Sturgis, South Dakota and Hello Kitty: Difference between pages

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{{articleissues|cleanup=July 2008|self-published=July 2008|refimprove=January 2008|rewrite=January 2008|tone=August 2008}}
{{Infobox Settlement
{{nihongo|'''Hello Kitty'''|ハローキティ|Harō Kiti}}, full name {{nihongo|'''Kitty White'''|キティ・ホワイト|Kiti Howaito}},<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.excite.co.jp/News/bit/E1215736595745.html|title=サンリオキャラクターたちの本名、言えますか？|accessdate=2008-07-11|date=2008-07-11|language=Japanese}}</ref> is the best-known of many simply drawn [[fictional character]]s produced by the [[Japan]]ese company [[Sanrio]]. Hello Kitty is a friendly white kitty with the head larger than her body, small button eyes and nose, but no mouth.<ref name="Sanrio's Hula Kitty
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
heads to the beach">{{cite web |url=http://starbulletin.com/2003/05/18/business/story3.html |last=Paschal |first= |title=Sanrio's Hula Kitty heads to the beach |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]|date=2003-05-18 |accessdate=2008-08-21}}</ref>
<!-- Basic info ---------------->

|official_name = Sturgis, South Dakota
In 1974, [[Sanrio]] Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, introduced a Hello Kitty franchise. The first Hello Kitty item was a vinyl coin purse sold in Tokyo, according to Sanrio Inc.'s U.S. marketing director Bill Hensley. In 1976, the franchise was introduced into the U.S. The Hello Kitty line has developed under licensing arrangements worth more than $1 billion a year in sales.<ref>{{cite book|last=Segers|first=Rien T. |title=A New Japan for the Twenty-First Century|publisher=Routledge|date=2008|pages=127|isbn=9780415453110|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=03SAVAaiwn4C&pg=PA127&dq=sanrio+%22hello+kitty%22+sales+billion&lr=&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U1EB9MVsmtjEFnpnL6n3XlHtxHm0w}}</ref> Examples of products depicting the character include dolls, stickers and greeting cards to clothes, accessories, school supplies, dishes and home appliances.<ref name="Sanrio's Hula Kitty
|other_name =
heads to the beach" />
|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->

|nickname =
==Sanrio character line==
|settlement_type = [[City]]
{{Main article|List of Sanrio characters}}
|motto =
Hello Kitty's fictional world includes friends and family members. Hello Kitty is also friends with other famous Sanrio characters, such as Cinnamoroll, Chococat, Badtz Maru. Since 2004 she has had a pet cat called [[Charmmy Kitty]] and a pet hamster called Sugar. Charmmy resembles Hello Kitty but has more cat-like features. Charmmy Kitty was given to Hello Kitty by her papa, George White, Mama, Mary White, her twin sister, Mimmy, and her grandparents, Anthony and Margret White.
<!-- images and maps ----------->

|image_skyline =
When Hello Kitty's brother "Dear Fredward Lynn" was created in 1999, designers took his name from the 1971 film ''Melody'', which starred [[Mark Lester]] as a character called Matty Boy and features songs by the [[Bee Gees]].
|imagesize =

|image_caption =
==In media==
|image_flag =
===Television series===
|flag_size =
{{Infobox animanga/Header
|image_seal =
|seal_size =
| name = Hello Kitty
|image_shield =
| image =
|shield_size =
| caption =
|image_blank_emblem =
| ja_kanji =
|blank_emblem_type =
| ja_romaji =
|blank_emblem_size =
| genre = [[Children]]
}}
|image_map = Meade_County_South_Dakota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Sturgis_Highlighted.svg
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
|mapsize = 250px
| title = Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theatre
|map_caption = Location in [[Meade County, South Dakota|Meade County]] and the state of [[South Dakota]]
|image_map1 =
| director =
|mapsize1 =
| writer =
|map_caption1 =
| studio = [[DiC Entertainment]]
|image_dot_map =
| licensor = [[DiC Entertainment]]
|dot_mapsize =
| network = [[TV Tokyo]]
| network_en = {{flagicon|USA}} [[ABC Family|The Family Channel]]<br/>
|dot_map_caption =
{{flagicon}} [[Univision]]
|dot_x =
| network_other =
|dot_y =
| first = 1986
|pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
| last = 1986
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption =
| episodes =
| episode_list =
|pushpin_mapsize =
}}
<!-- Location ------------------>
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
| title = Hello Kitty and Friends
| director =
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[South Dakota]]
| writer =
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in South Dakota|County]]
| studio = [[Madhouse]]
| licensor =
|subdivision_name2 = [[Meade County, South Dakota|Meade]]
|subdivision_type3 =
| network = TV Tokyo
| network_en = {{flagicon|USA}} [[CBS]]<br/>
|subdivision_name3 =
{{flagicon|USA}} [[Toon Disney]]
|subdivision_type4 =
| network_other =
|subdivision_name4 =
| first = 1991
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes =
| last = ?
|government_type =
| episodes = 13
| episode_list =
|leader_title =
}}
|leader_name =
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
|leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1 =
| title = Hello Kitty's Paradise
|leader_title2 =
| director =
|leader_name2 =
| writer =
|leader_title3 =
| studio = [[Toei Animation]]
|leader_name3 =
| licensor =
|leader_title4 =
| network = TV Tokyo
| network_en ={{flagicon|USA}} Toon Disney
|leader_name4 =
| network_other =
|established_title = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date =
| first = 1993
| last = 1994
|established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2 =
| episodes = 16
| episode_list =
|established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3 =
<!-- Area --------------------->
|area_magnitude =
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 = 9.7
|area_land_km2 = 9.7
|area_water_km2 = 0
|area_total_sq_mi = 3.7
|area_land_sq_mi = 3.7
|area_water_sq_mi = 0
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|area_blank1_title =
|area_blank1_km2 =
|area_blank1_sq_mi =
<!-- Population ----------------------->
|population_as_of = 2000
|population_footnotes =
|population_note =
|population_total = 6442
|population_density_km2 = 664.1
|population_density_sq_mi = 1741.1
|population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_urban =
|population_density_urban_km2 =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi =
|population_blank1_title =
|population_blank1 =
|population_density_blank1_km2 =
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
<!-- General information --------------->
|timezone = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset = -7
|timezone_DST = MDT
|utc_offset_DST = -6
|latd = 44 |latm = 24 |lats = 37 |latNS = N
|longd = 103 |longm = 31 |longs = 7 |longEW = W
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m = 1043
|elevation_ft = 3422
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 57785
|area_code = [[Area code 605|605]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 46-62100{{GR|2}}
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1265387{{GR|3}}
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
'''Sturgis''' is a city in [[Meade County, South Dakota|Meade County]], [[South Dakota]], [[United States]]. The population was 6,442 at the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]]. It is the [[county seat]] of [[Meade County, South Dakota|Meade County]]{{GR|6}}.


Several Hello Kitty animated series targeted towards young children have been produced. In the animated films made by Sanrio from 1977 to 1985, Hello Kitty has made cameo appearances in them (similar to Disney's [[hidden Mickey]] techniques).
Sturgis is most famous for being the location of one of the largest annual motorcycle events in the world, which is held annually on the first full week of August. Motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world flock to this usually sleepy town during the [[Sturgis Motorcycle Rally]].


The earliest Hello Kitty animated series known was the American-animated (co-produced with Japan) ''Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theatre'', which aired throughout 1986. This show, produced by Sanrio in cooperation with [[DiC Entertainment]], parodies famous fairy tales and blockbuster movies from the period. It was broadcast in the United States on [[ABC Family|The Family Channel]], and a [[Spanish language|Spanish]]-dubbed version also aired Saturday mornings on [[Univision]].
== Points of interest ==
* [http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/NorthernHills/BearButte.htm Bear Butte State Park]
* [http://www.fortmeademuseum.org/welcome.htm Fort Meade Cavalry Museum]
* [http://www.sturgismuseum.com/ Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/blackhills.asp Black Hills National Cemetery]
* [http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/centennial_trail_brochure.pdf South Dakota Centennial Trail]
* [http://www.southdakotacaves.com/wonderland_cave.htm Wonderland Cave]
* [http://www.mt.blm.gov/sdfo/ftmeade/ftmeade.html Fort Meade Recreation Area and National Back Country Byway]
* St. Martin's Chapel
* Poker Alice House
* Annie Tallent Home
* Charles Nolin Monument
* Public Sculptures:
"Kinship" at the Sturgis Community Center, "General Samuel D. Sturgis" at the Hills and Plains Park at the east entrance to town, "Jesus in the Garden" at the First United Methodist Church Memorial Garden, "St. Francis of Assisi" at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and a new abstract sculpture in front of the Sturgis Public Library.


On [[United States|U.S.]] television, the Japanese anime series ''Hello Kitty and Friends'' aired on [[CBS]] in 1991, and also ran on [[Toon Disney]]. On the show, Kitty is a little girl living with her mother, father, and twin sister Mimmy, who is identical to Kitty but has different colored clothes and wears her bow under the opposite ear. 13 episodes were produced, using animation produced as early as 1991.
==Geography==


On [[Japanese television]], Hello Kitty (and her pals) have starred in an [[anime]] series. ''Hello Kitty's Paradise'' ran for 16 episodes between 1993 and 1994. This version was released in English in 2000. This version, like "Hello Kitty and Friends", also aired on Toon Disney.


Hello Kitty and friends also appeared in ''Hello Kitty's Animation Theatre'', which had Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters appearing in their versions of different fairy tales. Available in the U.S. from [[ADV Films]] (who also own the video/DVD rights to ''Hello Kitty and Friends'' & ''Hello Kitty's Paradise'')
Sturgis is located at {{coor dms|44|24|37|N|103|31|7|W|city}} (44.410322, -103.518486){{GR|1}}.


Hello Kitty will appear in a new Japanese clay-animated series called ''Hello Kitty's Stump Village'' from Sanrio. At Anime Expo 2006, [[Geneon Entertainment]] announced that ''Hello Kitty's Stump Village'' was one of the series it licensed for U.S. release. Volume 1 was released in October, and Volume 2 was released in January and in 2008. After Geneon withdrew from the US market at the end of 2007, it was later re-licensed by [[Funimation Entertainment]]. Hello Kitty appeared for the first time in a full 3D animation ''Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends'' developed by Sanrio's digital entertainment entity [[Sanrio Digital]].
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 9.7[[km²]] (3.7[[square mile|sq&nbsp;mi]]), all land.


===Online MMORPG===
Sturgis has been assigned the [[ZIP code]] 57785, and the [[FIPS place code]] 62100.
A planned Sanrio themed [[MMORPG]], [[Hello Kitty Online]], is currently in [[beta testing]]. The developers are SanrioDigital and Typhoon Games. After opening an account, one can create and customize a character. In addition to fighting monsters and socializing, one can mine for ores, farm, cook, and participate in other activities. Quests are a part of the game, being able to meet other Sanrio characters. Pets and housing have been implemented. Among the first to play the game have been hard-core [[World of Warcraft]] gamers. <ref>[http://www.thomascrampton.com/hong-kong/world-of-warcraft-yat-siu-hello-kitty-sanriotown-wow-mmorpg-outblaze// World of Warcraft invades Hello Kitty Online]</ref>


==Demographics==
==Reception==
UNICEF awarded Hello Kitty the exclusive title of ''UNICEF Special Friend of Children''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.sanriotown.com/kt_world:hellokitty.com/2007/03/23/unicef-special-friend-of-children/|date=March 23rd, 2007|title=UNICEF Special Friend of Children|publisher=Sanrio|accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040610b6.html|title=Hello Kitty marks 30th birthday |date=June 10, 2004|publisher=The Japan Times Online|accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref>


The brand rose to greater prominence during the late 1990s when several celebrities such as [[Mariah Carey]] adopted Hello Kitty as a fashion statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/top-cat-how-hello-kitty-conquered-the-world-831522.html|title= Top cat: how 'Hello Kitty' conquered the world|last=Walker|first=Esther |date=21 May 2008|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref> New products featuring the character can be found in many American [[department store]]s and Hello Kitty was once featured in an [[advertising]] campaign of the retail chain [[Target Stores|Target]].
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 6,442 people, 2,738 households, and 1,708 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,723.6 people per square mile (665.0/km²). There were 2,989 housing units at an average density of 799.7/sq&nbsp;mi (308.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.80% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.20% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.48% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.33% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.88% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.75% of the population.


[[Sanrio Puroland]] is the official theme park of Sanrio featuring Hello Kitty and her friends.
There were 2,738 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.


Since 2004 the little cat is on a [[MasterCard]] [[debit card]] from Legend Credit Inc. The card was released to teach young girls how to shop and use a debit card.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2959-2004Oct2.html|title=Girls Go From Hello Kitty To Hello Debit Card|last=Mayer|first=Caroline E.|date=October 3, 2004|publisher=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref>
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.


In 2008, Japan named Hello Kitty the ambassador of Japanese tourism in China and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24708771/|title=Hello Kitty named Japan tourism ambassador|date=May 19, 2008|publisher=[[MSNBC]]|accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref>
The median income for a household in the city was $30,253, and the median income for a family was $38,698. Males had a median income of $25,856 versus $18,582 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,763. About 11.0% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.


==Cold War==
==Cultural references==
As of August 2007, [[Thailand|Thai]] police officers who have committed minor transgressions such as showing up late or parking in the wrong place will be forced to wear Hello Kitty armbands for several days as penance.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6932801.stm BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Thai cops punished by Hello Kitty<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
As part of the vast [[Ellsworth Air Force Base]] complex, the land north of Sturgis was dotted with 50 [[LGM-30 Minuteman|Minuteman]] [[missile silo]]s, with the closest (L5) only 3.5 miles from the center of the town.


==References==
==References==
Line 167: Line 101:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Hello Kitty}}
*[http://www.sturgis-sd.gov/ City of Sturgis website]
{{Wikinews|Thai police to wear 'Hello Kitty' armbands as punishment}}
*[http://www.sturgis-sd.org/ Sturgis Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.sturgis.sd.us/ Sturgis, SD information website]
* [http://www.sanrio.com/ Official Hello Kitty website]
*[http://www.Sturgis.info/ Sturgis, SD Information Directory]
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|44.410322|-103.518486}}

{{Meade County, South Dakota}}
{{South Dakota}}


[[Category:Meade County, South Dakota]]
[[Category:1974 introductions]]
[[Category:Cities in South Dakota]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:County seats in South Dakota]]
[[Category:Anime series]]
[[Category:Black Hills]]
[[Category:Anime of 1986]]
[[Category:Rapid City metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Anime of 1991]]
[[Category:Anime of 1993]]
[[Category:Fictional cats]]
[[Category:Sanrio characters]]
[[Category:Toy brands]]


[[zh-min-nan:Hello Kitty]]
[[fr:Sturgis (Dakota du Sud)]]
[[bg:Хелоу Кити]]
[[it:Sturgis (Dakota del Sud)]]
[[ht:Sturgis, Dakota disid]]
[[ca:Hello Kitty]]
[[nl:Sturgis (South Dakota)]]
[[da:Hello Kitty]]
[[de:Hello Kitty]]
[[ja:スタージス (サウスダコタ州)]]
[[es:Hello Kitty]]
[[pt:Sturgis (Dacota do Sul)]]
[[fr:Hello Kitty]]
[[sk:Sturgis (Južná Dakota)]]
[[vo:Sturgis (South Dakota)]]
[[ko:헬로 키티]]
[[id:Hello Kitty]]
[[it:Hello Kitty]]
[[is:Hello Kitty]]
[[he:הלו קיטי]]
[[hu:Hello Kitty]]
[[ms:Hello Kitty]]
[[nl:Hello Kitty]]
[[ja:ハローキティ]]
[[no:Hello Kitty]]
[[pl:Hello Kitty]]
[[pt:Hello Kitty]]
[[ru:Hello Kitty]]
[[simple:Hello Kitty]]
[[fi:Hello Kitty]]
[[sv:Hello Kitty]]
[[tl:Hello Kitty]]
[[th:เฮลโล คิตตี้]]
[[zh:Hello Kitty]]

Revision as of 16:31, 10 October 2008

Hello Kitty (ハローキティ, Harō Kiti), full name Kitty White (キティ・ホワイト, Kiti Howaito),[1] is the best-known of many simply drawn fictional characters produced by the Japanese company Sanrio. Hello Kitty is a friendly white kitty with the head larger than her body, small button eyes and nose, but no mouth.[2]

In 1974, Sanrio Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, introduced a Hello Kitty franchise. The first Hello Kitty item was a vinyl coin purse sold in Tokyo, according to Sanrio Inc.'s U.S. marketing director Bill Hensley. In 1976, the franchise was introduced into the U.S. The Hello Kitty line has developed under licensing arrangements worth more than $1 billion a year in sales.[3] Examples of products depicting the character include dolls, stickers and greeting cards to clothes, accessories, school supplies, dishes and home appliances.[2]

Sanrio character line

Main article: List of Sanrio characters

Hello Kitty's fictional world includes friends and family members. Hello Kitty is also friends with other famous Sanrio characters, such as Cinnamoroll, Chococat, Badtz Maru. Since 2004 she has had a pet cat called Charmmy Kitty and a pet hamster called Sugar. Charmmy resembles Hello Kitty but has more cat-like features. Charmmy Kitty was given to Hello Kitty by her papa, George White, Mama, Mary White, her twin sister, Mimmy, and her grandparents, Anthony and Margret White.

When Hello Kitty's brother "Dear Fredward Lynn" was created in 1999, designers took his name from the 1971 film Melody, which starred Mark Lester as a character called Matty Boy and features songs by the Bee Gees.

In media

Television series

Hello Kitty
GenreChildren
Anime
Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theatre
StudioDiC Entertainment
Released 1986 – 1986
Anime
Hello Kitty and Friends
StudioMadhouse
Released 1991 –  ?
Anime
Hello Kitty's Paradise
StudioToei Animation
Released 1993 – 1994

Several Hello Kitty animated series targeted towards young children have been produced. In the animated films made by Sanrio from 1977 to 1985, Hello Kitty has made cameo appearances in them (similar to Disney's hidden Mickey techniques).

The earliest Hello Kitty animated series known was the American-animated (co-produced with Japan) Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theatre, which aired throughout 1986. This show, produced by Sanrio in cooperation with DiC Entertainment, parodies famous fairy tales and blockbuster movies from the period. It was broadcast in the United States on The Family Channel, and a Spanish-dubbed version also aired Saturday mornings on Univision.

On U.S. television, the Japanese anime series Hello Kitty and Friends aired on CBS in 1991, and also ran on Toon Disney. On the show, Kitty is a little girl living with her mother, father, and twin sister Mimmy, who is identical to Kitty but has different colored clothes and wears her bow under the opposite ear. 13 episodes were produced, using animation produced as early as 1991.

On Japanese television, Hello Kitty (and her pals) have starred in an anime series. Hello Kitty's Paradise ran for 16 episodes between 1993 and 1994. This version was released in English in 2000. This version, like "Hello Kitty and Friends", also aired on Toon Disney.

Hello Kitty and friends also appeared in Hello Kitty's Animation Theatre, which had Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters appearing in their versions of different fairy tales. Available in the U.S. from ADV Films (who also own the video/DVD rights to Hello Kitty and Friends & Hello Kitty's Paradise)

Hello Kitty will appear in a new Japanese clay-animated series called Hello Kitty's Stump Village from Sanrio. At Anime Expo 2006, Geneon Entertainment announced that Hello Kitty's Stump Village was one of the series it licensed for U.S. release. Volume 1 was released in October, and Volume 2 was released in January and in 2008. After Geneon withdrew from the US market at the end of 2007, it was later re-licensed by Funimation Entertainment. Hello Kitty appeared for the first time in a full 3D animation Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends developed by Sanrio's digital entertainment entity Sanrio Digital.

Online MMORPG

A planned Sanrio themed MMORPG, Hello Kitty Online, is currently in beta testing. The developers are SanrioDigital and Typhoon Games. After opening an account, one can create and customize a character. In addition to fighting monsters and socializing, one can mine for ores, farm, cook, and participate in other activities. Quests are a part of the game, being able to meet other Sanrio characters. Pets and housing have been implemented. Among the first to play the game have been hard-core World of Warcraft gamers. [4]

Reception

UNICEF awarded Hello Kitty the exclusive title of UNICEF Special Friend of Children.[5][6]

The brand rose to greater prominence during the late 1990s when several celebrities such as Mariah Carey adopted Hello Kitty as a fashion statement.[7] New products featuring the character can be found in many American department stores and Hello Kitty was once featured in an advertising campaign of the retail chain Target.

Sanrio Puroland is the official theme park of Sanrio featuring Hello Kitty and her friends.

Since 2004 the little cat is on a MasterCard debit card from Legend Credit Inc. The card was released to teach young girls how to shop and use a debit card.[8]

In 2008, Japan named Hello Kitty the ambassador of Japanese tourism in China and Hong Kong.[9]

Cultural references

As of August 2007, Thai police officers who have committed minor transgressions such as showing up late or parking in the wrong place will be forced to wear Hello Kitty armbands for several days as penance.[10]

References

  1. ^ "サンリオキャラクターたちの本名、言えますか？" (in Japanese). 2008-07-11. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  2. ^ a b Paschal (2003-05-18). "Sanrio's Hula Kitty heads to the beach". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  3. ^ Segers, Rien T. (2008). A New Japan for the Twenty-First Century. Routledge. p. 127. ISBN 9780415453110.
  4. ^ World of Warcraft invades Hello Kitty Online
  5. ^ "UNICEF Special Friend of Children". Sanrio. March 23rd, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Hello Kitty marks 30th birthday". The Japan Times Online. June 10, 2004. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  7. ^ Walker, Esther (21 May 2008). "Top cat: how 'Hello Kitty' conquered the world". The Independent. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  8. ^ Mayer, Caroline E. (October 3, 2004). "Girls Go From Hello Kitty To Hello Debit Card". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  9. ^ "Hello Kitty named Japan tourism ambassador". MSNBC. May 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  10. ^ BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Thai cops punished by Hello Kitty

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hello Kitty.
Wikinews has related news:
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