Amid celebrations for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary on November 1, fans of the beloved character created by Yuko Shimizu were surprised to learn that she is not as feline as she appears.
Jill Cook, Director of Retail Business Development at Sanrio, Hello Kitty’s flagship company, clarified on Today, July 18, that “Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s actually a little girl born and raised in the suburbs of London. She has a mom and dad and a twin sister, Mimmy, who is also her best friend.”
The revelation, while not entirely new, left some fans puzzled. Despite her cat-like appearance, including whiskers and ears, and her name, “Kitty,” the character is actually a human.
“So she has whiskers, ears, and is named ‘Kitty’ but is actually a human?” one fan questioned on TikTok. “What?”
Others found the news life-changing. “Hello Kitty has been my favorite since childhood,” wrote another fan. “I’m almost 40, and this is the first time I’m hearing this.”
This isn’t the first time Hello Kitty’s species has sparked debate. In 2014, during her 40th anniversary, anthropologist Christine R. Yano faced correction from Sanrio on the same issue while preparing for a Hello Kitty exhibit at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Yano explained, “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, named Charmmy Kitty.”
Fans were also surprised to learn that Hello Kitty is intentionally British. Created in 1974 for a Japanese coin purse, Hello Kitty’s British background reflects the era’s fascination with Britain, symbolizing an idealized childhood.
“Hello Kitty emerged in the 1970s when Japanese people were enamored with Britain,” Yano told the Los Angeles Times. “They loved the idea of Britain, which represented the quintessential idealized childhood.”
Despite the surprising revelation, Hello Kitty’s core message remains unchanged: friendship, kindness, and inclusivity. Cook emphasized on Today, “Her core message is friendship, kindness, and inclusivity. That’s part of what has helped her transcend borders, languages, and cultures.”
