Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty was created by the Sanrio company in 1974 by Yuko Shimizu. She first appeared on a coin purse in Japan in 1975. Just a year later, in 1976, she made her debut in the U.S. In 2011, Hello Kitty turned 37!

A spokesperson for Sanrio says that Hello Kitty is not normally given a mouth because "without the mouth, it is easier for the person looking at Hello Kitty to project their feelings onto the character" and that "the person can be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty."

Hello Kitty was given an English name (Kitty White) because British culture was popular with Japanese girls when she was created.

Kitty's name came from one of the cats that Alice kept in the book Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll. When Hello Kitty's boyfriend "Dear Daniel", was created in 1999, designers took his name from the 1971 film, Melody, which starred Mark Lester as a character called Daniel and features songs by the Bee Gees.

Official character profile,
Full name: Kitty White
Birthday: November 1, 1974
Blood type: A
Height: 3 Apples
Weight: 5 Apples
Place of birth: London, England
Favorite word: "Friendship"

So, who is Hello Kitty?

Hello Kitty is a bright and kind-hearted girl, good at baking cookies and loves Mama's apple pie. Very close to her twin sister Mimmy.

Her Hobbies include traveling, music, reading, eating yummy cookies her sister Mimmy,
bakes, making new friends and going on adventures.

Her best school subjects include English, music, visual arts and reading.

Her Parents are George and Mary Bell

A few of many of Hello Kittys friends are, Kathy (a rabbit), Fifi (a sheep), Tracy (a raccoon), Joey (a mouse).

She likes to collect, small cute things like sweets, stars, goldfish etc.

She has a pet cat named, Charmmy Kitty and a pet hamster called Sugar,

Charmmy Kitty was given to Hello Kitty by her father, George, and Sugar by Dear Daniel.

MIMMY - Kitty's twin sister. She is shy. Kitty and Mimmy always spend time together because they are best friends. Mimmy wears a ribbon on her right ear so people can tell her and Kitty apart.

ANTHONY - Kittys Grandpa. He knows lots of neat stuff, and can tell great tales. Also he loves to paint

MARGARET - Kitty's Grandma. She is a master pudding maker. And she loves doing embroidery in her rocking-chair.

Hello Kitty's Friends:

CATHY - She is a quiet and gentle little girl rabbit. She always thinks of others before herself.

TIPPY- He is a strong and kind-hearted. And this big lad wants to be Kitty's number one beau.

JOEY - He is the most popular guy at school. As he is a cute mouse, he is a bit of a butterfingers but top-notch in track events.

JOEY - He is the most popular guy at school. As he is a cute mouse, he is a bit of a butterfingers but top-notch in track events.

JOEYS Girlfriend - Joeys girlfriend is as active as he is and often keeps him running

JODIE - A dog with a noggin for knowledge. Loves to study, and wants to be a researcher some day.

TRACY - He is a perky little raccoon who is often up to some harmless mischief. And he is everyone's friend!!!!

1. 1974, In the very beginning, Hello Kitty, did not have a name. It was first seen as a kitty with a little red bow on its left ear, sitting down. However, Hello Kitty instantly attracted respect and love of thousands of people in Japan with its cute design and character, which turned Hello Kitty into an instant celebrity.

2. 1975, This cute kitty was finally given a name, called Hello Kitty. The very first item which featured Hello Kitty was a wallet, which was a very tiny purse with the picture of Hello Kitty embriod on its side. Hello Kitty's family was also introduced.

3. 1976, The company Sanrio took the job of the main distributor and owner of Hello Kitty. Sanrio welcomed and celebrated Hello Kitty by creating a new pose for Hello Kitty. Instead of just a sitting pose, they made Hello Kitty a standing pose.

4. 1980, Hello Kitty playing sport! Hello Kitty was in a tennis top and playing tennis. Holding a tennis racket and a ball, extremely cute and adorable. Hello Kitty digital watch was also released and went on sale that year, and more than a million watches were sold.

5. 1981, The range of Hello Kitty items on sale expanded to telephones and cameras also some more electronic products, which it continued to increase year after year. The first Hello Kitty movie was made, called "Kitty and Mimi's new umbrella".

6. 1988,Cris-cross and straight lined background Hello Kitty is back. This design became really popular, and received large recongition from around the world. US CBS television started to show the first Hello Kitty cartoon on TV, "Hello Kitty's Fairy Tale Theater".

7. 1989, English Hello Kitty comic series went on sale in US. This attracted even more fans because the reader could actually get a closer feel to Hello Kitty, it friends, family and life.

8. 1993, Hello Kitty design changed! The bow on her ear changed to a flower, a new start to this new look of Hello Kitty.

9. 1997, Traditional Kitty design. Hello Kitty in traditional Japan clothing, also in school uniform, beach uniform, wedding gown. Mermaid Kitty was also a popular design.

10. 1998, Kitty's House themepark opened, attracted thousands of visitors a day.

In Japan there are two Hello Kitty theme parks! There are also Hello Kitty themed restaurants. Many people choose to get married with a Hello Kitty themed wedding. Also, there is a Hello Kitty maternity hospital in Taiwan! That's right, women can give birth in this special Hello Kitty hospital! There are Hello Kitty bed sheets and her face is on pretty much everything, even the nurse's clothes. The owner said he thought it would be a relaxing atmosphere for women during labor and that it would put them at ease. I don't know how I would feel about it personally, but they sure seem to love Hello Kitty quite a bit in Taiwan.

In May 2008, Japan named Hello Kitty the ambassador of Japanese tourism in both China and Hong Kong, which are two places where the character is exceptionally popular among children and young women. This marked the first time Japan's tourism ministry had appointed a fictional character to the role.

There are numerous Hello Kitty stores around the world, picture shows the one of many in Spain.

She's a popular character in Asia as well as in the West. There even are celebrity endorsements for Hello Kitty!

Lady Gaga is gaga for Hello Kitty! Mariah Carey adopted her as a fashion statement. Some other celebrities that love Hello Kitty are: Christina Aguilera, Drew Barrymore, Big Boy of Outcast, Cameron Diaz, Carmen Electra, Celesta Flock hart, Heidi Klux, Lindsay Loan, Mandy Moore, Kelly Osborne, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kiore Lee Simmons, Raven Symons, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefan, Steven Tyler, and Mile Cyrus.

Updated: 2011-12-28 15:03

By Guo Nei (China Daily)

China's first Kitty restaurant attracts more than it can seat

BEIJING - China's first Hello Kitty theme restaurant was launched recently in the capital. It's so crowded at all times that it's advisable to call ahead and reserve a spot before reaching the venue.

In China's first Hello Kitty theme restaurant, newly opened in downtown Beijing, two girls play with a big doll modeled after the cartoon character on Saturday. [Photo/ China Daily]

Expectedly, it's all pink and sweet inside the restaurant, authorized by the Japanese parent company Sanrio. The tablecloth is pink, as are the chairs, ceiling and floor, even the lamp light shines soft and rosy.

Waiters are in white shirts with a red bow and blue rompers, while waitresses wear pink dresses.

The whole restaurant is designed like a dining room in a fairy tale. A Christmas tree stands in the middle of the room, surrounded with Kitty balloons - a favored spot for taking pictures in the restaurant.

Dining at Hello Kitty Dreams Restaurant, which opened on Dec 23 at Sanlitun Village shopping zone in Beijing, costs 160 yuan ($25) on average per person. Sanlitun Village is regarded as one of the city's most charming areas, lined with bars and international brand-name stores.

Duan Yahui, a 21-year-old woman from East China's Shandong province, celebrated her birthday with her boyfriend at the restaurant.

"I was so happy to celebrate my birthday at the Kitty theme restaurant," she said. "It's like being in Disneyland."

Duan was very satisfied with the food, and showed off her Kitty-shaped birthday chocolate, sent by the restaurant.

"It's too cute to eat," she laughed. "My friends in my hometown who also love Kitty are jealous about my experience," she joked. "I will bring them here when they visit me during the Spring Festival."

Duan was lucky to get a spot by calling for reservation weeks ago. But other fans weren't as lucky.

Han Yang and her friend were stopped at the entrance on Christmas Day.

"I came particularly to have a Christmas brunch with my friend," said Han, staff member at China Mobile Limited Company, who drove all the way from the fringes of the city with a friend but was unable to get in, not having a reservation.

"I understand its popularity since it's the first Kitty theme restaurant in China," she said and booked for lunch on Jan 3.

Hello Kitty is a Japanese cartoon character that has thousands of fans all over the world. Kitty has been portrayed as a white girl cat with a pink bow and been widely accepted and loved in Asia since it was created. It's now a big global brand. Kitty

The first 10 customers are admitted without reservation during afternoon teatime, according to Sarah Wang, CEO of the restaurant. But it's obviously not enough.

The restaurant's hotline (010-84059021) is busy at all times. Wang said they applied for more hotlines to ensure greater convenience to customers.

Although the restaurant could accommodate 100 customers, Wang reserved a table against each order during the trial run to maintain high-quality service.

Wang is not keen to open a chain of restaurants, in spite of the overwhelming success of the pilot outlet.

"It's my first time in gourmet business and I wish to go about it carefully," Wang said.

Luo Wangshu contributed to this story.