Hello Kitty falls a little bit in love with her “YouTube senpai” Austin Mahone.
It’s been about half a year since Hello Kitty became a dedicated YouTuber. In that time, she’s already won over the hearts of some 187,600 followers with her surprising honesty and adorable antics.
Her latest uploaded video features 22-year-old American singer-songwriter Austin Mahone, and she seems to possess a schoolgirl crush on him. Mahone shot to fame from his YouTube cover videos and went on to release his own new music. His work has gained significant attention in Japan–in fact, his debut EP, Extended Play, was released only in Japan in 2013. Mahone’s 2015 single “Dirty Work” was also used as the background music in a comedy sketch by comedian Blouson Chiemi, which further increased his exposure with Japanese audiences.
▼ A video of Chiemi’s skit featuring “Dirty Work”
On February 4, Mahone was in Tokyo for the Samantha Thavasa 25th Anniversary Kickoff Play Press Conference. Hello Kitty also happened to be a special guest at the event, and she wasted no time in seeking him out to ask a few questions.
On his end, Mahone congratulates Hello Kitty on her up-and-coming channel. When she asks for some advice about successful YouTubing, he replies, “Make sure you make a video every single day so that it grows.” You can almost see her blush as she endearingly calls Mahone her “YouTube senpai” and exclaims both “kyaa!” (wow!) and “hyaa!” (eek!) in reaction to his responses. See their full exchange below:
▼ Don’t forget to turn on the English captions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj_Aa8rZMxI&t=1s
She then asks Mahone to say a few words about his new single, “Why Don’t We,” and he calls it “atsui,” which means “hot” in Japanese. He goes on to perform it while Hello Kitty remarks that the song was indeed “atsui” and she couldn’t help dancing along to it.
If that’s the kind of adorable reaction we’ll get out of Hello Kitty whenever she meets a singer that she likes, we hope to see a lot more of them featured on her channel in the future!
Source, featured image: YouTube/HELLO KITTY / ハローキティ【Sanrio Official】
[ Read in Japanese ]

Hello Kitty’s hilariously meta YouTube debut is a hit with netizens, earns likes and subscribers
Popular Japanese YouTuber is virtual schoolgirl who plays games, has existential crises【Videos】
Here’s wishing you a Happy 40th, Hello Kitty!!
Hello Kitty takes to the stage for the Sanrio musical【Photos】
Newest, final short in the Gundam vs. Hello Kitty Project has Amuro and Kitty join forces【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
Shohei Otomo brings the gritty side of Japan to vivid life with a mere ballpoint pen
A chance to experience what goes into making Japan’s Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
J-rock legend Yoshiki composing global theme song for Hello Kitty
Wait…Hello Kitty has a twin sister?!?!?
Hello Kitty-branded instant cameras, so you can shake it like a Polaroid in 2016!
Dudes get killed in the newest Hello Kitty anime【Video】
Hello Kitty is now officially over the hill, but still adorable
Hello Kitty blames herself for guys feeling embarrassed about liking her, offers apology【Video】
Newest virtual YouTuber blows her competition out of the water with high-quality intro【Video】
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
McDonald’s Korea now serving up Hello Kitty in cute Sanrio costumes
The sweet smell of virtual YouTuber success – Kizuna Ai’s new fragrance on sale now
Preserved Hello Kitty fetus helps you explain to the little ones where Hello Kitties come from
Talented YouTuber and “Disney freak” from Japan makes awesome and funny Disney videos
Hello Kitty joins Mario Maker, may possibly break Japanese-ness level-measuring equipment 【Video】
After 33 years, Hello Kitty’s voice actress, the legendary Hayashibara Megumi, is being replaced
Hello Kitty set to keep you safe while driving… as a dashboard camera!
New gift shop featuring giant Hello Kitty storefront to open in Asakusa this spring
Leave a Reply