When you think of Sanrio, chances are the first name that pops into your mind is Hello Kitty. But according to the latest 2025 ranking results which set the tone for 2026, she’s no longer at the top of the popularity hierarchy.
According to License Global, Sanrio COO Silvia Figini recently shared insights into how the company assesses and nurtures its growing lineup of beloved characters. She emphasized that “social media alone isn’t enough,” explaining that Sanrio also conducts formal brand research to track market share and compare each character’s performance against competitors and other major IPs.
Figini added that the company also depends on its annual character ranking poll, where fans vote for their favorites. She noted that, when matched with other data sources, the latest poll closely mirrored how fans are engaging with Sanrio characters today. The results, she said, reinforce their belief that characters like My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin, and Cinnamoroll will continue rising in popularity in the years ahead.
In the 2025 poll (which reflects what 2026 might look like), the ranking shook up the usual order. Instead of Hello Kitty, these characters now lead worldwide:
- Pompompurin — reclaimed the crown after years out of the top spot.
- Cinnamoroll — the cloud-winged pup stays strong as #2.
- Pochacco — sporty, cheerful, and gaining fresh love.
- Kuromi — edgy, playful, and clearly resonating with many fans lately.
- Hello Kitty — the legendary mascot slots in at fifth place.
Yes! Hello Kitty, long considered the face of Sanrio, is now behind four other characters in the 2025 poll. Meanwhile, sixth place went to Kuromi’s sweet predecessor, My Melody. Rounding out the top 10 were the Little Twin Stars in seventh, Hangyodon in eighth, Tuxedo Sam in ninth, and Pekkle in tenth.
The fall of Hello Kitty from the top spot doesn’t make her any less legendary. What it shows is: fandoms change, audiences grow, and nostalgia cycles shift. For Sanrio lovers, the ride gets more interesting with new icons rising, old icons staying beloved, and the whole universe becoming richer.
Source: CBR.com