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Yoshikitty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yoshikitty
Created byYuko Yamaguchi
Years2009-present
Miscellaneous
Theme park attraction(s)Sanrio Puroland
Based onYoshiki
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Who Is Yoshikitty, Hello Kitty's Edgy Look Alike?". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  2. ^ "Yoshiki Debuts Official Hello Kitty Theme Song at Hello Kitty Con". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  3. ^ Expo, Anime (2017-06-13). "We Are X: The X Japan Documentary Screening and Q&A with Yoshiki". Anime Expo. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  4. ^ "X JAPAN WORLD TOUR Live in TOKYO ~Continues the Attack~". JaME. 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ We Are X, Magnolia Home Ent, 2017-04-25, retrieved 2023-03-19
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Yoshikitty is back! This time in unicorn-colored accessories with the Pastel Moon Collection". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  9. ^ "Yoshikitty – Inspired By Rock Star YOSHIKI – Will Compete With Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, And My Melody | POPJNEO". 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  10. ^ Sharma, Neha Tandon (2019-10-21). "YoshiKitty celebrates 10 years of cuteness with a solid gold figurine". Luxurylaunches. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  11. ^ a b "FINAL RESULTS | The 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website". The 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  12. ^ "Move over Hello Kitty, Yoshikitty pounces ahead to top three in Sanrio ranking". JROCK NEWS. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  13. ^ "2020 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website". 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  14. ^ "Final Results|2021 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website". Final Results|2021 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  15. ^ "Overseas Results l Results Announcement | 2022 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Site". Final Results | 2022 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Site. Retrieved 2023-03-19.