With the first and mid-term results already announced, the final results of the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking are just around the corner. In the first update, Pompompurin claimed a tentative No.1 spot, while Hanamaru Obake showed a strong performance. In the mid-term update, Pompompurin held onto the lead, and Ahiru no Pekkle entered the Top 10—both topics gaining attention. While the top-ranked characters are familiar favorites, the real fun of the ranking lies beyond that. We spoke to a Sanrio representative about international standings and lesser-known trivia that could impact the final rankings.

Why Is Chococat So Popular in America?

ーChococat ranks high in the U.S.? We also noticed collaborations with TWICE and Myaku-Myaku. Can you tell us more about the overseas rankings from the first and mid-term results?

"Chococat is a black cat boy character who debuted in 1996. In the initial results, he ranked No.1 in both the U.S. and Brazil. By the mid-term update, he had even reached 20th place overall. In some countries and regions, black cats are considered lucky, so that may be part of his appeal. In general, characters with dark colors are quite popular in the U.S.—Kuromi and Bad Badtz-Maru are also well-loved."

Hangyodon Leads in Korea Thanks to Local Influencers

ーIn Korea, Hangyodon ranked No.1 in the first update and No.3 in the mid-term. What's driving that popularity?

"Hangyodon has really grown in popularity over the past few years. This year marks his 40th anniversary, so he’s enjoying a lot of momentum. It seems a well-known influencer in Korea is a fan of Hangyodon, which may be helping to boost his popularity."

Global Trends: Usahana and Ado Collab Character Also Gaining Attention

-So the popularity trends differ by region. Are there other key overseas points to note?

"While there haven’t been dramatic changes between the first and mid-term updates, Pompompurin’s surge and Usahana’s overseas popularity are worth watching. Also, Adorosa Tourmaline—a character created through a collaboration with singer Ado—is getting a lot of love from overseas fans."

Source : ORICON NEWS