After 46 years of shaping the world-famous Hello Kitty, Yuko Yamaguchi is stepping down from her role at Sanrio. Yamaguchi, who began working on the character in 1980, has helped Hello Kitty become a global cultural phenomenon. She will remain at Sanrio to provide guidance and support to the new designer.

Sanrio has revealed that another designer, known only as “Aya,” has been working alongside Yamaguchi and will officially take over by the end of 2026. Fans can expect continuity in Hello Kitty’s look and branding, as Aya learns from the longtime designer.

Hello Kitty first appeared on a coin purse in 1980 and quickly became a symbol of Japanese pop culture worldwide. Over the years, she has been featured on clothing, accessories, video games, and even an Airbus plane. The character has collaborated with major brands including Unicef, Nintendo, and Balenciaga.
Fans have also seen Hello Kitty in animated series, though she has never spoken, as she famously has no mouth. The character even appears in parade floats, such as those at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Theme Parks and Cafes

The Hello Kitty experience extends beyond merchandise. Cafes themed around the character operate globally, and there is a dedicated theme park in Japan. A second park is planned to open in China, showing the brand’s continued international growth.

Unlike other Japanese exports like Pokémon, Hello Kitty has a minimal backstory. Sanrio describes her as “not a human, but not quite a cat.” The character is said to have been born in London and has a twin sister named Mimmy and a boyfriend called Dear Daniel.