Since its establishment in 1960, Sanrio has created hundreds of different mascot characters. While some, like Hello Kitty, are globally known, instantly recognizable pop-culture icons, others have failed to break into the mainstream consciousness. However, in the world of Sanrio, the balance of power is constantly shifting, and it isn’t unusual to see a mascot suddenly go from unknown to beloved in the space of a few months. The most recent example is Pompompurin, as, despite being seen as a minor character in American fan circles, Pompompurin is enjoying a sudden resurgence, one that is seeing it battling for the top spot in this year’s Sanrio Character Ranking. But who is this character, and what do Sanrio fans need to know about them?
Pompompurin has a fascinating history. First introduced in 1996, Pompompurin was created as part of a Sanrio internal design contest aimed at designing a new dog-themed mascot. The winning designer drew inspiration from golden retrievers and similar dogs and created Pompompurin. But, due to the brown beret he wears on his head, he also resembles a caramel-sauce-topped Japanese custard pudding. This design choice is reflected in the character’s name, as, in Japanese, custard pudding is called Purn.
Everything We Know About Pompompurin
A Lot Has Been Confirmed About Pompompurin In Official Media
However, it should be noted that Pompompurin was not the character’s original name. When he was revealed in the July 1996 issue of Strawberry News (Sanrio’s monthly magazine that features news about the company as well as fiction and activities based on its roster of mascots), the character was called Boku Pudding, which literally translates to «I am Pudding,» a name that fits with Pompompurin’s milk pudding inspired design while calling back to the naming format used for characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody. However, this name was soon changed, leading to the yellow dog adopting the now-beloved Pompompurin name fans know and love today.
Within the Sanrio universe, Pompompurin’s birthday is April 16th, which makes him an Aries. He has four known family members, all of whom share Pompompurin’s round, dog-like body and yellow pudding-esque color palette. There is Dad, a dog with a top hat and glasses, who is said to enjoy solving mysteries. Mom wears a bonnet and a pink apron and works at a cake shop. Grandpa has white hair, a mustache, a brown waistcoat, and a cane. On top of this, Pompompurin has several friends (outside the main Hello Kitty cast). This group includes Tart the Rabbit, Custard the Bird, Mint the Frog, Macaron the Sheep, Vanilla the Bear, Coconut the Monkey, Syrup the Seagull, Cookie the Hamster, and their sibling, Bisque the Hamster.
Pompompurin is a very laid-back character, preferring to spend his time chilling out and eating rather than going on adventures like many of the Sanrio mascots. On top of this, Pompompurin is a big fan of eating, spending most of his time eating snacks and whatever sweet treats he can get his hands on. Because of this, he is one of the rounder mascots within the Hello Kitty universe. Plus, due to his laid-back nature, official Sanrio lore says that Pompompurin can make friends with anyone, something that many games and anime series featuring Pompompurin lean into.
Plus, befitting his dog-like nature, one of Pompompurin’s favorite places to be is his basket at the entrance hall of his sister-owner’s house. In another dog-like flourish, lots of Sanrio media note that Pompompurin’s favorite hobby is collecting shoes. However, rather than buying them from a store, he usually takes them from others, with lots of media noting that Pompompurin’s favorite shoes are his father’s leather shoes and his mother’s sandals, which he frequently steals and hides, much to his parents’ dismay.
On top of this, the various Pompompurin bios also confirm that Pompompurin’s favorite food is his Mama’s milk pudding. His skills include napping and performing purin aerobics (his own unique exercises), and his goal in life is to «get bigger.» This is all perfectly encapsulated by Pompompurin’s bio on Sanrio’s official site, which says:
«This boy golden retriever is unmistakable in his trademark brown beret. He has a laidback demeanor and loves the phrase ‘let’s go out!’ He loves milk, anything soft, and his Mama’s cream caramel puddings. He has a talent for napping and doing ‘purin aerobics’, and can make friends with anyone. His dream is to get even bigger.»
One of Pompompurin’s most infamous design details is his butt, which features a unique, star-like design. However, this design element, while often considered his charm point by many Japanese fans, isn’t a constant part of his design. Sanrio frequently omits the star mark depending on the specific merchandise and the country the product is aimed at, likely due to different standards of humor across nations.
It should be noted that this isn’t the first year Pompompurin has done well in the Sanrio Character Ranking. Pompompurin previously won the contest in 1997 (meaning he won the first year he was eligible for voting), 2015, and 2016. He was the runner-up in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He claimed the bronze medal in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2013, and 2019. However, even when he doesn’t get a podium finish, Pompompurin still ranks highly. In 2010, 2011, and 2014, he finished 4th. In 2002, 2003, and 2012, he finished in 5th. In 2004 and 2008, he finished in 8th place. Finally, in 2007 and 2009, Pompompurin ended the poll in 10th place. This means that, since his introduction, Pompompurin has only missed the top ten in two years: 2005 and 2006. This stunning feat makes Pompompurin one of the most consistent Sanrio mascots in the ranking, alongside big names like Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and My Melody.
Where To See More Of Pompompurin
Pompompurin Appears In A Lot Of Sanrio Media
Thankfully, Sanrio fans looking to enjoy more Pompompurin don’t have to worry, as the character’s immense popularity means he’s appeared in a wide variety of Sanrio media, sometimes in the central role and other times acting as a supporting character. Most notably, Pompompurin had a central role in two OVAs in the Hello Kitty’s Animation Theater series, being the title character in «The Tortoise and the Hare» and «The North Wind and the Sun.»
On top of this, Pompompurin would play a massive role in several Hello Kitty or Sanrio ensemble series. He was a main character in the 2005 claymation anime Hello Kitty: Stump Village, where he lived in the titular village alongside Badtz Maru, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and Hello Kitty. In this series, he was the source of many of the group’s wackier plans, most notably coming up with an idea for a nut-cracking seesaw in the very first episode. He’s also frequently seen in the Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures series, where he runs an ice cream store and serves tasty treats to his friends.
He’s also made appearances in several Sanrio video games, even receiving top billing in two titles. These are Shin Minna no Nurie Pompompurin (an interactive coloring book on the Nintendo 3DS) and Pompompurin: Korokoro Daibouken (a pinball game on the Nintendo 3DS). Pompompurin also appears in numerous Sanrio ensemble games, including Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue, Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams, Hello Kitty Seasons, Hello Kitty and Friends Happiness Parade, and Hello Kitty Island Adventure.
He’s also a regular fixture at Sanrio’s Puroland and Harmonyland theme parks. These parks have attractions themed after him, but the character is also the centerpiece of several shows and meet-and-greet activities, proving how popular the yellow pudding dog is. Naturally, this means that Pompompurin can be found on many Sanrio-branded products, including figures, clothing, furniture, stationery, beauty products, snacks, and (obviously) pudding.
It’s easy to see why Pompompurin is so popular. His cute but unique design makes him unmistakable and recognizable even when placed alongside other Sanrio mascots. Plus, his backstory and personality speak to everyone’s desire to eat as many yummy snacks and desserts as possible, even if they know they really shouldn’t, making him one of the most relatable Sanrio mascots.
Thus, it’s easy to see why he constantly ranks so highly in every character poll. His laid-back nature and love of food also help him remain ubiquitous within the Sanrio brand, as he’s one of the most effortless characters to include in games, anime series, or stage shows, as he can easily fit into any combination of mascot casts. Plus, his love of food can be used to justify his inclusion in any adventure. Because of this, it’s unlikely that Pompompurin will be vanishing from the Sanrio line-up anytime soon.
