Exciting Kickoff for the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking Event

The much-anticipated 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking event has kicked off, marking its 41st year of bringing joy and excitement to fans of beloved characters. Sanrio Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, found a perfect way to launch this year's popular voting event, which encourages fans to support their favorite characters. The opening ceremony was graced by special guests from the dynamic five-member dance vocal group M!LK — Shunta Sono, an avid supporter of Kuromi, and Hito Yoshida, who adores Cinnamoroll.

Under the event's theme, "Sending Cheer to Everyone Working Hard! Smiling Ovation!", the duo delivered heartfelt greetings alongside Sanrio characters to encourage those starting new chapters in their lives. They enthralled the audience with a dream-like dance collaboration to M!LK's hit song, "Bakuretsu Aishiteru", while calling on fans to participate in the voting, which commenced on the same day.

When asked to describe each other as characters, Yoshida likened himself to Bad Badtz-Maru, while Sono identified with Kerokerokeroppi. Their camaraderie was evident, prompting Kuromi to exclaim, "You guys are too wonderful!" Both guests arrived in costumes inspired by their favorite characters, with Sono in red to celebrate the kickoff, and Yoshida in yellow, reminiscent of last year's top character, Pompompurin.

Discussing their favorite Sanrio figures, Sono proudly showcased his Kuromi mascot, expressing how the character's devilish charm captivates him. "Kuromi's cute yet mischievous side grabbed my heart during our last encounter on a music show! She's irresistible!" he gushed. Yoshida, on the other hand, fondly spoke of Cinnamoroll, highlighting the character's laid-back demeanor and playful antics on social media, saying, "Cinnamoroll is overall just so cute!"

Their excitement only grew when Hello Kitty and Kuromi made their special appearance, leading to joyous high-fives that filled the venue with an infectious atmosphere. Sono could hardly contain his excitement with Kuromi, exclaiming, "Too adorable! I’ve been waiting to meet you again since our last collaboration!" Yoshida mentioned his past experience with Hello Kitty, radiating happiness at the reunion.

As they perused the list of 90 characters entered in the 2026 competition, Sono humorously likened Yoshida's childhood nickname of "President" to Bad Badtz-Maru, drawing parallels in their personalities, remarking on Yoshida's hidden warmth beneath a seemingly tough exterior. Yoshida reciprocated by comparing Sono to Kerokerokeroppi, praising his vibrant spirit and adventurous nature, saying he’s like a vital source of energy.

As the conversation unfolded, Kuromi chimed in, with a humorous nod to M!LK's lively song, "Suki Sugite Mute!" saying, "You both are just too fantastic!" highlighting the delightful chemistry between the two.

The 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking voting site, which is now live, welcomes fans to cast their votes until May 24, with the results to be announced on June 28 during the Sanrio Fest 2026 at Pacifico Yokohama.

Following a playful segment with the previous year's top three characters — Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Pochacco — the mood was elevated as Yoshida joyfully expressed his excitement at being alongside Cinnamoroll, exclaiming how adorable it all was.

Each character then invited Yoshida and Sono to join them in a dance performance of "Bakuretsu Aishiteru", expressing their desire to spread cheer through dance. As the music started, the crowd erupted in excitement, witnessing an energetic performance that perfectly showcased the essence of the Sanrio Character Ranking event.

Capturing the joyous atmosphere, Yoshida thanked the characters for their efforts in preparing for the dance, signifying that the day’s special collaboration was an overwhelming success.

In closing, both Sono and Yoshida passionately urged everyone to vote, expressing their gratitude for participating in the kickoff ceremony. "I’m overjoyed to be part of the opening event! I look forward to discovering all the unique personalities of Sanrio characters while enjoying the voting process!" Sono exclaimed, encapsulating the vibrant spirit of the opening day. Yoshida echoed this sentiment, expressing how surreal the experience felt, and encouraged fans to show their support for the characters, reminding everyone to join in the excitement of the ranking.

For more information, please visit the Sanrio Voting Site for the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking.

Voting Period: April 9, 2026 (Thursday) 11:00 AM to May 24, 2026 (Sunday) 11:59 PM
Results Announcement: June 28, 2026 (Sunday) 1:00 PM at Sanrio Fest 2026 in Minato Mirai.

The theme this year, "Sending Cheer to Everyone Working Hard! Smiling Ovation!", aims to foster supportive relationships between Sanrio characters and their fans, creating a joyful and celebratory environment that brings smiles all around.