A wave of confusion swept through the fan community when this surprising revelation about Hello Kitty emerged, leaving many feeling perplexed and seeking clarity.

“It’s important to clarify that Hello Kitty is not a cat,” Jill Cook, a prominent executive at Sanrio, the creative force behind the iconic character, conveyed to Today in July 2024. “In reality, she is a young girl who was born and raised in the suburbs of London. She has a loving family, including her mom and dad, and a twin sister named Mimmy, who also happens to be her closest companion. Hello Kitty has a passion for baking cookies and cherishes the experience of making new friends.”

This revelation, while shocking to some, was not a new piece of information. Cook’s explanation echoed the sentiments previously expressed by Christine R. Yano, a well-respected professor of anthropology, who authored the insightful book Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across the Pacific. Yano had also confirmed earlier that Hello Kitty is not a feline character.

“To reiterate, Hello Kitty is not a cat,” she stated in an interview with the Los Angeles Times back in 2014. “She embodies a cartoon character who represents a little girl. She is a friend to many. However, she is not depicted as a cat. You will never find her on all fours; she walks and sits just like a two-legged being. Interestingly, she does have her own pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.”

Curious about more intriguing facts regarding Hello Kitty? According to Sanrio, she stands at a height equivalent to five apples, weighs as much as three apples, and celebrates her birthday on November 1, which makes her a proud Scorpio. Additionally, she harbors dreams of becoming a talented pianist or a creative poet.