Yoshikitty
| Yoshikitty | |
|---|---|
| File:Character portrait of Yoshikitty.jpg | |
| Created by | Yuko Yamaguchi |
| Years | 2009–present |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Theme park attraction(s) | Sanrio Puroland |
| Based on | Yoshiki |
| Official website | |
| https://yoshikitty.shop/ | |
Yoshikitty (stylized in all lowercase as yoshikitty) is a Japanese toy and merchandise line created in 2009 as a joint venture between Sanrio and Japanese musician Yoshiki of X Japan. The character was created by Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi. The brand specializes in rock-themed and high fashion goods, and was voted more popular than Hello Kitty in the 2018 Sanrio Character Ranking. Yoshikitty is the first Sanrio character modeled after a real-life person.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]In 2007, Sanrio designer Yuko Yamaguchi approached Yoshiki about writing an official theme song for Hello Kitty, which he premiered at Hello Kitty Con in Los Angeles in 2014.[2] As Yoshiki worked on the song, their conversations inspired Yamaguchi to create an original design merging the character and the musician into "Yoshikitty".[3]
Yoshikitty was revealed in May 2009 at X Japan's concert at Tokyo Dome. In August of the same year, large-scale Yoshikitty balloons were incorporated into the X Japan's stage production.[4] On October 2, 2009, Yoshikitty's second design was revealed at Hello Kitty's 35th Anniversary celebration in Los Angeles.[5]
The documentary film We Are X includes a Blu-ray special feature interview with Yamaguchi about her friendship with Yoshiki and the creation of Yoshikitty.[6] A life-size version of Yoshikitty regularly appears at the Sanrio Puroland theme park and on special television events to play piano or drums.[7]
Design
[edit | edit source]Yoshikitty's look is modeled closely after Yoshiki, and the character's main features are long blonde hair, purple eyeshadow, and black "rock star" attire.[8] Toys have also been released featuring Yoshikitty wearing Yoshiki's androgynous stage costumes, such as a red and white nurse outfit, a wedding dress, and a "Cinderella" outfit.
Merchandise
[edit | edit source]Yoshikitty has been the basis for over 500 products, including high fashion clothing, jewelry, and cosmetic items.[9] In 2019, a limited-edition 18k gold Yoshikitty figurine was released in collaboration with precious metal company Ginza Tanaka, with an estimated retail cost of US$10,000.[10]
International popularity
[edit | edit source]Yoshikitty has been nominated in the international Sanrio Character Ranking for eleven straight years (since 2015).[11] Yoshikitty had been voted more popular than Hello Kitty and won the 3rd prize in the 2018 Sanrio Character Ranking.[12][13]
In global voting, Yoshikitty has been ranked #1 in Brazil, China, France, Germany, and Thailand.[12][14][15][16]
References
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