Fri, 13 Feb 2026

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 Hello Kitty designer steps down after 46 years

Yuko Yamaguchi oversaw the feline character's rise to global icon status.
Yuko Yamaguchi, the designer behind Hello Kitty, is retiring after a 46-year career that has seen the character become a global phenomenon. She was instrumental in turning Hello Kitty into one of the world's most lucrative franchises, which has expanded to include various products and collaborations with major brands. Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, thanked Yamaguchi for her work and praised her for having "grown Hello Kitty into a character loved by everyone." A new designer, known as "Aya," will take over design duties in 2026, while Yamaguchi will remain at Sanrio to provide advice. Under Yamaguchi's tenure, Hello Kitty has become synonymous with Japanese "kawaii" culture and has appeared on countless products, from clothes and accessories to video games and even an Airbus plane. The character is set to make her cinematic debut in a Warner Bros film in 2028.
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