Yuko Yamaguchi, the designer who created Hello Kitty, has stepped down after 46 years of nurturing the adorable character that has become one of the highest-grossing franchises worldwide.
On 14 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Japan's news site The Japan Times reported that Yuko Yamaguchi, the designer behind the Hello Kitty character, announced her resignation after serving for 46 years. She managed and developed the character's image into one of the world's most lucrative franchises.
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Yamaguchi took on the role of designing Hello Kitty in 1980, five years after the character's initial debut. The character quickly gained popularity in Japan and, over the four decades she oversaw it, achieved worldwide fame.
Sanrio, the company holding Hello Kitty's copyright, stated that Yamaguchi has passed the baton to a new generation and expressed gratitude for her work in growing the character into a beloved global icon. "Aya," a designer who has worked alongside Yamaguchi for some time, will officially take over by the end of 2026, while Yamaguchi will remain with the company as an advisor.
Hello Kitty first appeared on a coin purse in 1980 and became a global marketing phenomenon, appearing on clothing, jewelry, video games, and even Airbus airplane designs. The character has collaborated with major organizations and brands such as UNICEF, Nintendo, and Balenciaga, and has appeared as a giant balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the U.S. Currently, there are Hello Kitty cafes in multiple countries worldwide, a theme park in Japan, and another theme park planned to open in China.
Source: The Japan Times