Yuko Yamaguchi, the creative force behind Hello Kitty, has announced her retirement from her role in managing the brand after an impressive 46 years.
For many, Hello Kitty was a significant part of their childhood. The character debuted on a vinyl coin purse in Japan in 1974 and quickly gained popularity worldwide. Over the years, Hello Kitty has appeared in a variety of products including toys, apparel, games, and TV series.
Hello Kitty has also inspired themed cafes globally, and a new theme park is planned to open in China following a successful one in Japan.
Yamaguchi has been instrumental in the development of Hello Kitty since the 1980s and has played a vital role in its global appeal. Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, expressed gratitude for Yamaguchi’s contributions and announced she will continue to support the brand in an advisory capacity.
Sanrio stated, “We would like to thank Yuko Yamaguchi for her many years of hard work, and she will continue to provide advice and support as an advisor to Sanrio, drawing on her extensive experience and knowledge.”
A new designer, known as ‘Aya,’ who has collaborated with Yamaguchi recently, will take over the brand by 2026.
In a curious twist, there was widespread surprise online when it was revealed that Hello Kitty is not actually a cat.
This surprising news was disclosed by Christine Yano in 2014 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. Contrary to popular belief, Hello Kitty is not portrayed as a cat.
Yano told the Los Angeles Times, “That’s one correction Sanrio made for my script for the show. Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s a cartoon character. She is a little girl. She is a friend. But she is not a cat. She’s never depicted on all fours. She walks and sits like a two-legged creature. She does have a pet cat of her own, however, and it’s called Charmmy Kitty.”
Despite this clarification, many fans were bewildered, with one social media user remarking, “How dare you tell me she’s not a cat. THAT’S A DAMN CAT!” Another added, “Hello Kitty is not a cat, nor has she ever been a cat. Help. Nothing makes sense anymore.”
The revelation continues to be a topic of discussion among fans.