Yoshikitty
{{short description|Sanrio character based on rock musician Yoshiki}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| creator = Yuko Yamaguchi
| attractions = Sanrio Puroland
| title = Yoshikitty
| website = https://yoshikitty.shop/
| origin =
| years = 2009-present
| otherlabel1 = Based on
| otherdata1 = Yoshiki
| image = Character portrait of Yoshikitty.jpg
}}
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 of X Japan. 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.{{Cite web |title=Who Is Yoshikitty, Hello Kitty’s Edgy Look Alike? |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/hello-kitty-yoshikitty-yoshiki-sanrio-japan-icon/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Vice.com |language=en}}
History
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.{{Cite web |title=Yoshiki Debuts Official Hello Kitty Theme Song at Hello Kitty Con |url=http://yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/live/yoshiki-debuts-official-hello-kitty-theme-song-at-hello-kitty-con-061843229.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}} As Yoshiki worked on the song, their conversations inspired Yamaguchi to create an original design merging the character and the musician into "Yoshikitty".{{Cite web |last=Expo |first=Anime |date=2017-06-13 |title=We Are X: The X Japan Documentary Screening and Q&A with Yoshiki |url=https://www.anime-expo.org/2017/06/13/we-are-x-the-x-japan-documentary-screening-and-qa-with-yoshiki/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Anime Expo |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2009-08-02 |title=X JAPAN WORLD TOUR Live in TOKYO ~Continues the Attack~ |url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/67726-x-japan-world-tour-live-in-tokyo-continues-the-attack.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=JaME}} On October 2, 2009, Yoshikitty's second design was revealed at Hello Kitty's 35th Anniversary celebration in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000054468 |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=BARKS |language=ja}}
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.{{Citation |last= |first= |title=We Are X |date=2017-04-25 |url=https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-X-Blu-ray-Yoshiki/dp/B01N810KJQ |access-date=2023-03-19 |publisher=Magnolia Home Ent}} A life-size version of Yoshikitty regularly appears at the Sanrio Puroland theme park and on special television events to play piano or drums.{{Cite web |title=YOSHIKI、サンリオピューロランドからyoshikittyと生配信 |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000217228 |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=BARKS |language=ja}}
Design
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.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=Yoshikitty is back! This time in unicorn-colored accessories with the Pastel Moon Collection |url=https://soranews24.com/2022/05/20/yoshikitty-is-back-this-time-in-unicorn-colored-accessories-with-the-pastel-moon-collection/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=SoraNews24 -Japan News- |language=en-US}} 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
Yoshikitty has been the basis for over 500 products, including high fashion clothing, jewelry, and cosmetic items.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-11 |title=Yoshikitty – Inspired By Rock Star YOSHIKI – Will Compete With Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, And My Melody {{!}} POPJNEO |url=https://www.news.popjneo.com/news/2021/105467/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Neha Tandon |date=2019-10-21 |title=YoshiKitty celebrates 10 years of cuteness with a solid gold figurine |url=https://luxurylaunches.com/other_stuff/yoshikitty-celebrates-10-years-of-cuteness-with-a-solid-gold-figurine.php |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Luxurylaunches |language=en-US}}
International popularity
Yoshikitty has been nominated in the international Sanrio Character Ranking for eleven straight years (since 2015).{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=Yoshikitty Selected for 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking, for the 11th Consecutive Year |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2025-04-10/yoshikitty-selected-for-2025-sanrio-character-ranking-for-the-11th-consecutive-year/.223386 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}} Yoshikitty had been voted more popular than Hello Kitty and won the 3rd prize in the 2018 Sanrio Character Ranking.{{Cite web |title=FINAL RESULTS {{!}} The 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website |url=https://www.sanrio.co.jp/special/characterranking/2018/en/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=The 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-07-28 |title=Move over Hello Kitty, Yoshikitty pounces ahead to top three in Sanrio ranking |url=https://jrocknews.com/2018/07/move-hello-kitty-yoshikitty-ranks-top-three-sanrio-characters.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=JROCK NEWS |language=en-US}}
In global voting, Yoshikitty has been ranked #1 in Brazil, China, France, Germany, and Thailand.{{Cite web |title=2020 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website |url=https://www.sanrio.co.jp/special/characterranking/2020/en/result/world |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=2020 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website}}{{Cite web |title=Final Results｜2021 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website |url=https://www.sanrio.co.jp/special/characterranking/2021/en/result/world/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Final Results｜2021 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Website}}{{Cite web |title=Overseas Results l Results Announcement {{!}} 2022 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Site |url=https://www.sanrio.co.jp/special/characterranking/2022/en/result/world/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Final Results {{!}} 2022 Sanrio Character Ranking Official Site}}