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| Hello Kitty – cultural legend. (Source: metropolisjapan) |
Hello Kitty, whose signature image is a red bow, enjoys traveling, reading and baking. Despite celebrating her 50th birthday, she is still only as tall as five apples. The character was created by designer Yuko Shimizu half a century ago and quickly became a phenomenon in Japan in the 1970s.
Hello Kitty is not only loved by children but also attracts the attention of adults and many celebrities. From clothes, stationery, makeup to cartoons, comics, video games and books, Hello Kitty is always present in the daily lives of fans.
Despite her popularity, Hello Kitty's background is very limited. Her full name is Kitty White, and she lives with her family in the suburbs of London. Notably, Hello Kitty is actually a girl, not a cat as many people assume, and she has a twin sister named Mimmy.
Hello Kitty was inspired by a kitten given to her by Shimizu's father. The character's first design appeared on a vinyl coin purse in 1974 and was an instant hit in Japan.
Today, Hello Kitty's image has appeared on tens of thousands of different products, including collaborations with famous brands such as Adidas, GCDS and Balenciaga. Hello Kitty is ranked as the second highest-grossing media brand in the world, behind only Pokémon, surpassing Mickey Mouse and Star Wars.
Over the decades, Hello Kitty has become more than just an entertainment character; she has also become a cultural icon with many different roles. She has taken on the role of ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and special envoy for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hello Kitty's image has also appeared in many cafes, restaurants and amusement parks.
In addition, Hello Kitty is now a phenomenon on social networks, especially TikTok, with more than 3.5 million followers and 27.9 million likes. This shows that the appeal of this character is not only limited to physical products but also spreads strongly in the digital space.
With 50 years of development, Hello Kitty has affirmed its position as a cultural icon not only in Japan but also around the world, reflecting the combination of tradition and modernity in the entertainment industry.
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