Hello Kitty is one of the most popular and famous characters worldwide. She started as a simple character on a coin purse and later became an international sensation with her simple design, red bow, and kind heart. This article explores where Hello Kitty started and how she became a famous icon.
Hello Kitty was created by Yuko Shimizu, a character designer for Sanrio. Sanrio is a Japanese company that creates popular characters like Hello Kitty and sells related products, such as pencil cases and stuffed animals. Yuko Shimizu created Hello Kitty in 1974 and initially didn’t have a name for her. Hello Kitty was referred to as “the white kitten with no name.” In 1975, Sanrio started producing Hello Kitty products, like a coin purse. At that time, she still didn’t have a name. Inspired by the character ‘Kitty’ in Alice in Wonderland, Sanrio’s president, Shintaro Tsuji, added ‘Hello’ to promote social connection. In the late 1970s, Sanrio officially gave her the full name “Kitty White,” but to this day, she is still known simply as “Hello Kitty”.
A shocking fact that many people do not know is that, despite her cat-like appearance and the word “kitty” in her name, Hello Kitty is not a cat but a human girl.”When creating Hello Kitty, Shimizu imagined her as a little girl and got her inspiration from her childhood memories. As a kid, Yuko Shimizu remembered her interest in the character “Kitty” from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass.
Another big mystery is why Hello Kitty does not have a mouth. Because Hello Kitty has an expressionless face, people can project their own emotions onto her: when someone is happy, she appears happy; when someone is sad, she appears sad. It depends on the viewer’s point of view. Yuko Shimizu has also explained that she is meant to mirror others’ feelings and foster emotional connections.
People also wonder what language she speaks. Since she was made by a Japanese designer, many assume she is Japanese. But Sanrio has informed everyone that she does not speak any one language. They designed her to be a universal symbol of friendship and happiness. Hello Kitty has been said to only “speak from the heart” and is not bound to a single language.
Hello Kitty is more than just a cute cartoon character; she will forever be a timeless symbol of kindness and friendship. She has brought happiness to people of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers to adults. Today, Hello Kitty continues to bring smiles, and her timeless message of kindness will continue to brighten lives for generations to come.
Sources:
BBC World Service – Witness History – ‘I created Hello Kitty’
