Let’s be real—Sanrio characters aren’t just cute, they’re iconic. Whether you’ve got a Hello Kitty lunchbox or a My Melody phone case (guilty!), these characters have taken over our hearts, and maybe our wallets, too. So, in a world where everybody’s obsessed with “cute,” I figured I’d rank the most beloved Sanrio characters for you—because who doesn’t love a ranking, right?
The Queen, Hello Kitty
Okay, let’s just get this out of the way: Hello Kitty is basically the Beyoncé of the Sanrio characters world.
What Makes Her The GOAT?
- Created in 1974, so she’s older than half of us
- The bow. The no-mouth thing. The perfection.
- Icon status. Like, you see her on anything and you’re like, “Yup, that’s it, I’m buying it.”
- Honestly, I feel like Hello Kitty’s probably secretly behind half of my impulse buys. No, I don’t need that Hello Kitty toaster, but sure, take my money.
But seriously, her popularity is ridiculous. She’s practically everywhere—on planes, in stores, even in “high fashion” collabs. Seriously, I saw a Hello Kitty x Balenciaga collection once and thought, “Did I just wake up in a fever dream?” Yeah, that happened.
My Melody: The Chill Bunny
Here’s the kicker—My Melody is lowkey a big deal. If Hello Kitty is the queen, My Melody is like, the gentle princess of the bunch.
My Melody’s Vibe
- Came out in 1975—just a year after her bestie (Hello Kitty, duh).
- Always in a red or pink hood. You know, the one that makes you think, “I’d wear that for sure if I could pull it off.”
- Very soft, very nurturing. If she were real, she’d be the one baking cookies while offering unsolicited life advice.
I don’t know if it’s the soft, pastel vibes or the fact that she just looks like she’d hand you a blanket on a cold day, but My Melody is a fan favorite. She might not have the same wild recognition as Hello Kitty, but her subtlety pulls people in. Maybe that’s why she’s secretly a legend among Sanrio characters.
Kuromi: The Punk Rock Badass
And then we have Kuromi. She’s like the rebel of the Sanrio characters, but like, the cool kind of rebel. Think less “angsty teen” and more “punk-rock queen with a heart of gold.”
Why Kuromi’s Got It
- Introduced in 2005—definitely part of that “cooler” generation.
- Wears a black jester’s hat with a skull on it. Yeah, a skull. She’s hardcore like that.
- Her whole “bad girl” thing? It’s literally a mood.
Kuromi’s the kind of character you’d want as your bestie if you were into anime, alternative fashion, and maybe a touch of sarcasm. People who like her probably also love those super edgy bands you’ve never heard of. But like… in a good way.
Cinnamoroll: The Fluffy Puppy
Fast forward past three failed attempts at baking cookies, and we get to Cinnamoroll. This puppy looks like he belongs in a dream, or at least in a soft, pastel-themed café.
Why Cinnamoroll’s a Vibe
- Debuted in 2001—he’s the ‘I’m too cute to function’ dog.
- Puppy with ears so big he flies with them—yes, you read that correctly. I mean, does that not make you want to adopt him?
- Just… look at him. Fluffy. Dreamy. He’s basically the living embodiment of “comfort.”
As someone who once tried to cuddle my pillow as if it could magically turn into Cinnamoroll, I’ll admit, he’s one of the softest and cutest Sanrio characters out there. And honestly, he’s perfect for when you need that “awww” moment in your day.
Gudetama: The Lazy Egg Who Gets Us
Okay, let’s take a hard left and talk about Gudetama. He’s the egg-shaped, lazy dude who doesn’t want to do anything, and y’all, I get him. He gets me.
What Makes Gudetama So Relatable
- Came to life in 2013—perfect timing for millennials who, like, never want to leave their beds.
- Always saying “meh.” Honestly, same. I can barely get out of bed for brunch, let alone deal with a full day of adulting.
- He’s a mood. The actual embodiment of “no thanks, I’m good.”
Look, if you’ve ever thought “I need a nap” in the middle of doing literally anything, then Gudetama’s your spirit animal. (Heck, he’s probably my spirit animal.) If I could just stay in my bed all day and not feel guilty about it, I’d be Gudetama.
Little Twin Stars: Kiki and Lala, the Cosmic Cuties
Let’s talk about Little Twin Stars, aka Kiki and Lala. These two have been floating around since 1975 and are the celestial duo of the Sanrio characters universe.
Little Twin Stars, Big Dreamers
- They’re twins. They’re magical. They’re literally from the stars.
- Kiki is the boy twin, and Lala is the girl twin. Super wholesome.
- They represent dreams, hope, and, like, all things pure.
I honestly think these two are the kind of characters you’d look at when you need a break from your “grumpy day” and need a reminder that dreams do come true. Plus, their pastel aesthetic is chef’s kiss—and it doesn’t hurt that their theme is perfect for some late-night Pinterest scrolling.
Badtz-Maru: The Grumpy Penguin
Now we have Badtz-Maru. He’s like the cool kid in class who’d rather be doing literally anything else but school. But in a cute way, you know?
Badtz-Maru’s Punk Persona
- Debuted in 1993—he’s one of the OGs.
- Penguin, but with attitude. If I had his look, I’d probably skip every meeting, too.
- Always scowling, probably because he’s tired of your nonsense. Or maybe just tired in general.
Honestly, Badtz-Maru’s whole vibe is “don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee.” And I can respect that.
Tuxedosam: The Classy Penguin
Next up is Tuxedosam, who’s like, the perfect balance of fancy and cute. This penguin wears more bowties than I’ve ever seen in my life, and frankly, I respect that.
What’s So Special About Tuxedosam?
- Loves food. He’s basically me at brunch.
- Speaks with a posh British accent (if you’re into that kind of thing).
- He’s like, the penguin who could show up at a fancy dinner party and fit right in.
Tuxedosam’s the kind of guy who’d roll up to your dinner party wearing a suit, crack a dad joke, and still make everyone laugh. He’s got charm, people.
The Newbies: Aggretsuko, Hangyodon, and Friends
Look, Sanrio didn’t stop at their OG characters. Newbies like Aggretsuko, Hangyodon, and Cogimyun are bringing some fresh flavor to the Sanrio characters family.
- Aggretsuko is a red panda who lets out her office frustrations through death metal. Honestly, I need her energy in my life.
- Hangyodon is a fish who’s always down for a good time.
- Cogimyun is a delicate fairy who will make you rethink your entire vibe.
These new characters are making Sanrio characters relevant to a whole new generation. I mean, who wouldn’t love a red panda yelling at her boss in death metal?
The End (Not Really)
So there you have it—the Sanrio characters ranked from Hello Kitty’s world domination to the underdogs like Tuxedosam and Gudetama. Whether you’re a diehard Hello Kitty fan or a fresh newbie with a soft spot for Aggretsuko, there’s a little something for everyone in Sanrio’s colorful universe. And honestly, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to favorites. I mean, if I had it my way, my house would be covered in Cinnamoroll plushies, and no one would stop me.
Anyway, I’m off to drink my Gudetama mug tea, but y’all should go ahead and pick your favorite. Don’t overthink it.
