thericechronicles: Hello Kitty

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty (ハローキティ Harō Kiti^?)^[3] (full name Kitty White (キティ・ホワイト Kiti howaito^?))^[2] is a fictional character produced by the Japanese company Sanrio, first designed byYuko Shimizu. She is portrayed as a female white Japanese bobtail cat with a red bow.^[1] The character's first appearance on an item, a vinyl coin purse, was introduced in Japan in 1974 and brought to the United States in 1976.^[4]^[5] The character is a staple of the kawaii segment ofJapanese popular culture.^[6] At age 36 as of 2010, Sanrio has groomed Hello Kitty into a global marketing phenomenon worth $5 billion a year.^[7]

Originally aimed at pre-adolescent females, Hello Kitty's market has broadened to include adult consumers. She can be found on a variety of products ranging from school supplies to fashion accessories and high-end consumer products. Several Hello Kitty TV series, targeted towards young children, have been produced. Hello Kitty is also the main character at the two Japanese Sanrio theme parks, Harmonyland and the indoorSanrio Puroland.

My Dear Great Ones,

$5 billion a year! One of the strangest things here in Hong Kong is the obsession with Hello Kitty. A day does not pass where I do not see in some form or another of Hello Kitty. From clothes, to shoes, to backpacks, to pens, paper, hair clips, you name it, the image of Hello Kitty in various forms is everywhere. Why? It would be an interesting study to determine psychological wise why people love Hello Kitty, suffice to say I think "cute," is popular, no matter what culture.

The other day I was at a mall and they had a mini Hong Kong set up with Hello Kitty figures. Bizarre, but thats what makes culture so interesting. I live in a weird but wonderful land.

Have a great week everyone.

Love adios and peng on!