Yoshikitty
| Yoshikitty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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. 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]
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]
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]
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]
Yoshikitty has been nominated in the international Sanrio Character Ranking for nine straight years (since 2015). Yoshikitty was voted more popular than Hello Kitty in the 2018 Sanrio Character Ranking.[11][12]
In global voting, Yoshikitty has been ranked #1 in Brazil, China, France, Germany, and Thailand.[11][13][14][15]
References[edit]
- ^ "Who Is Yoshikitty, Hello Kitty's Edgy Look Alike?". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Yoshiki Debuts Official Hello Kitty Theme Song at Hello Kitty Con". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ Expo, Anime (2017-06-13). "We Are X: The X Japan Documentary Screening and Q&A with Yoshiki". Anime Expo. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "X JAPAN WORLD TOUR Live in TOKYO ~Continues the Attack~". JaME. 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "YOSHIKI、ハローキティ誕生35周年記念パーティーで新yoshikittyお披露目". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ We Are X, Magnolia Home Ent, 2017-04-25, retrieved 2023-03-19
- ^ "YOSHIKI、サンリオピューロランドからyoshikittyと生配信". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Yoshikitty is back! This time in unicorn-colored accessories with the Pastel Moon Collection". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Yoshikitty – Inspired By Rock Star YOSHIKI – Will Compete With Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, And My Melody | POPJNEO". 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ Sharma, Neha Tandon (2019-10-21). "YoshiKitty celebrates 10 years of cuteness with a solid gold figurine". Luxurylaunches. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ a b "FINAL RESULTS | The 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website". The 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Move over Hello Kitty, Yoshikitty pounces ahead to top three in Sanrio ranking". JROCK NEWS. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "2020 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website". 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Final Results｜2021 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website". Final Results｜2021 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Overseas Results l Results Announcement | 2022 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Site". Final Results | 2022 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Site. Retrieved 2023-03-19.