Kickoff Event for the 40th Annual Sanrio Character Awards Unveiled

2025 Sanrio Character Awards Kickoff Event

The Sanrio Company, located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, has marked the beginning of the 40th annual Sanrio Character Awards with a spectacular kickoff event. This beloved voting event celebrates the most popular Sanrio characters, coinciding with its 40th anniversary this year. The event featured special guests, including popular figures Holan Chiaki and Nozora, who brought fan-favorites Pochacco and Hello Kitty to life on stage.

Highlighted Guests and Their Stories

Holan Chiaki made a captivating entrance dressed as Pochacco, wearing a sailor-themed outfit that paid homage to the adorable character, while Nozora dazzled in a bright red dress reminiscent of Hello Kitty's signature bow. Both stars took turns sharing upbeat anecdotes, instantly warming the atmosphere. Chiaki fondly spoke of her childhood memory of winning a Pochacco wallet at a local festival near the Puroland theme park, a treasure she held dear. Meanwhile, Nozora highlighted her upbringing surrounded by Hello Kitty, thanks to her mother’s love for the character, sharing her excitement about capturing moments at last year's Hello Kitty exhibit.

Unveiling of Exciting Parades

Set to commence on April 11, the limited-time spring parade titled "Let's Chuchu - Spring Vitamin Time!" at Sanrio Puroland was showcased, featuring beloved characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll. This enchanting parade adds a festive flair to the kickoff event, energizing the audience.

Enthusiasm for the Future

Participants shared their aspirations related to this year's theme, "Jumping to the Future!". Holan, sporting her eye-catching blonde hair, expressed her desire to embrace change and try new challenges, while Nozora dreamed of collaborating on Hello Kitty merchandise one day. As the event featured guest appearances from Hello Kitty and My Melody, Nozora beamed, expressing how delightful it was to meet Hello Kitty once again. Holan also acknowledged the incredible impact of My Melody as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

A Fun Challenge for Participants

The excitement ramped up as Holan and Nozora engaged in a challenging tongue twister relay featuring the endearing characters from Sanrio. Taking center stage with their skills, Holan smoothly navigated through the tongue twisters while rallying the audience to support the charming characters around them. The light-hearted competition fostered an engaging spirit, especially as they successfully tackled complex challenge prompts, bringing smiles to everyone present.

Reflecting on 40 Years of History

The attendees were taken on a nostalgic journey through the event's history. Holan and Nozora reflected on notable characters such as Cinnamoroll, who achieved five consecutive awards, as well as Hello Kitty, who has a record-breaking twelve wins under its belt. Their deep appreciation for the success of these endearing characters added a special touch to the proceedings.

Kickoff Countdown to Voting

As the official voting period began, excitement filled the venue with Sanrio characters eagerly counting down to the voting start! Holan declared her support for Pochacco, while Nozora swiftly decided to vote for her lifelong favorite, Hello Kitty. This year, each character had an opportunity to encourage fans, furthering the connection between the characters and their supporters.

A Call to Action

In their closing statements, Holan and Nozora urged fans to exercise their voting rights. Holan passionately conveyed the significance of the Sanrio Character Awards, emphasizing how meaningful each vote is for the characters. Meanwhile, Nozora was keen to share the charm and joy these characters have brought into their lives. The energetic duo ended the event with a heartfelt reminder that voting would remain open until May 25.

In addition to the festivities, Sanrio merchandise related to the character awards was on display, showcasing various items for fans. As the day concluded, anticipation mounted for what will emerge as character fan favorites in this ongoing celebration of Sanrio’s legacy.

About the 2025 Sanrio Character Awards

The Sanrio Character Awards, which began in 1986, celebrate its 40th anniversary this year and invites fans to participate in the voting for their favorite characters from a pool of over 450. With over 57 million votes cast last year, the awards continue to garner significant attention yearly. The theme for this year's event highlights the character's journey and the smiles they bring around the world. Notably, the results for the awards will be announced during the SANRIO FES 2025 event at Pacifico Yokohama on June 29, marking the culmination of the voting period.

For those eager to participate, the voting is live at Sanrio Character Awards.