NEED TO KNOW
Twelve of Hello Kitty's friends are being introduced in the US for the first time by Sanrio
The new characters will be available across games and shows in 2026
Jill Koch, SVP of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio Inc., tells PEOPLE about the roll out and what fans can expect
It's time to meet some of Hello Kitty's closest pals!
Sanrio is introducing new characters to the U.S. market in 2026, sharing the first looks at the new lineup with PEOPLE.
The new characters are Cogimyun, a wheat flour fairy; My Sweet Piano, a gentle, sweet-natured girl sheep; Lloromannic, a little devil duo consisting of Berry, a demon boy with big ram horns, and Cherry, his cunning demon girl counterpart; Lovelymocha, best friend of Cinnamoroll; U*SA*HA*NA is a lively, colorful rabbit.
There's also Spottie Dottie, a fashion-forward girl Dalmatian; Wish Me Mell, a sweet rabbit girl; Info: Hanamaruobake, a white ghost; Marumofubiyori, a polar bear cub; the Magical Twin Comets, a pair of twin witch girls, Lili and Lulu; Kirimichan, a piece of sliced salmon; Corocorokuririn, a small hamster boy.
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"Bringing these characters to the North America market brings us great joy because our fans — like our characters - are wonderfully diverse. We're delighted to bring these characters with distinct traits and personalities to our fans, so each person can find a character they truly connect with," Jill Koch, SVP of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio Inc., tells PEOPLE.
If these characters look familiar, it's because some of them have already been introduced to Japanese audiences. For fans in the US, this will be the first time getting to know the extended gang.
"What's exciting about this group is the range of energy they represent: from soft and comforting personalities like My Sweet Piano and Hanamaruobake, to bold and playful characters like lovelymocha and U*SA*HA*NA , giving fans even more ways to discover a character they connect with," Koch says.
"For example, My Sweet Piano is a gentle, sweet-natured sheep who loves picking flowers and playing the piano, while lovelymocha is an outgoing and talkative puppy who dreams of becoming a bride."
Just like Hello Kitty, these characters have fun facts that help fans form deeper bonds with them.
"All of these characters have unexpected backstories and fun facts that fans will enjoy discovering. It's the little revelations that make each character feel rich and dimensional, and we love seeing how fans connect with the characters' charm points."
And of course, the crew is full of cute characters, which is "absolutely core to Sanrio's DNA."
"What's wonderful about this group is how each character's design embodies 'kawaii' in a unique way: the soft, pastel delicacy of Cogimyun and My Sweet Piano; the bold, colorful energy of U*SA*HA*NA; the fashionable flair of Spottie Dottie; and the playful mischief of Lloromannic. Each aesthetic invites fans to experience a different kind of joy," Koch says.
"But it's always cuteness with purpose and heart. These characters resonate internationally because 'kawaii' goes beyond language and culture - it's an immediate emotional response."
Sanrio fans will have exciting opportunities to interact with these characters across different platforms.
"Fans can currently interact with U*SA*HA*NA in the Hello Kitty Island Adventure digital game, and with Cogimyun in the Wheatflour Wonderland DLC. My Sweet Piano has also become a fan favorite in the My Melody and Kuromi series on Netflix," Koch shares.
"Fans can engage with all these characters across Sanrio's social channels as well. It's been thrilling to see fans connect with the new characters in all these storytelling formats. And in 2026, they'll be popping up in even more places – new content, products, and experiences – bringing their kawaii charm and playful energy to fans everywhere."
Koch is excited to see the brand continue the momentum that began with Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary celebrations this past year.
"It was also a reminder of why she's endured as a cultural icon across generations: she brings people together and will always be a fan favorite. At the same, we've always been about creating characters that resonate with people on a personal level. Each of these characters comes with a distinct personality and backstory, giving fans the opportunity to form their own meaningful connections with them," Koch says.
"By introducing new friends into the Sanrio universe, we're creating space for new stories, new connections, and new best friends for the next generation of fans while continuing to honor the character who started it all."
"Our goal is always to meet fans where they are, bringing these characters into the moments and places that matter most to them. We're excited to continue expanding our current collaborations and have some supercute ones in store for 2026!"
She adds, "These characters have been beloved in Japan for some time, and we're thrilled to now introduce them thoughtfully to American audiences. We can't wait for fans in North America to discover these characters and connect with their stories just like fans around the world have."
Read the original article onPeople
