Company

Sanrio

One World, Connecting Smiles“. It’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s the foundation of everything we do, and we’re proud to say we’ve been creating smiles for over 60 years.

Best known for global icon Hello Kitty, Sanrio offers a portfolio of more than 400 characters able to fulfil every need positioning and target-wise. Other characters include My Melody, Little Twin Stars, CharmmyKitty, Kerokerokeroppi,Bad Badtz-Maru, Chococat and the British icon Mr. Men and Little Miss. Sanrio designs, develops, distributes and licenses a unique collection of branded gifts, stationery and fashion accessory items while collaborating with the most respected companies in the world.

Sanrio GmbH


Sanrio GmbH is the European headquarter that coordinates the development of the EMEA Market. Sanrio GmbH began in 1980 with a small corner in department store in Germany and distributes products throughout East and West Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa.

Hamburg Office
Zwischen den Toren 9
21465 Wentorf bei Hamburg, Germany

Milan Office
Piazza Fontana 6,
20121 Milan, Italy

London Office
Unit 321 Parkshot House
Richmond Upon Thames
LONDON TW9 2PR, United Kingdom

Our Philosophy

"One World,
Connecting Smiles"

Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone’s faces with their vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles.”

HISTORY

Sanrio through the years

1960

August – As the first step towards building a Social Communication Business, Shintaro Tsuji establishes Yamanashi Silk Center Co., Ltd. with 1 million yen in capital.

1962

Sanrio’s first original character design, Strawberry, is produced.

1969

December – Sanrio Greetings Co., Ltd. is established.

1960s

1971

December – The first “Gift Gate” shop is opened in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

1973

April – The company is officially established under its new name, Sanrio Company Co., Ltd. Head office is moved to Gotanda, in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward.
June – The first Sanrio Salon restaurant is opened in Gotanda TOC building, Tokyo.
October – Sanrio Greetings Co., Ltd. is merged with Sanrio Co., Ltd. Film production activities commence.

1974

The characters Hello Kitty, Patty & Jimmy are created.
December – Sanrio Film Corporation of America (currently Sanrio, Inc.) is established in Hollywood, California.
 U.S. film production and distribution activities commence.

1975

March – Sales of the first Hello Kitty product (small coin purse) begin.
April – The monthly print publication ‘Strawberry News’ is launched.
August – Sanrio’s first step into the commercial film industry comes with the release of the animated feature Little Jumbo. The characters Little Twin Stars and My Melody are created.

1976

April – Character merchandise licensing begins.
May – Sanrio, Inc. is established in San Jose, California.

1978

April – The movie ‘Who Are the DeBolts?’ And ‘Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?’ wins an American Academy Award in the documentary feature category.
May – Sanrio launches its first 70mm animated feature, ‘Winds of Change’ (a.k.a. ‘Metamorphosis’), in the U.S.
July – The feature length film ‘Kitakitsune Monogatari’ (‘The Glacier Fox’) opens in domestic movie theaters.

1970s

1980

May – A branch office (currently Sanrio G.m.b.H.) is opened in Hamburg, Germany to coordinate development of the European market.

1982

April – Sanrio is listed on the second section of the Tokyo stock Exchange.

1984

January – Sanrio’s listing is moved to the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

1985

October – Sanrio’s first for-TV animated cartoon ‘Button Nose’ airs.

1987

January – Head office moves from Gotanda to Osaki, also in Shinagawa Ward.
 Sanrio Communication World Co., Ltd. (currently Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd.) is established as operating company for Sanrio Puroland.

1980s

1990

April – Sanrio Far East Co.,Ltd. is established.
December – Sanrio Puroland theme park opens in Tama City, Metropolitan Tokyo.

1991

April – Harmonyland theme park opens in Hijimachi, Oita Prefecture.

1994

May – Hello Kitty is appointed child goodwill envoy of UNICEF in Japan.

1990s

2001

September – The character Cinnamoroll is created.

2004

The character Sugarbunnies is created.

2008

May – Hello Kitty is appointed as the Tourism Ambassador for the Visit Japan campaign in China and Hong Kong by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

2009

July – Established Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd. for the amalgamated operation of theme parks.

2000s

2010

Sanrio celebrates its 50th Anniversary!

2011

Sanrio acquired the British company Mister Men Limited, widening its already huge portfolio of properties.

2013

The character Gudetama (‘Lazy Egg’) is created.

2014

Hello Kitty celebrates 40 years of success!

2015

Hello Kitty is the Official Ambassador of the Japanese Pavilion at the Milan Expo 2015.

2017

Hello Kitty Gang launches in Europe and Australia!
December – Hello Kitty is appointed Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism Development by the United Nations.
April – Sanrio announces its new character Aggressive Retsuko, also known as Aggretsuko.

2018

Aggretsuko hits the small screen with a global release on Netflix.

2019

Sanrio celebrates the 45thAnniversary of Hello Kitty.

2010s

2020

Sanrio will celebrate its 60thAnniversary!

2022

December – Hello Kitty and Gudeama hit the small screen with global releases on Amazon Kids+ and Netflix respectively.

2024

Sanrio celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Hello Kitty.

2020s