#Japan #Tokyo #Sanrio #Pom Pom Purin #Cinnamon Roll

Midterm Rankings of the 2026 Sanrio Character Awards Revealed

Sanrio, the iconic brand known for its delightful characters, has officially announced the midterm rankings for the 2026 Sanrio Character Awards. This popular voting event will ultimately determine the characters that resonate most with fans around the globe. The midterm results were shared after the voting concluded on May 24, and they reflect the votes cast from April 9 to May 6, 2026.

Top 3 Characters

Leading the pack is "Pom Pom Purin," who emerged as the midterm winner, marking this year as a significant celebration, being its 30th anniversary. This beloved character managed to comeback from the second place during the initial report. Closely following, in second place, is "Cinnamoroll," who held onto its spot from the previous year, and in third place is "Pochacco," who maintained its position as well.

In an exciting turn, "Ahiru no Pekkle," a character that made a strong showing in last year’s event after a long absence from the top ranks, secured the seventh spot without dropping in rank from its early announcements. Another character impressively climbing the ranks is "My Sweet Piano," which jumped from 18th place last year to the 13th spot this time.

Rankings Breakdown

Pom Pom Purin's popularity is evidently strong; not only did it reach the top within Japan, but it also ranked first in 11 countries and regions. This overseas recognition showcases its longstanding appeal beyond borders. Other characters like "Kuromi," "Hello Kitty," "My Melody," and "Little Twin Stars" have also made their presence felt within the top ranks...

Fans can view the midterm rankings of all the participating characters by logging into the Sanrio+ membership service on the voting website. The final results will be revealed on June 28, during the Sanrio Festival 2026 held in Minato Mirai, Yokohama.

Additional Insights

This year's character awards introduce a new dimension with the “Partner Category,” where characters from various companies and local governments unite with Sanrio characters. In the midterm rankings, the collaboration featuring "Shirotan," inspired by the seal character, topped the list.
The newly created “HappyLina Friends Division” has also gained attention, with every award category being dominated by the adorable chinchilla character named "Chocochira." The awards not only celebrate popularity but also foster a spirit of cooperation and joy among fans.

As we await the final results, characters continue to express gratitude towards their fans:

• - Pom Pom Purin shares, "Thank you for all the support! Let's make this anniversary year memorable together!"
• - Cinnamoroll expresses, "Your smiles empower me! Let's keep enjoying until the end!"
• - My Melody and others show their excitement, indicating a collective joy as voting proceeds.

Final Notes

The Sanrio Character Awards began in 1986 as a fun way for fans to engage with their favorite characters, an event now featuring over 90 characters competing for fan votes. This year’s theme is “A Cheer for Everyone Who Is Doing Their Best! Smiling Ovation!” which reflects Sanrio's commitment to evoking smiles and unity among its audience.

Fans interested in voting or following the event can access the voting site for more details and updates about their favorite characters. With the festive atmosphere surrounding the event, anticipation continues to grow as we approach the grand finale of the character awards.