The Little Twin Stars can join forces with anime voice actor Aoi Shouta.
▼ Bam&Boo, Namba Wan, Gokuuma-kun, Ecomado-kun
Pom Pom Purin has a potential playdate with Bam and Boo from Foods Market Satake. Kitty could also form cliques with the Namba Walk underground mall’s dog mascot Namba Wan, Nikkan Sports Newspaper’s horse boy mascot Gokuuma-kun, or most bafflingly the eco-friendly window mascot from Nichibei, Ecomado-kun.
▼ Catty-chan, Peko-chan, Maru the Shiba Inu, Shuri-kun
Kitty just keeps up the cameos: Catty-chan, a mascot from pet retailer Doggyman; Milky mascot Peko-chan, who always has her tongue poking out; and Shuri-kun, the handyman dalmatian from e-smile. Pom Pom Purin courts another famous puppy for friendship: internet star Maru.
▼ Pixy-kun, Kakuo and Joe O’ Silk, Koguma, Kumashacho
Rion’s kid-targeted mascot Pixy-kun really lucks out by scoring both Kitty and Purin in his collaboration! Pom Pom Purin has royal mascot buddies Kokuo and Joe O’ Silk from the Kokumin drug store. Kitty shows off her dancing with Bunmeido Castella’s Koguma troupe, or if you’d rather she just stick to one bear there’s Kumagai Gumi’s Kumashacho.
▼ Misakigyu, Bunbun, Kitappy, Kawasaki Norfin, Milhee
If you’re a Kobe beef otaku, you can vote for Kitty’s alliance with Miyasakigyu. Fans of bees (and newspapers?) can opt for Oita Godo Shimbun’s Bunbun. I like to think all of Kyushu will vote for her combo with Fukuoka’s funny little bus mascot, Kitappy… But maybe the people of Kawasaki will win out by voting their own bus mascot, Kawasaki Norfin. Sadly, I don’t think the people of Nasushiobara City have much of a chance at winning, even if their cow mascot Milhee is cute as a creampuff.
Okay, but now that you’ve seen the competition…It’s gotta be Splatoon 2, right?!
『スプラトゥーン2』とハローキティがコラボ!! “サンリオキャラクター大賞コラボ部門”、2018年5月10日より投票スタート! https://t.co/6z9nphKtTk pic.twitter.com/lWDR6E5TO3
— ファミ通.com (@famitsu) May 6, 2018
The winner of the collaboration contest gets to be celebrated in Sanrio’s own cute Tokyo character theme park, Puroland. When they’re not running zombie specials or reading gay erotica, Puroland is dedicated to providing the bubbliest character-packed experience in Japan. Whoever wins the poll will get that sparkly special treatment in their very own event!
▼ Just imagine how fun this aesthetic would be in an actual theme park.
I for one definitely want to see Puroland splattered in neon paint and blasting the latest in unintelligible ocean jams. If you’re a contrarian and would rather ensure Kitappy’s Puroland Bus Extravaganza, make sure to check the site when it goes live on May 10 and vote, vote, vote!
Oh, and while you’re waiting, you can always vote in the regular old character popularity poll here.







Time to vote for your favourite in Japan’s Sanrio Character Curry Election
There’s still time to vote for your favorite Sanrio mascot character of 2021!
DJ Hello Kitty drops the beat and F-bombs at all-night Sanrio Puroland Halloween event【Video】
Two human beings set to marry Sanrio characters at Tokyo’s Hello Kitty theme park
Sanrio amusement park opening first new attraction in six years: an ultra-cute meet-and-greet house
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
Udon pudding is about to shake up the noodle scene in Japan
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Sanrio Puroland offers a touching, tear-provoking video message during its closure【Video】
Sanrio 2015 mid-election polls show Hello Kitty losing to visual kei band by wide margin
Sanrio characters assemble at Tama-Center Station, one of them is too lazy to walk by himself
Hello Kitty and her Sanrio pals are collaborating with a notoriously bloody horror anime series
Hello Kitty says hello to Godzilla in new kaiju/Sanrio crossover collaboration
Hello Kitty celebrates her 45th anniversary at Sanrio Expo 2019 with cute plush and goods
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Sanrio creates characters to promote characters to promote merchandise with new Sanrio Boys group
Website lets you make yourself into a Sanrio character for a virtual parade with Hello Kitty!
Hello Kitty doesn’t have a mouth, so how does she video chat with fans? We find out!
Hello Kitty fans have a special reason to go to Sanrio amusement parks December 4 – They’re free!
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Sanrio Character Ranking results: Cinnamaroll’s five-year streak broken, poll still goes to dogs
Adorable Sanrio hats come with moving ears that will keep you comfy, cozy, cute
We all float down here, Kitty… Sanrio’s It movie collab is more cute than creepy
Who killed Hello Kitty…?! Sanrio’s Puroland wreaks gory havoc with zombies, ghoulish cuisine