LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hello Kitty, the beloved pop culture icon who inspires happiness around the world, is kicking off a year of festivities in honor of her 50th anniversary. Since her debut in 1974, Hello Kitty has had the unique ability to connect generations of people all over the world while sharing her positive message of friendship and kindness.

A cultural ambassador, Hello Kitty has transcended generations and borders for 50 years, influencing a variety of industries along the way, including fashion, beauty, food, music and design. A pioneer of Japanese culture, she also introduced American audiences to a new aesthetic, opening doors for wider appreciation of Japanese pop culture and storytelling in America, and paving the way for other brands to follow. Hello Kitty is a symbol of friendship, kindness, and inclusivity, and is a powerful source of comfort, nostalgia, and self-expression for her fans.

To celebrate, Sanrio®, the parent company of Hello Kitty, will host range of programs throughout the year for her devoted fans in the U.S., including a supercute art exhibit in Los Angeles, original content on the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube channel, exclusive collaborations, limited edition commemorative products, special appearances by Hello Kitty at major sporting events, new metaverse experiences on Roblox, celebrations in Hello Kitty Island Adventure on Apple Arcade, and more. Sanrio is also excited to announce several upcoming Hello Kitty Cafe openings across North America.

“An ambassador of friendship and kindness for the past 50 years, Hello Kitty has touched so many people globally and we want to share our appreciation for her fans by offering memorable Hello Kitty-inspired experiences – both IRL and digitally – all year long,” said Craig Takiguchi, Chief Operating Officer of Sanrio, Inc. “We look forward to commemorating this major milestone, while continuing to inspire people from around the world for the next 50 years with our vision of ‘One World, Connecting Smiles.’”

New content across YouTube, social media, and in the digital gaming space will honor Hello Kitty’s milestone year. A new AR filter is available to fans on TikTok, featuring Hello Kitty dancing next to five popular landmarks in London, New York, Taiwan, Tokyo, and Paris, each adorned with decorative and festive animations. Within Roblox, the My Hello Kitty Cafe experience will offer new interactive features each month for players to embrace the cheerful spirit of the beloved character, such as selecting from a range of Hello Kitty-inspired photo frames, dressing in Hello Kitty merchandise and accessories, and more supercute surprises. Superfans will also have the chance to explore a virtual Hello Kitty environment on ZEPETO, an immersive avatar-based social universe, featuring a variety of engaging activities celebrating the icon.

Sanrio is also extending the celebration by creating a virtual Puroland experience, which is an extension of the IRL theme park in Japan, taking place now through March 17. Fans can celebrate by exploring a variety of activities ranging from virtual parades to club events to performances by various artists. Access to the events varies and is available via VR headsets, gaming PCs, or YouTube streaming. Some events are free while others involve a paid component. All can be accessed through the event website. For more information, please visit Sanrio Virtual Festival 2024.

Additionally, the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC), known for its commitment to promoting understanding and friendship between the U.S. and Japan, has presented Hello Kitty with the Cultural Ambassador Award, recognizing her as an international symbol of peace and friendship.

For her 50th year, Hello Kitty will usher in a new age of friendship, and with it, new opportunities to spread kindness with impactful programming and partnerships that will make every day just a little bit better. To stay in the loop on all of the anniversary fun, visit Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary site here, and follow @sanrio on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Pinterest. Follow @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.

About Sanrio®:

Sanrio® is the global lifestyle brand best known for Hello Kitty® who was created in 1974, and home to many other beloved character brands such as My Melody, Kuromi, LittleTwinStars, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, gudetama, Aggretsuko, Chococat, Badtz-Maru and Keroppi. Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio’s business extends into the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming offerings and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product lineup which is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone’s faces with their vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles.” To learn more about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.