There have beenquite a few Sanrio television shows and animes over the years, showcasing the adventures ofSanrio’s cutest characters like Hello Kitty and Kuromi. In recent years, streaming platforms like Netflix have released their own Sanrio TV shows, most popularly,Aggretsuko, Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure,andthe upcomingMy Melody & Kuromi.
Not every Sanrio character has received their very own anime though, and many are extremely deserving. These ten Sanrio personalities might have appeared inHello Kittyshows at one time or another, but it’s about time they each received a dedicated anime focused on themselves.
Debuted in 1993
Bad Badtz-Maru, as his name suggests, is one Sanrio’s most mischievous figures. His 1993 debut made waves, since he is quite naughty in comparison to Sanrio’s mostly kindhearted characters up until that point.As the only troublemaker, Bad Badtz-Maru really stood out.
Badtz-Maru often stars inHello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures,and has strong relationships with others in the franchise, like his closest friend Keroppi and his equally rebellious crush, Kuromi. Badtz-Maru is a beloved background character, and his own anime would give him the chance to fully express his prankster personality.
Since he is in such sharp contrast with Sanrio’s sweeter characters, Badtz-Maru’s anime would be very unique. Watching the silly black penguin concoct devious schemes would make for an entertaining anime, and could also show that there is more to his character than just playful misbehavior.
9Pochacco
Debuted in 1989
Pochacco has an intriguing history because the little white and black-eared dogwas actually based on another pop culture icon: Snoopy.Their similar appearances do make them easy to mistake for one another, but Pochacco is his own character with a one-of-a-kind personality.
Far from just a carbon copy of Snoopy, Pochacco is a sporty dog with a passion for sports and skateboarding. He appears in many Hello Kitty series, likeHello Kitty’s Paradise,but his own anime is well-deserved since he doesn’t always receive the same level of love as other Sanrio characters do.
Because Sanrio boasts hundreds of characters from over the years, it can be tough to keep track of them all, but Pochacco is a delightful dog worth knowing. He has his own devoted section of the Sanrio fanbase, who would no doubt adore the chance to watch the good-natured dog’s own anime.
8Chococat
Debuted in 1996
Public opinion of Chococat is pretty mixed, depending on which country’s fans you survey.He is not very treasured in Japan, but he is a fan-favorite in the United States.In 2024, he received 46th place in the yearly character ranking, further proving that he is not amongSanrio’s most popular characters.
Chococat is inquisitive and his favorite thing to do is learn about the world around him. He has often appeared inHello Kitty and Friends Supercute AdventuresandHello Kitty’s Animation Theater, but not yet in his own anime series.
Even if he is not universally loved to the same degree as other characters like Hello Kitty are, a dedicated segment of fans views Chococat as their absolute favorite Sanrio character. His own anime could delve deeper into his interests and charming personality, and perhaps even increase his number of fans worldwide.
7Tuxedo Sam
Debuted in 1979
Debuting just a few years after Hello Kitty,Tuxedo Sam has been around longer than some Sanrio fans realize.This blue penguin is known for his interest in fashion and his clumsiness, making him adorably relatable to many people. He often scores fairly highly in character popularity polls, coming in at 9th place in 2024.
Tuxedo Sam has been included in numerous Sanrio films and animes, includingHello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures,Sam to Chip no wa Hachamecha Dai Race,andSam-chan no Obake Nanka Kowaku Nai,but he has never been the main protagonist of these productions.
Because of Sanrio fans' approval of him, his colorfully cute character design, and his endearing personality, a Tuxedo Sam anime would probably be a tremendous success. Tuxedo Sam also has a best friend, a seal named Chip, who could appear alongside him in the anime.
6My Sweet Piano
Debuted in 1980
The Sanrio fandom cannot get enough of My Sweet Piano, My Melody’s musically gifted best friend. Although My Melody has received an anime already, the same cannot be said for her sheep best friend.Onegai My Melody,My Melody’s own anime, features guest appearances by My Sweet Piano.
My Sweet Piano is similar in design to characters like My Melody and Hello Kitty, but she has pink wool fur to indicate her identity as a sheep. She has a lot of fun hobbies, but most of all, she adores playing the piano, indicated within her name.
Since My Melody has had her own anime, with another one on the way this year, it is My Sweet Piano’s turn. Sanrio fans who also love music would particularly be thrilled by a My Sweet Piano anime, since she is one of the company’s most musical characters.
5Dear Daniel
Debuted in 1999
Dear Daniel is Hello Kitty’s boyfriend.Some Hello Kitty aficionados may be shocked to learn the feline-like character even has a boyfriend, and that is because his prominence in Sanrio was very short-lived in comparison to others in the franchise.
Daniel is polite, gentle, and immerses himself in hobbies like photography, ballet, and making necklaces. For whatever reason, Daniel did not resonate with fans as much as other Sanrio characters, and he was quietly pushed to the side after losing a character popularity contest in 2013.
Daniel might have been a failure where it concerns his relationship with Hello Kitty, but his character has the potential to thrive on his own. An anime focused on Daniel himself, eliminating the romance aspect of his story, may actually give Sanrio fans a more positive perception of the character.
4Coro Chan
Debuted in 1973
At first glance, he may seem to be just a simple, cute brown bear, butCoro Chan was the beginning of Sanrio’s legacy.His creation predates Hello Kitty’s, contrary to popular belief. Disappointingly, his image did not have the same sway as his feline predecessor’s though.
A Coro Chan anime would draw more attention to this major component of Sanrio’s history. Even some of the most seasoned Sanrio lovers are unaware that he even exists, since Hello Kitty and her friends quickly overshadowed him as they began to take off and be portrayed in more merchandise.
Coro Chan was Sanrio’s first character, released in 1973, while Hello Kitty did not debut until 1974.
Coro Chan was sadly a financial flop for Sanrio when compared to names like Cinnamoroll and My Melody, for example. An anime of his own could give Coro Chan the comeback he needs, andintroduce Sanrio’s first characterto a whole new generation of adoring fans.
3Hello Mimmy
Debuted in 1974
Hello Kitty has a twin sister,who was released by Sanrio one year after she was. The only visible difference between the two sisters is that Hello Kitty dons red and blue clothes while Mimmy’s color scheme is yellow, but their personalities also set them apart.
Hello Kitty, whose real name is Kitty White, has a twin sister named Mimmy White.
Mimmy was shown pretty often in the 1999 seriesHello Kitty’s Paradise.Although she was a prominent character, the show was mostly about her life with her sister, Hello Kitty, their adventures through life together, and the sibling bond between them that only strengthened as they grew up together.
Mimmy’s sweetness and love of cozy hobbies like baking and sewing caught fans' attention, particularly during her constant appearances inHello Kitty’s Paradise. It would be lovely for her to step into the spotlight and be given an anime series centered on her own life and personality, not just in relation to her more famous sister, Hello Kitty.
2Cinnamoroll
Debuted in 2002
Cinnamoroll is a newer Sanrio character, but it took him no time at all to skyrocket to stardom.Voted the #1 most popular Sanrio character seven years in a row and counting,few characters in pop culture have achieved the status Cinnamoroll earned in just a few years.
Cinnamoroll does have a short 12-episode stop-motion web series,Let’s Roll, Cinnamoroll,which depicts the dog character and his adventures with his friends like Espresso and Milk. After the success ofLet’s Roll, Cinnamoroll,fans are left wondering what’s next for the icon.
There is still much more to tell about Cinnamoroll’s story and large group of friends, meaning he needs his very own anime. Whether he wins the Sanrio character ranking for 2025 or not, there is no disputing that he is among Sanrio’s best, and a television series all about him would be a hit.
1Pompompurin
As one of Hello Kitty’s closest friends, Pompompurin has appeared in the background of many of her animes, such as the web series,Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures.However, Pompompurin has not yet enjoyed a starring role in a show of his own.
Pompompurin is one of Sanrio’s most popular characters, portrayed as a lovable golden retriever dog who loves pudding and spending time with his friends and family members. It is evenrumored that he may rise to the top of Sanrio’s 2025 Official Character Ranking contest and beat Cinnamoroll, who has won every year for the past seven years.
Pompompurin was in a surprising first place for a while, but only time will tell which character is ultimately victorious. Whether Pompompurin manages to snag the top spot or not, he would certainly be the perfect subject for an anime, due to his vibrant, playful personality and sociable demeanor.
Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty is a globally recognized character created by Yuko Shimizu in 1974 for Sanrio. Initially designed for children, its popularity expanded to teens and adults, becoming a major part of kawaii culture. Depicted as a friendly, anthropomorphic cat from London, Hello Kitty has appeared in numerous animated series, comics, films, and video games. The brand is known for extensive merchandising, with over 50,000 products worldwide.
