Hello Kitty & 9 Other Sanrio Characters We Can't Get Enough Of

For fans of all ages, Sanrio has continuously been a source of joy thanks to their adorable characters. No matter how well-known a character is, one can be sure that they are someone's favorite. For instance, while the hamster character Corocorokuririn is not one of the most famous Sanrio characters, there are plenty of fans who still adore his design.

However, when it comes to what character is the most beloved out of all the Sanrio characters worldwide, that title belongs to the famous Hello Kitty. For years, Hello Kitty has acted as the mascot of the franchise, and has even appeared alongside other characters from other franchises. Despite this, Hello Kitty is not the only super-popular Sanrio character, as several others are also extremely well-known.

My Sweet Piano Is My Melody’s Best Friend

Image via Sanrio

In the past, My Sweet Piano was known as "Hitsuji-san" in the 1980s, until she received a totally new design. Initially, Piano had a yellow-and-white color palette, until she was given pink wool instead. She has since become a common sight in My Melody's universe, where she often appears as her best friend. With her current name, one of My Sweet Piano's earliest known appearances was in the anime series Onegai My Melody, where she acted as a supporting protagonist.

My Sweet Piano, since her animated debut in 2005, has been showcased as a sweet, gentle pink sheep. However, she is also prone to losing her temper, giving her a very different atmosphere than normal. In fact, in one episode of Onegai My Melody, My Sweet Piano actually used a chainsaw to cut down a whale sculpture out of anger. Aside from such moments, Piano is super-cute and loving, her adorable design making her a well-liked character among fans.

Chococat Is Still Rather Underrated

Sanrio's Chococat waving hello.

Chococat debuted in the late nineties, and like Hello Kitty, is usually shown without a visible mouth. Aside from this distinctive trait, he has black fur, yellow ears, a brown nose and usually wears a light blue collar. Chococat is well-known for his ultra-sensitive whiskers, which allow him to pick up information about his environment. In fact, Chococat is actually able to pick up information about those around him, so the little feline is often the first to know about anything important.

Although Chococat, according to his official profile on the Sanrio website, can be scatterbrained, he is very intelligent. In fact, in Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures, Chococat loves reading and learning, and is fond of science. Interestingly, Chococat is actually not very popular in Japan. However, in the United States, Chococat is one of the most famous Sanrio characters, and a favorite of many in the west.

Keroppi Is Friendly and Outgoing

Sanrio's Kerropi

Keroppi, whose full name is Kero Kero Keroppi Hasunoue, was introduced in the late eighties. Aside from his green color palette, Keroppi is distinctive due to his large round eyes, rosy cheeks, and "V"-shaped mouth. Keroppi is also a triplet, and has a brother named Koroppi and a sister named Pikki. Alongside his immediate family, Keroppi's other relatives and friends also live nearby, in a place called Donut Pond.

Keroppi had many leading roles in anime series such as Hello Kitty and Friends, as well as his own series of animated episodes known as Keroppi and Friends. In these episodes, Keroppi is showcased alongside other characters in his universe, such as Den Den the snail and Teru Teru, who is a teru teru bōzu that can predict the weather. Other characters new to Keroppi's world, including Choro the lonely snake, were also introduced in special episodes, such as the holiday special "The Christmas Eve Gift - Santa and His Reindeer Kuppi". There, a star named Twinkle falls to earth during a snowstorm, and is rescued by Keroppi and his friends.

The Little Twin Stars Were Born on Christmas Eve

Official Sanrio art of the Little Twin Stars

The Little Twin Stars, as their name implies, are not just one character, but two. They are also each one of the few human characters to become popular worldwide, in a franchise especially well-known for their animal characters. The oldest of the Little Twin Stars is Lala, a pink-haired girl who is usually seen with a magic wand. Meanwhile, the youngest of the Little Twin Stars is Kiki, a blue-haired boy who usually wears a large yellow star as part of his ensemble. Both wish to become the best stars that they can be.

The Little Twin Stars were created as part of a Christmas promotion in 1975, and, as such, their birthday is December 24th. Because the two siblings came from the sky, they are usually shown wearing white clothing, similar to how angels are depicted in classical artwork. Though the two are rather different in demeanor, with Kiki being more impulsive and Lala being more timid, they often get along and are rarely seen without the other. The Little Twin Stars, since their debut, have been well-received worldwide and still act as some of Sanrio's most famous characters.

Pochacco Absolutely Loves Sports

Pochacco and his friends in official Sanrio art.

Many Sanrio characters are based off of dogs or cats, with Pochacco being one of the most prominent examples. Pochacco's design is simple yet sweet, and has several similarities to Snoopy, Charlie Brown's beloved beagle from the Peanuts comic strip. Like characters such as Chococat and Hello Kitty, Pochacco is usually drawn without a visible mouth. The playful canine character is also shown to wear several kinds of outfits, from T-shirts to sweatshirts.

Pochacco loves to go on walks, eat banana ice cream, and to partake in a variety of sports. Aside from basketball, Pochacco also loves soccer, and is stated to be a good goalie. In official merchandise, Pochacco is showcased alongside several other characters from his universe, including Choppy the mouse. Pochacco was also one of many characters to have a lead role in Hello Kitty's Animation Theater, where his first and only role was in the Sanrio version of "Jack and the Beanstalk".

My Melody Is One of Sanrio’s Most Famous Characters

Image via Sanrio

Since her debut in 1975, My Melody has continued to be one of the most popular Sanrio characters. The adorable rabbit is rarely seen without her signature pink hood, alongside a flower that sits atop her head. According to her official profile, My Melody is from the forests of Mariland, and loves to bake sweets with her mother. Other than My Sweet Piano and Hello Kitty, My Melody also gets along with Flat the mouse, and occasionally with Kuromi, another rabbit character. She is also the star of Onegai My Melody, where she acts as the partner of the human protagonist Uta Yumeno.

Earlier this year, Netflix released a stop-motion animated series titled My Melody & Kuromi. In the series, My Melody is working hard to make the customers of her popular cake shop happy. Meanwhile, a contest judged by a famous pastry chef is being held, and My Melody wishes to make the best cake she can for the event. However, a strange series of events begins to occur, causing My Melody and Kuromi to join forces in order to save their home.

Kuromi Stars Alongside My Melody in a New Animated Series

Netflix's My Melody & Kuromi smile in stop-motion animated series' promo visual

In more recent years, Kuromi, a major character in My Melody's universe, has become even more popular. Kuromi made her debut in the series Onegai My Melody, where she acts as the main antagonist. A rabbit just like My Melody, Kuromi is unhappy about how much more popular the other rabbit is, and thus acts as My Melody's rival. While she is very mischievous, Kuromi is not a wicked character, and her adorable antics have led her to become an incredibly popular mascot.

Kuromi is usually seen wearing a black jester's hat, which has a pink skull and matching beads. Unlike other rabbits, Kuromi also has a devil's tail, hinting at her mischief-making tendencies. In the recent show My Melody & Kuromi, Kuromi owns her own cake shop, which does not have any customers, much to the rabbit's annoyance. Though she deeply wishes to become popular in her own right, Kuromi soon finds herself working with My Melody in order to save Mariland.

Cinnamoroll Owns His Own Café

Sanrio's Cinnamoroll and Milk

Cinnamoroll, like several other characters including Kuromi and U*SA*HA*NA, debuted in the 2000s. According to his official profile, Cinnamoroll acts as the mascot of Café Cinnamon, known for their delicious baked goods. Though Cinnamonroll is often believed to be a rabbit, he is actually a dog with distinctive floppy ears. In fact, Cinnamoroll is actually able to fly in the air thanks to his ears.

Since his debut, Cinnamoroll has continued to be one of the most beloved Sanrio characters, aside from the mascot Hello Kitty. In fact, Cinnamoroll has even collaborated with the worldwide phenomenon Hatsune Miku more than once. The shy yet friendly mascot has appeared in all sorts of media, from animation to his own manga titled Fluffy, Fluffy Cinnamoroll. Cinnamoroll has also recently received a stop-motion animated series called Let's Roll, Cinnamoroll, starring several characters from his universe. There, Cinnamoroll appears alongside well-known friends such as Mocha and Espresso, and rivals such as Berry and Cherry of Lloromannic.

Pompompurin Won the 2025 Character Ranking

Pompompurin uses a blender on the beach

Pompompurin has a very simple design, yet he is one of the most distinctive Sanrio characters ever. Introduced in 1996, Pompompurin was created to act as the mascot for his own universe. According to his character profile, Pompompurin loves to eat and is very laid-back, allowing him to make friends with anyone. Other than doing his own sort of aerobics, going on walks and taking naps, Pompompurin adores eating the cream caramel puddings his mother makes.

Fans around the world absolutely adore Pompompurin, thanks to his adorable design and easygoing personality. The gentle dog character is rarely seen without his friends, including the clever hamster Muffin. Recently, Pompompurin appeared in Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures, where he owns an ice cream shop. Aside from this appearance, Pompompurin appeared in Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and even won the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking.

Hello Kitty Will Always Be Sanrio’s Most Famous Mascot

Image via Sanrio

Even as new mascots are introduced, Hello Kitty will highly likely remain the biggest star of the Sanrio franchise. Hello Kitty, whose real name is Kitty White, was created in 1974, yet officially debuted the following year. According to her profile, Hello Kitty lives in London, England, with her parents and twin sister Mimmy. Hello Kitty's favorite dessert is her mother's homemade apple pie, and she wishes to make friends with as many people as she can.

Hello Kitty has many friends in her own universe, yet is shown to be good friends with many other mascot characters, such as Pompompurin and My Melody. The beloved mascot has also appeared in several animated series, from Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater to Hello Kitty: Stump Village. Currently, her most recent role was in Hello Kitty Island Adventure, where she is one of the first characters the player meets on the island. She has also appeared alongside several famous anime characters, including Usagi Tsukino of Sailor Moon and Tony Tony Chopper of One Piece.