Yoshikitty’s worldwide popularity has taken a great leap forward by placing third in the 2018 Sanrio Character Awards, announced July 1 at Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo.
This year’s results mark the highest ranking ever for Yoshikitty, who has now placed in the top 10 for three years in a row.
The popular character, based on X Japan leader YOSHIKI and created by Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi, also achieved first placed in the regional rankings in China, Italy, Germany and France.
Fans from around the world voted to support Yoshikitty in the 2018 Sanrio Character Awards, which went on for one month, starting on May 10, with results announced on July 1.
Fans from around the world voted to support Yoshikitty in the 2018 Sanrio Character Awards, which went on for one month, starting on May 10, with results announced on July 1.
In total, 465,907 votes were cast in favor of Yoshikitty, who is the only Sanrio character modeled after an existing person.
Yoshikitty has appeared in the Character Awards for four consecutive years starting in 2015, and has grown in popularity in that time through its battles with other characters in the rankings, including beating the ever-popular Hello Kitty in this year’s voting.
Yoshikitty has appeared in the Character Awards for four consecutive years starting in 2015, and has grown in popularity in that time through its battles with other characters in the rankings, including beating the ever-popular Hello Kitty in this year’s voting.
Boosted by YOSHIKI’s and X JAPAN’s international popularity, Yoshikitty placed in the top 3 in seven out of eleven countries officially represented, in competition with the top 100 Sanrio characters.
First Place – China, Italy, Germany, France
Second Place – South Korea, Brazil
Third Place – Great Britain
Second Place – South Korea, Brazil
Third Place – Great Britain
“I’m currently hard at work wrapping up recording in L.A., so this was wonderful to hear,” YOSHIKI said. “I sincerely thank all of the fans who voted for Yoshikitty and everybody who has cheered me on. When I return to Japan the week after next, I’ll be sure to thank Yoshikitty directly.”
YOSHIKI hinted at a possible appearance by the character at YOSHIKI’s sold-out dinner show concert series later this month.
The 33rd Sanrio Character Awards (2018)
Voting period: May 10th, 2018 to June 11th, 2018
Presentation of results: July 1st, 2018 – Location: Sanrio Puroland
Total votes cast: 4,840,060
Rankings (Top 10):- Cinamoroll 520,224 votes
- Pom Pom Purin 500,188 votes
- Yoshikitty 465,907 votes
- Hello Kitty 327,245 votes
- My Melody 297,335 votes
- Pochacco 261,395 votes
- Little Twin Stars 254,408 votes
- Kudetama 219,792 votes
- SHOW BY ROCK!! 139,775 votes
- Kuromi 126,827 votes
