If you want to know everything about the Sanrio character ranking, you have come to the right place. Furthermore, Sanrio holds one of the most exciting annual popularity contests in the kawaii world. Moreover, in 2025, a record breaking 63 million votes were cast by fans from all around the globe. Therefore, in this complete guide, we cover all top 10 characters from the official Sanrio character ranking and everything you need to know about each one.
What is the Sanrio Character Ranking
The Sanrio character ranking is an official annual popularity contest that Sanrio holds every year. Furthermore, fans vote for their favorite character from a list of 90 participants. Moreover, the 2026 edition marks the 41st time Sanrio holds this beloved event. In addition, this year’s theme is “You All Try! We All Cheer! Smiling Ovation!” As a result, excitement builds every year as fans worldwide support their favorite characters passionately.
2025 Official Top 10 Results
The 2025 Sanrio character ranking made history with a record breaking 63,166,696 total votes. Furthermore, this was a 111 percent increase from the previous year. Moreover, Pompompurin surprised everyone by winning the top spot for the first time in nine years. Therefore, 2026 stands as the most exciting Sanrio character ranking in the event’s entire history.
| Rank | Character |
|---|---|
| 1st | Pompompurin |
| 2nd | Cinnamoroll |
| 3rd | Pochacco |
| 4th | Kuromi |
| 5th | Hello Kitty |
| 6th | My Melody |
| 7th | Hangyodon |
| 8th | Hanamaru Obake |
| 9th | Little Twin Stars |
| 10th | Tuxedosam |
Top 10 Sanrio Characters — Full Detail
1st Place — Pompompurin
Pompompurin won the 2025 Sanrio character ranking with 5,613,659 votes. Furthermore, Sanrio created him in 1996 as a cheerful Golden Retriever dog. Moreover, he wears a signature brown beret and loves relaxing in his cozy basket. In addition, this was his fourth overall victory and his first win in nine years. Therefore, fans worldwide celebrated his historic return to the top spot with enormous excitement.
2nd Place — Cinnamoroll
Cinnamoroll secured second place after holding the top spot for five consecutive years. Furthermore, he is a fluffy white puppy with large floppy ears and a cinnamon roll shaped tail. Moreover, he is shy but pure-hearted and always helps his friends. In addition, Cinnamoroll ranked in the top positions in 11 countries including the United States, Brazil, Italy, and Australia. Therefore, he remains one of the most internationally beloved characters in the entire Sanrio character ranking.
3rd Place — Pochacco
Pochacco came in third place, representing one of the most impressive comebacks in ranking history. Furthermore, Sanrio created him in 1989, making him one of their classic beloved characters. Moreover, he is a white dog with black floppy ears who loves basketball, soccer, and skateboarding. In addition, Pochacco ranked first in the Sanrio character ranking for five consecutive years from 1991 to 1995. As a result, his return to the top three proves that nostalgia plays a powerful role in fan voting.
4th Place — Kuromi
Kuromi ranked fourth and continues to grow more popular every year. Furthermore, Sanrio introduced her in 2005 through the anime Onegai My Melody as My Melody’s rival. Moreover, she is a white rabbit wearing a black jester’s hat with a pink skull on the front. In addition, she looks tough and rebellious on the outside but secretly loves reading romance novels and writing in her diary. Therefore, her unique mix of toughness and vulnerability makes her one of the most relatable characters in the Sanrio character ranking.
5th Place — Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty holds fifth place and remains the most globally recognized Sanrio character of all time. Furthermore, she is a cheerful kitten with a round face and her iconic red or pink bow. Moreover, she has no visible mouth, giving her a universal appeal that connects with fans across all cultures. In addition, Hello Kitty has fans on every single continent in the world. Therefore, she continues to represent the entire Sanrio brand as its most iconic and recognizable face worldwide.
6th Place — My Melody
My Melody ranked sixth and has maintained consistent popularity throughout many years. Furthermore, she is a sweet and gentle rabbit with long floppy ears and a soft red hood. Moreover, her birthday falls on January 18th and her best friends are Flat and My Sweet Piano. In addition, her most famous rivalry with Kuromi makes them one of the most iconic character pairs in all of Sanrio. Therefore, My Melody’s warmth and gentleness make her especially popular among younger fans and families around the world.
7th Place — Hangyodon
Hangyodon ranked seventh in the 2025 Sanrio character ranking and is one of Sanrio’s most nostalgic characters. Furthermore, Sanrio created Hangyodon in 1997 as a friendly fish-like creature with a cheerful and easygoing personality. Moreover, he is known for his wide smile and his love of making others happy around him. In addition, Hangyodon has enjoyed a strong revival in popularity among fans who grew up with classic Sanrio characters in the 1990s. Therefore, his seventh place finish shows that older Sanrio characters still hold a very special place in fans’ hearts today.
8th Place — Hanamaru Obake
Hanamaru Obake secured eighth place in the 2025 Sanrio character ranking. Furthermore, this character is a friendly and cheerful little ghost with an adorable round appearance. Moreover, the name Hanamaru means “gold star” in Japanese, reflecting the character’s positive and encouraging personality. In addition, Hanamaru Obake appeals strongly to fans who love cute and unusual character designs that stand out from the crowd. Therefore, reaching eighth place in such a competitive ranking proves that this character has built a genuinely loyal and enthusiastic fan community.
9th Place — Little Twin Stars
Little Twin Stars ranked ninth in the 2025 Sanrio character ranking. Furthermore, they are a pair of twin star siblings named Kiki and Lala who live on a cloud in outer space. Moreover, Kiki has blue hair while Lala has pink hair, and both share a birthday on December 24th. In addition, they represent dreams, wishes, and magical thinking in everything they do. Therefore, their whimsical and dreamlike world continues to attract fans who love soft, magical, and fantasy-inspired character designs in the Sanrio character ranking.
10th Place — Tuxedosam
Tuxedosam completed the top 10 of the 2025 Sanrio character ranking in tenth place. Furthermore, Sanrio created Tuxedosam as a charming penguin who always wears a smart bow tie. Moreover, he is known for his sophisticated and stylish personality that sets him apart from other Sanrio characters. In addition, Tuxedosam loves music and has a refined and elegant sense of fashion. Therefore, his consistent appearance in the top rankings shows that fans deeply appreciate his unique and classy charm within the Sanrio character ranking.
2026 Sanrio Character Ranking — What to Expect
The 2026 Sanrio character ranking is currently underway with 90 characters competing. Furthermore, this year also introduces 10 brand new characters called the Happilinafriends. Moreover, since 2026 marks Pompompurin’s 30th anniversary, many fans feel motivated to support him again this year. Therefore, follow the official Sanrio social media accounts for regular updates on how the voting is progressing in real time.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Sanrio character ranking celebrates creativity, cuteness, and community every single year. Furthermore, from Pompompurin’s historic 2025 victory to Tuxedosam’s stylish tenth place finish, every character in the top 10 carries a unique story and a deeply loyal fan base. Therefore, vote for your favorite character every day in the 2026 Sanrio character ranking — because every single vote truly counts!
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