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】
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
Tokyo’s best ramen breakfast? Restaurant two minutes from Tokyo Station is a strong contender
Elderly Japan man arrested for stealing toilet, using it in his home for three months
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
New smartphone game turns car models into anime girls with model-worthy looks
Squat toilets’ popularity fading as parents call for them to be abolished in Japanese schools
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
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
Talented YouTuber and “Disney freak” from Japan makes awesome and funny Disney videos
Preserved Hello Kitty fetus helps you explain to the little ones where Hello Kitties come from
Hello Kitty joins Mario Maker, may possibly break Japanese-ness level-measuring equipment 【Video】
Food ASMR YouTuber caught spitting cheese tonkatsu out on camera【Video】
After 33 years, Hello Kitty’s voice actress, the legendary Hayashibara Megumi, is being replaced