Hello Kitty, the iconic character loved by millions, is not a cat. Yes, you have been living a lie for years. The news has surprised many, as it has always been believed that Hello Kitty is an adorable little cat. If you are interested in knowing everything behind this strange idea, we tell you how and why Hello Kitty is not a cat.
Hello Kitty, designed by Yuko Shimizu and launched by the Japanese company Sanrio in 1974, has always been described as a bobtail cat. The name "Kitty" literally means "kitten" in English, and its appearance with pointed ears and whiskers reinforced this idea. However, in a recent interview on NBC's Today show, Jill Cook, Sanrio's director of retail business development, made a surprising revelation: "Hello Kitty is not a cat."
The whole world is surprised to learn that Hello Kitty is not a cat
Cook explained that, in reality, Hello Kitty is a girl who was born and raised in the suburbs of London. This girl has a family, including a mother, a father, and a twin sister named Mimmy. "She is not a cat," Cook stated, pointing out that Hello Kitty does not walk on all fours and has a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.
The news has caused a great stir among fans and on social media. Many wonder how it is possible that a character with such feline characteristics is not actually a cat. "So, why is it called Hello KITTY?" asked a bewildered internet user.
Another user on TikTok commented: "Thank you for the information, but I will not accept it." The confusion and disbelief are palpable. The misunderstanding about the true nature of Hello Kitty is not new, as the character has been carrying the same for years.
A truth that nobody accepts
Approximately a decade ago, during the character's 40th anniversary, an exhibition was held in Los Angeles where it was clarified that Hello Kitty was not a cat due to her behavior and the presence of her feline pet. However, this revelation went unnoticed by many.
Sanrio’s clarification also raises questions about other anthropomorphic characters in the world of animation. For example, Disney’s Goofy, who acts like a human but is a dog, has been the subject of similar debates. However, Goofy’s identification as a dog has not changed.