Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, fans were thrown for a loop with the groundbreaking revelation that their beloved character is not actually a cat. The bombshell was dropped by Jill Cook, the director of retail business development at Sanrio, the Japanese entertainment company behind Hello Kitty. On an episode of ‘Today,’ Cook declared, “Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s actually a little girl.”
The Shocking Revelation
The news left fans confused and feeling gaslighted. Cook explained that Hello Kitty, the cult-favorite character introduced in 1974, was “born and raised in the suburbs of London” and has a family consisting of a mom, dad, and a twin sister named Mimmy, who is also her best friend. The family even has their own pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.
Hello Kitty is not a cat, according to the Director of Retail Business Development at Hello Kitty’s flagship company:
“Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s actually a little girl born and raised in the suburbs of London.” pic.twitter.com/4r4d6NMlJO
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 18, 2024
What Hello Kitty Really Is
Cook went on to describe Hello Kitty as a “tiny little girl” who “weighs three apples” and is “five apples tall.” She added that Hello Kitty enjoys “baking cookies and making new friends.” This depiction contrasts sharply with the widely held belief that Hello Kitty was a cat, a belief rooted in the character’s feline features and name.
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Origins of Hello Kitty
Yuko Shimizu, the original creator of Hello Kitty, also weighed in on the discussion. Speaking to the BBC, Shimizu explained that her design was “a white cat with a red bow in its hair.” She recounted how the illustration was inspired by a small white kitten she received from her father as a birthday present when she was a child. Despite the cat-like appearance, Shimizu confirmed that Hello Kitty is an eight-year-old girl who has her own pet cat.
Fan Reactions: Outrage and Confusion
The revelation sparked a wave of reactions from fans, many of whom took to social media to express their disbelief. “That’s a full cat with whiskers and fur btw,” one user tweeted, adding, “I can’t believe I’m being gaslit into thinking that’s not a cat. It’s a cat and it’s been a cat all my childhood.”
An Anthropologist’s Perspective
Anthropologist and author Christine Yano provided some context to the controversy. She explained that Japanese women in the 1970s were fascinated by British lifestyles, which influenced the creation of Hello Kitty’s biography. “They loved the idea of Britain. It represented the quintessential idealized childhood, almost like a white picket fence. So, the biography was created exactly for the tastes of that time,” Yano said.
The Hello Kitty Myth Debunked
Yano also pointed out that Hello Kitty is “never depicted on all fours. She walks and sits like a two-legged creature.” This detail supports the idea that Hello Kitty is more human-like than feline. However, Yano acknowledged that the character does have a pet cat of her own, named Charmmy Kitty, which further complicates the character’s identity.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion around Hello Kitty’s identity can be attributed to her design and marketing. With whiskers, a button nose, and feline-like features, it’s easy to see why fans assumed she was a cat. The name “Hello Kitty” itself suggests a feline character, further cementing the misconception.
Sanrio’s Explanation
Sanrio has attempted to clarify the character’s identity over the years. The company has emphasized that Hello Kitty is a personification, a little girl who looks like a cat but is not one. This personification is common in Japanese pop culture, where characters often blend human and animal traits.
Fan Outrage and Memes
Despite the explanations, fans remain divided. Social media exploded with memes and jokes about the revelation. Some fans humorously suggested that their childhoods had been a lie, while others expressed genuine disappointment.
A New Understanding
For many, Hello Kitty will always be a cat. The character’s feline features and long-standing perception as a cat are hard to shake. However, the revelation adds a new layer of depth to the beloved character, making her story even more unique.
FAQs
What did Sanrio reveal about Hello Kitty? Sanrio revealed that Hello Kitty is not a cat but a little girl who looks like a cat.
Why did fans believe Hello Kitty was a cat? Fans believed Hello Kitty was a cat due to her feline features, name, and design.
How did the creator of Hello Kitty describe her? The creator, Yuko Shimizu, described Hello Kitty as a white cat with a red bow but clarified that she is actually an eight-year-old girl.
What is Hello Kitty’s background according to Sanrio? Hello Kitty was “born and raised in the suburbs of London” and has a family, including a twin sister and a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.
How did fans react to the revelation? Fans reacted with a mix of outrage, disbelief, and humor, with many taking to social media to express their feelings.
Why did anthropologist Christine Yano say Hello Kitty was created as a little girl? Christine Yano explained that the character’s biography was influenced by Japanese women’s fascination with British lifestyles in the 1970s.
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