Sanrio Character Ranking 2025 — Record‑Breaking 40th‑Anniversary Finale
63.16 Million Votes Ignite the Fandom Frenzy
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the “Sanrio Character Ranking (Sanrio Character Taishō)” received a record‑breaking 63,160,696 votes, while the hashtag "#MySanrioFave" peaked across social media.
Final Overall Top 10
| Rank | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pompompurin | Returned to No. 1 for the first time since 2016 |
| 2 | Cinnamoroll | Slipped from an eight‑year reign but remains hugely popular |
| 3 | Pochacco | 1990s boom resurfaces |
| 4 | Kuromi | Overseas votes surged |
| 5 | Hello Kitty | 50th debut anniversary year |
| 6 | My Melody | Stable high rank ahead of 50th anniversary |
| 7 | Little Twin Stars | Collaboration products provided a tailwind |
| 8 | Hangyodon | “Melancholy Hangyodon” stickers went viral |
| 9 | Tuxedosam | Official X account gained popularity |
| 10 | Ahiru no Pekkle | 30th‑anniversary rerelease sparked jump |
📝 RAW JAPAN View: It is striking that half of the Top 10 consists of ’80s‑’90s “retro” characters. Rather than a generational turnover, fans across ages revisited the characters of their own childhood.
Mid‑term Results & Historic No. 1s
Look back at rank changes from the first flash report to the mid‑term announcement, and every overall winner since 1986.
- Notable mid‑term climbers: Bad Badtz‑Maru (+13), Usahana (+20) — nostalgic favorites on the rise.
- Most wins overall: Hello Kitty (18) and Cinnamoroll (9) top the chart, but winds of change are blowing.
Overseas Top 5 Rankings (14 Regions)
Different cultural spheres show distinct “oshi” preferences. The official panel summarizes the Top 5 in 14 regions (
); the Top 3 are listed below.
| Region | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland China | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Hello Kitty |
| Hong Kong | Cinnamoroll | Kuromi | Hello Kitty |
| Taiwan | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Pochacco |
| Singapore | Cinnamoroll | Pompompurin | Kuromi |
| South Korea | Pochacco | Cinnamoroll | SHOW BY ROCK!! |
| United States | Pompompurin | Chococat | Pochacco |
| Brazil | Chococat | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll |
| United Kingdom | Pompompurin | Chococat | Usahana |
| Italy | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Kuromi |
| Germany | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Kuromi |
| France | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Kuromi |
| Australia | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Kuromi |
| Thailand | yoshikitty | Cinnamoroll | Kuromi |
| Spain | Pompompurin | Cinnamoroll | Chococat |
🌏 Trend Point: In the West, the “Pompompurin & Chococat” duo dominates, while Cinnamoroll’s enduring popularity shines in Asia. Meanwhile, Thailand’s local ambassador yoshikitty took first place, showcasing regional flair.
Nationwide “Thank‑You Festival” Launch
Starting Wednesday, July 2, all Sanrio directly‑managed stores and Sanrio sections in department stores nationwide will host the “2025 Sanrio Character Ranking Thank‑You Festival.”
| Program | Details |
|---|---|
| Thank‑You Card Giveaway | Spend ¥1,100 (tax incl.) or more and receive one “Thank‑You Card” (12 designs, random). Distribution from 7/2 until stocks last; card size: 8.8 cm × 6.3 cm. |
| Thank‑You Pack with Acrylic Charm | “Thank‑You Pack” full of character goods sold for ¥1,500 (tax incl.) each. Comes with an original acrylic charm (7 designs: Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, Pochacco). Limit three per person, limited quantity. |
⚠️ Not available in the online shop. Some stores may not participate.
Summary
- A year of retro revival × next‑gen social media buzz worthy of the 40th anniversary.
- Regional diversity overseas is more pronounced than ever; cross‑border “oshi‑katsu” is set to accelerate via future collaborations and promotions.
- My Melody’s 50th anniversary awaits in 2026 — will the “pink whirlwind” seize the crown?
Sources
This article is a summarized and reorganized version of the press release on PR TIMES by the RAW JAPAN editorial team.
Images: PR TIMES / Sanrio Co., Ltd.
All images © 2025 SANRIO / Sanrio Co., Ltd.