#Kitty #Hits #Milestone #WorthPoint
Hello Kitty, the adorable small, white cat from Japan, is recognizable worldwide, and for good reason. Introduced in 1974 by Sanrio, the cat, whose full name is Kitty White, was born in London on November 1, 1974. Fans worldwide are celebrating her 50th anniversary this year, and stores and online sites have tons of merchandise to mark this milestone. Collectors can’t get enough of the cute cat-themed items, and like other toy icons like Barbie or GI Joe, there are thousands of iterations to consider.
THE BIRTH OF AN ICON
Sanrio introduced the character in 1974 in the UK, but it took off when sales began in the United States in 1976. The original creator, Yuko Shimizu, came to Sanrio when the founder, Shintaro Tsuji, realized that rubber sandals with flowers did not sell as well as those with cute cartoon characters. Shimizu, a cartoonist, came up with the idea within a few days.
The first item that included the feline face was a vinyl coin purse. While several anniversary reproductions exist, collectors talk about a legend behind the brand, which claims that only one of the original coin purses exists. It sits in a vault at the company headquarters in Japan. Still, if collectors want to own something that evokes the beginning of a worldwide phenomenon, it’s possible to find one of the recreations.
STAYING POWER
Regarding toys that are also collectible, trends can come and go. Just ask anyone with an attic full of Beanie Babies in lucite boxes. Once considered an asset class of collectibles that would only appreciate in value, many still love them, but they do not sell for thousands of dollars. Chances are that cache of beanies isn’t going to fund your retirement.
What Sanrio has managed to do is focus on the popularity of the character. Initially, the items produced with Hello Kitty branding were inexpensive toys and trinkets aimed at children. They sold well but had a real resurgence in the mid-1990s when the brand re-launched some pieces as “retro.” At that point, every kid from the 1970s wanted to feel young again and believe that a little white cat wasn’t just a toy but a connection to their childhood.
In a recent article, the toy’s current designer, Yuko Yamaguchi, discussed this connection: “[She has no mouth] so that people looking at her can project their feelings onto her face because she has an expressionless face. Kitty looks happy when people are happy. She looks sad when they are sad. For this psychological reason, we thought she shouldn’t be associated with any emotion—and that’s why she doesn’t have a mouth.”
IS HELLO KITTY ANIME?
While she does appear in cartoons and other anime-adjacent products, Hello Kitty is part of the Kawaii culture in Japan. Kawaii is loosely translated to “cute,” but it’s more than that. The literal translation is “acceptable for affection” or “possible to love.” Kawaii merchandise is meant to be playful, and Hello Kitty is arguably a textbook example of the concept.
Sebastian Masuda, a Japanese social media star and creator, is credited with starting the culture of Kawaii. In an interview with The Comm, he talks about how kawaii helped people during the Pandemic, stating, “Kawaii is more like a philosophy, so I think it’s more important to think about it like during this Pandemic during which no one can dress up, and we have more time to think. So we’re having meetings with a lot of different countries to discuss how we can spread kawaii around the world. If we think of kawaii as a philosophy, we can become happier and more peaceful.”
FINDING HELLO KITTY IN THE WILD
The good thing about Hello Kitty is that she is everywhere. The Sanrio website has it all for the latest 50th-anniversary merchandise, but other online sites will have hundreds of vintage Hello Kitty items alongside newer creations.
Retail giant Nordstrom has also gotten into the game with a pop-up shop featuring exclusive clothing, shoes, and accessories featuring the feline phenom. One of their partners is Asian American knitwear designer Chet Lo, who created a knit dress that sells for $640, but Nordstrom also carries sweatshirts and T-shirts by Champion that are more affordable.
Adidas Stan Smith shoes are also part of the Nordstrom exclusive Hello Kitty offerings and have been flying off the shelves.
For thrifters looking to find some deals, they won’t be disappointed. Social media sites like TikTok and Instagram are full of reels from fans and collectors who scour thrift stores for anything related to their favorite kitty and post their hauls. A local news station in California recently featured a Hello Kitty collector who has her entire home filled with her finds. While showing the reporter around, the collector, who only shared her first name for safety reasons, pointed out the first Hello Kitty item, a set of erasers. Since then, she has amassed thousands of other items.
With a brand like Hello Kitty being so popular, fans should be cautious and look out for knock-offs. Experts advise fans that Hello Kitty’s bow is always on the left ear, there is never a mouth on any product, and there is usually a copyright label. Some items have a hidden holographic, light-sensitive mark to authenticate the piece.
For a simple character like a small cat with no mouth, Hello Kitty has staying power that not every collectible brand achieves. Due to its popularity around the world, there is plenty of Kawaii kitty cheer to go around.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives in the Boston area. She is the author of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep End of Everywhere and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly News/Essex Media Group. When not writing or walking her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard sales, flea markets, and badminton.
WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.
