Are you a die-hard Hello Kitty fan or someone who can't resist the charm of that adorable little white kitten with a red bow?
Well, you're in for a treat! We've gathered fun facts about Hello Kitty that every fan should know.
We've had the pleasure of chatting with insiders from the Japanese Company Sanrio and Hello Kitty fans from around the globe and learning about her. Curious as a cat? Read on to find out.
Top 10 Fun & Shocking Facts About Hello Kitty
1. Hello Kitty Is Not A Cat; Hello Kitty is A Little Girl.
It might shock you a bit, but Hello Kitty isn't a cute cat like you'd think because she is a girl. Japanese company Sanrio corrected and explained that she is a girl, not a cat.
The reason? She doesn't walk on all fours like a cat; she is a two-legged creature who walks and sits like a girl. So, the next time you see her, remember she's a cute girl, not a kitty!
2. Hello Kitty Doesn't Have A Mouth.
Unlike Maneki Neko, if you look closely at her adorable face, you won't find a mouth.
According to her creator, Yuko Shimizu, she doesn't need a mouth because she speaks from the heart.
It symbolizes that communication goes beyond words and can be conveyed through feelings, unity, and friendship.
Read: Most Unique Hello Kitty Gifts
3. Hello Kitty Is British, Not Japanese.
Did you know that Hello Kitty has a surprising nationality?
While she may have gained immense popularity in Japan and worldwide, she is British, but her character was created in Japan.
In the 1970s, Japanese people, especially Japanese women, liked things from Britain.
4. Hello Kitty Has Her Own Vinyl Record, "Hello World."
Did you know that Hello Kitty has her very own vinyl record? It's called "Hello World." She's even made her mark in the music world with her special record.
Moreover, Hello Kitty (originally named Hi Kitty) was first seen in a vinyl coin purse, and she was in the center of a goldfish bowl and a whole bottle of milk.
It was solely merchandise until the theater Hello Kitty's Furry Tale (with its own characters) ran in 1987.
5. Hello Kitty Has Her Own Maternity Hospital In Taiwan.
Here's a fascinating fact: She has her maternity hospital in Taiwan! It's the world's only Hello Kitty-themed hospital, and it opened its doors in 2008.
Unlike other maternity hospitals, the unique medical facility, Hao Sheng Hospital, has Hello Kitty-themed rooms to stand out in Taiwan's competitive maternity services market.
With the blessing of Sanrio, the maternity and postpartum care center is adorned with everything Hello Kitty.
6. Hello Kitty Became A Tourism Ambassador
Back in 2008, She made history by becoming Japan's Tourism Ambassador.
This prestigious appointment was announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, marking the first time a cartoon character had taken on such a role as a goodwill ambassador for Japan.
7. Hello Kitty's Real Name Is Kitty White.
Hello Kitty's real name is Kitty White, and she comes with a fascinating backstory.
She's the daughter of George and Mary White, her boyfriend is Dear Daniel, and Mimmy is Hello Kitty's twin sister. Grandpa Anthony and Grandma Margaret are her grandparents, and she resides outside of London.
8. Hello Kitty Has Her Own Pet Cat Named Charmmy Kitty.
Did you know that she has her very own pet cat? Her white cat goes by the name of Charmmy Kitty.
This adorable feline friend was a thoughtful gift from her father, and you can often spot the cat wearing a unique key around her neck. Daniel also gave her a pet hamster.
Read: Top Hello Kitty Gifts For Adults
9. Hello Kitty Has Her Own Wine Brand.
Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, joined forces with Torti Winery in Italy to create blush and white wine varieties bearing her label.
In the United States, you can find a selection of wines, including a rosé, a white wine, and a blush sparkling wine.
Also, Hello Kitty cafes, Hello Kitty Armbands, Hello Kitty Theme Park, and Keio Plaza Hotel rooms are of the fictional character theme.
10. In 2008, A Diamond-Studded Hello Kitty Doll Was Made Worth $163,000.
Sanrio introduced a special platinum Hello Kitty figurine. This miniature masterpiece measured 3.8x5.6 centimeters and weighed 590 grams.
The seven hair ribbons were adorning her, each crafted from precious gemstones, including diamonds, rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, and blue topaz.
Read: Recommended Hello Kitty Gifts
FAQs
How did Hello Kitty get her name?
Hello Kitty received her name because of Sanrio's motto, "social communication."
The founder, Shintaro Tsuji, wanted the brand name to align with this motto, so he included a friendly greeting, resulting in the name "Hello Kitty."
What is Hello Kitty's favorite fruit?
Hello Kitty's favorite fruit is apples, with apple pie being a particular favorite.
Apples can represent warmth, home, and togetherness, much like the feeling one gets from enjoying a slice of homemade apple pie.
What is Hello Kitty's age?
As for Hello Kitty's age, Sanrio said she was "born" in 1974, making her around 49 years old.
Unlike other characters, she is often portrayed as ageless and remains a perpetual third-grader. She weighs three apples and has a height of five apples.
What is Hello Kitty's favorite food?
Her favorite food is apple pie, and she is often seen enjoying this sweet and comforting dessert. She enjoys baking cookies but only weighs as heavy as three apples.
What's the creepiest Hello Kitty fun fact?
It's quite intriguing that a version of Hello Kitty is inspired by Sadako, the character from the "Ring" horror franchise.
Sadako has gained international recognition beyond her horror films, and seeing Hello Kitty take on an eerie resemblance to this tortured character is indeed a strange and unexpected match.
Wrapping Up
Hello Kitty facts are mind-blowing, and contrary to popular belief, she's not a cat but a cute little girl created by Sanrio [1].
Hello Kitty has a British background; her real name is Kitty White with a red bow at the left ear, and her twin sister Mimmy wears a yellow bow at the right ear.
Moreover, she has a wine brand, maternity hospitals, is assigned as an ambassador in Japanese Tourism [2], and is a Unicef special friend (children's ambassador).
But the best part is that if you're a Hello Kitty fan, you can find official Hello Kitty products like contact lenses, toys, clothes, a pink armband, and cute things to make your day even more adorable.
If you want to collect cute things, check out our Hello Kitty collection and other popular characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh.
References:
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/miranda/la-et-cam-hello-kitty-in-los-angeles-not-a-cat-20140826-column.html
- https://www.news24.com/life/archive/hello-kitty-to-be-appointed-japans-tourism-ambassador-20080520
