40 Awesome Photos to Celebrate Hello Kitty’s 40th Anniversary!

Just when you thought you knew your childhood friends, Sanrio threw us all for a loop this year when it announced that Hello Kitty is not, in fact, a cat. She’s a cartoon character, a little girl. Who just happens to look like a cat. Oh, and did you know that her last name is White? And that she’s 40, but she doesn’t age? These are some of the jaw-dropping facts one discovers when visiting the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, home of Hello Kitty’s 40th Anniversary celebration. On a recent press preview visit to the museum, I—a lifelong fan of Sanrio (except for those few years in junior high school when kids made fun of me to the point that I had to give it up)—soaked up all there was to know about our favorite kitten girl. And now, I present to you 40 photos from Hello Kitty’s 40th!

Take a look at the very first Hello Kitty item ever—a clear vinyl coin purse from March 1975. The item cost less than a $1 and launched the Hello Kitty brand. Also, notice the goldfish, who became Hello Kitty’s very first friend.

Going to school got a little more colorful when Sanrio expanded its lines of Hello Kitty products to include items like an address book (from 1976), vinyl wallet (1985), lunch case with bottle (1983), and more.

The first Hello Kitty telephones! The name Sanrio was derived from several places with similar-sounding names in the West. Literally meaning “Pure River” in Japanese, Sanrio embodies the spirit of a company as a global enterprise with roots in Japan and a far-reaching fan base.

This house is extra special to me. It’s one of the first Hello Kitty items that my parents ever bought me as a kid growing up in St. Louis, and I still have it! In fact, when I saw that it was featured at the museum, I had my mom get it out of my closet and put it somewhere for safe keeping!

What’s even crazier is that Hello Kitty and her family don’t live in Japan (I know, right?). According to the official bio, Hello Kitty and her twin sister, Mimmy, were born to the White Family: Papa George, Mama Mary, Grandpa Anthony, and Grandma Margaret. They live in that two-story house just outside of London!

You can tell identical twin sisters Hello Kitty and Mimmy apart by their placement of their bows: Hello Kitty’s rests over her left ear, while Mimmy’s rests over her right.

Hello Kitty is often associated with the Japanese term “kawaii,” which means cute and represents tugs of the heart. Aww.

Trinkets are small gifts that accompany purchases at Sanrio stores and demonstrate the “small gift, big smile” philosophy. Here is some of the Hello Kitty packaging often used in Sanrio stores throughout the years.

More Hello Kitty memorabilia on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. What did you own?

Vintage stickers from the Hello Kitty archives. Since her inception, Hello Kitty has had three designers directing her look. Yuko Yamaguchi has been in charge of Hello Kitty’s visual evolution since 1980, and is affectionately known to U.S. fans as “Kitty Mama.”

Hello Kitty ads in Japan. When I was growing up, my best friend (whose family was from Japan), often brought me Sanrio items from Tokyo. To this day, I still have them.

In case you ever doubted the popularity of Hello Kitty, look no further than Hello Kitty motor oil and duct tape. You know, for the man in your life who can’t get enough Kitty.

For those who think Hello Kitty motor oil is going a bit far, might I suggest Hello Kitty toilet paper?

Hello Kitty has a “special friend” in Dear Daniel, who was introduced in 1999. Often presented as a pair, they appear as wedding dolls or “partners in fun.” Next time you’re out with your guy, tell him you want to be his partner in fun and let me know the look he gives you.

Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel also often appear as emperor and empress. How swanky.

Check out the backpack wall on display at the exhibit. Parents, I recommend telling your children before they enter the museum that these items are not for sale. That’s not a meltdown I want to be around.

Can’t decide between Elmo or Hello Kitty? I recommend the Sesame Street Elmo plush from 2011 that pays homage to Hello Kitty. Problem solved.

Hello Kitty can be found on souvenirs for destinations and monuments. Japanese Hello Kitty gotouchi (signature place) products play upon this to an extreme. Some of these designs include Crab (2007), Sausage (2007), Shizuoka (2008), Dear Daniel Dumplings (2009), Hot springs (2003), Hokkaido (2006), Awaji (2006), Mt. Fuji (2003), Nagoya (2006), Subway (2009), Pickled Radish (2005), and Traditional Japanese (2006).

Why can’t all notepads look this cute?

Although Hello Kitty has mostly remained the same since her debut, she has had some tweaks over the years (oversize bows, color changes, black outline figure vs. no outline, etc.). Here she is in her early years:

1977-1980

1981-1984

1985-1988

1989-1992

1993-1996

1997-2000

2001-2004

2005-2008

2009-2013

And here she is now!

Hello Kitty is five apples tall, weighs three apples, and has blood type A.

Although Hello Kitty’s birthday is November 1, she does not get a year older. According to Sanrio, she is ageless!

Hello Kitty has a pet kitten named Charmmy Kitty (introduced in 2004). And unlike Hello Kitty, she is a cat. How do we know this? Because she’s always on all fours. Also, Charmmy Kitty has a pet hamster named Sugar!

Part of the exhibit features special drawings and designs from notable artists that will eventually be available for purchase. My favorite? This submarine from Paul Frank. It took him approximately three months from start to finish and features wood, glass upholstery, vinyl, silk-screen, and thread. When I asked him how much it will sell for, he blew my mind. $16,000!

But it’s so cute! And I love me some Keroppi!

Is this not the most exquisite bag of candy you’ve ever seen? Designed by artist Jonathan Stein, it’s called “Yummy Gummy Kitty.” I want.

Waffles, pancakes, and Hello Kitty! I mean, are you kidding me? Osamu Watanabe designed “Sweet Kitty” to appeal to those of us who apparently can’t get enough of our favorite gal—carbohydrates.

Anyone need a bra?

I know what you’re thinking. So does everyone else. But Sanrio insists these are not Hello Kitty vibrators. Instead, they called them “massage wands,” which are designed to buzz away one’s troubles around the neck and shoulders. Um, sure.

Look closely at the undercarriage of the dress. The design, from Francis Libiran, was part of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 18.

This is what would happen if Hello Kitty met Jem and the Holograms.

In 2009, Lady Gaga celebrated Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary with this Hello Kitty dress, styled by GK Reid and shot by Markus + Indrani.

Hello Kitty Con runs from October 30 to November 2 in downtown Los Angeles. Click here for more info.

Can’t make it then? You’re in luck! If you want to see all the memorabilia from these photos in person, then you can visit the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo as part of Hello Kitty’s 40th anniversary. Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty runs from now until April 26, 2015, in Los Angeles.

You can also shop the Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary store here. There’s also a great hardcover book celebrating Hello Kitty’s 40th by paying tribute to her in story and art. It’s called Hello Kitty, Hello 40 and is available in stores now!

What does Hello Kitty mean to you? And will you be visiting the exhibit in Los Angeles?