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The truth about Hello Kitty
Many generations of girls around the world will recognize Hello Kitty's white face and bright bow.
Where does Hello Kitty come from?
Japanese designer Yuko Shimizu has been heavily influenced by Lewis Caroll's Through the Looking Glass and now works with the Sanrio agency, creating other characters like Chococat, Deary Lou and Monkichi.
Yuko Shimizu created this cute little bobtail cat in the 1970s.
Hello Kitty (originally named Hi Kitty) first appeared on a brightly colored vinyl coin purse in 1974.
She is the center of a full milk jug and a bowl of goldfish.
Kitty fashioned to famous Kitty.
Hello Kitty started out as a simple fashion accessory, used by children, teenagers and even adults.
The Hello Kitty phenomenon has evolved even further - there are goods in abundance today like:
The trade has gotten even more wild, including:
Hello Kitty visit our screen.
TV show Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater reveals more about Hello Kitty's evolving personality.
Born November 1 in London, Kitty lives with her family;
Kitty is five apples tall and weighs three apples.
She loves baking cookies and eating her mother's homemade apple pie.
She likes to collect cute things, such as butterflies and her favorite school lessons are English, music, and art.
Her paternal grandparents are grandpa Anthony (a true storyteller) and Mrs. Margaret (who is skillful with needle and thread).
One of her best friends is Dear Daniel (also known as Daniel Starr) and he bought her a pet hamster named Sugar.
Kitty - A friend of children and a symbol of good luck.
Kitty has no mouth, and Shimizu claims that she doesn't need it - she speaks from the heart, representing a projection of affection, solidarity and friendship.
UNICEF even gave Hello Kitty an exclusive title - UNICEF Children's Special Friend.
Hello Kitty is also related to the traditional Japanese 'waving cat', also known as the Maneki Neko, which is said to bring good fortune, health and protection to the home and family.
Hello Kitty cannot please everyone.
Some people do not appreciate Hello Kitty's tremendous growth.
Even when complained by critics, this did not stop Hello Kitty from becoming the ambassador of Japan Tourism in China and Hong Kong.
Her popularity waned and has yet to fully recover after being beaten on the Character Databank Popularity Chart in 2002. As of 2010, she was third behind Anpanman and Pokémon's, Pikachu.
