Sanrio is a Japanese company founded in 1960 that has created a variety of kawaii (cute) characters over the years and many gift items featuring those characters. The most beloved and well-known character is Hello Kitty, but other popular favorites include Little Twin Stars, My Melody, Pochacco, Gudetama, Keroppi, Tuxedo Sam, Badtz-Maru, Chococat, and many more.
Sanrio products and characters are featured on plush toys, mini figures, purses and bags, grooming accessories, school and office supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks and stationery, and much more.
Sanrio characters are rotated in and out of production and many products are only available for a limited time. Because many Sanrio items are ephemera like stationery and stickers, which are used and thrown away, or contain small parts that are easily lost, vintage Sanrio products and newer items no longer in production are very collectible.