Hello Kitty, the Japanese pop culture icon whose hometown is in London 

You must have seen Hello Kitty icons seen on bags, shoes and sometimes even clothes. With her round face, button nose and signature pink bow, she is a beloved character among kids and adults alike. Hello Kitty stickers have become increasingly popular these days and can be seen adorning notebooks, phones, and cars. However, you might not know that Hello Kitty is actually a cartoon character created in 1962 by a Japanese merchandising company called Sanrio. Want to know how this pop culture icon came into being and other interesting nuggets of information? 

Hello Kitty is a cartoon character  
In 1962, a Japanese businessman called Shintaro Tsuji founded Sanrio, a merchandising company. He was among the first to recognise the appeal of kawaii, or cuteness, in selling products and reaping profits. This realisation prompted him to commission cartoonists to create adorable characters for his merchandise. One of these cartoonists was Yuko Shimizu, who designed Hello Kitty. The first items featuring Hello Kitty were a coin purse, a bottle of milk and a fish in a bowl, which were released in 1974. It became a global phenomenon and an icon of Japanese pop culture. Initially, Hello Kitty merchandise was aimed at children, but as she gained popularity, Sanrio began to release items for teenagers and adults too. Nowadays, Hello Kitty items range from stationery and plushies to suitcases and toasters! 

Hello Kitty has a family in London 
Hello Kitty appears like a cat to many of you, isn’t it? You will be surprised to learn that it is actually a little girl with a British design and name. She has a family too! Her full name is Kitty White, and she lives in London with her family, including her twin sister Mimmy. Hello Kitty owns a pet called Charmmy Kitty, leading some to argue that she is a girl who resembles a cat. While Charmmy Kitty looks identical to Hello Kitty, she walks on all fours. The reason behind Hello Kitty's iconic name lies in Sanrio's motto, social communication. They initially considered naming her 'Hi Kitty' but ultimately chose 'Hello Kitty.' 

Hello Kitty has no mouth 
Yes, Hello Kitty's doesn’t have a mouth. This was a deliberate choice by Sanrio. According to him, Hello Kitty speaks from her heart and intends to promote friendship worldwide without language barriers. So, she doesn’t need a mouth. Unique concept, right? This unique feature also allows people to project their emotions onto her, making her relatable to them regardless of their mood. Ultimately, the absence of a mouth enhances Hello Kitty's universal appeal and makes her an effective global ambassador! 

There are Hello Kitty parks and shows  
Hello Kitty is more than just a cute face. She's a pop culture phenomenon. From her humble beginnings in merchandising to conquering amusement parks and TV shows, Hello Kitty has captured millions of hearts worldwide. Her star power has even landed her roles in animated series, books and video games as well. But the fun doesn't stop there. In Japan, Sanrio has built two theme parks, Puroland and Harmonyland. Fans can immerse themselves in a world of Hello Kitty and her friends at these parks. Hello Kitty’s influence has gone beyond entertainment. In 2008, she was named Japan's official tourism ambassador to China.