Hello Kitty Designer Steps Down After 46 Years

Yuko Yamaguchi, the designer behind the globally recognized Hello Kitty character, is stepping down after 46 years. She took over design duties in 1980, five years after the character first launched. Interestingly, Hello Kitty is not actually a cat, but a little girl from London.

During Yamaguchi's four-decade tenure, Hello Kitty has become one of the most lucrative franchises in the world. The character has appeared on countless products including clothes, accessories, video games, and even an Airbus plane. She has partnered with major brands such as Unicef, Nintendo, and Balenciaga.

Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, announced that Yamaguchi has "passed the baton to the next generation." A new designer known by the pseudonym "Aya" will take over by the end of 2026. The 70-year-old Yamaguchi will remain with Sanrio to provide advice and support. Hello Kitty is scheduled to make her cinematic debut in a Warner Bros film in 2028.