Sanrio’s lesser-known fishy familiar makes a long-awaited return to the top of the rankings.
character ranking
Don’t be afraid to take in the eye candy with these characters who originally graced the pages of Japan’s best-selling weekly shonen manga magazine.
Okay, we have a question for you. How many of you personally know someone who’s fallen under the spell of Sanrio? We’re guessing, quite a lot. The sheer number of characters the company has come up with during its 54-year history is truly amazing, not to mention the immense appeal and popularity some of these characters enjoy across the world. Even if you’re not a passionate fan, if you have even a remote fondness for anything kawaii, then you’re bound to have a favorite Sanrio character, which is why Sanrio has a popularity poll for its characters each year, called the Sanrio Character Ranking.
Now, considering that most people probably think of Hello Kitty as the undisputed queen of Sanrio, you may expect the international feline celebrity to have an iron-clad hold on the top place in the rankings, but apparently, that hasn’t always been the case. This year in particular, the preliminary results from the first stage of the polls seem to be surprising Sanrio fans, specifically with regards to the votes Hello Kitty has managed, or not managed for that matter, to earn. Could it be that there’s something amiss with Hello Kitty’s reign over the kingdom of Sanrio?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Marshmallow girls want to cosplay too! Plus-size costumes to be released next fall
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Weekly
- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
- Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Yearly
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Marshmallow girls want to cosplay too! Plus-size costumes to be released next fall
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Japan’s top five retro hot springs for a time trip back to the onsen past, as chosen by travelers
You can now get Poké Ball-shape diamonds for your rings in Japan【Photos】
Starbucks Japan adds exclusive limited-edition Frappuccino drinks to the menu for spring
Time-slipping travel at a roadside retro spot in northern east Japan【Kita Kanto Brothers】
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
The poop ice cream to end all poop ice creams
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Nara unveils new vending machines that sell deer crackers
-
