or have sex using a Hello Kitty condom.) Sanrio, the company which owns the character, makes almost $4bn in sales annually. Kitty’s popularity is emblematic of the global craze for cute things.

A cute-a-bration has broken out among Hello Kitty fans, as the beloved Japanese character marks its 40th year. Since introducing Hello Kitty in 1974, the Sanrio company has turned simple design ...

Sanrio, the Japanese company that defined cute, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Its star, Hello Kitty, and more than 400 other cartoon characters continue to be popular with adults ...