You’ve got to be kitten me! Hello Kitty not a cat, creators reveal

The world is a confusing place and a frequently scary one, and what’s needed now more than ever are stable sureties and cast-iron guarantees that we can fall back on in turbulent times.

We did not need this.

In honour of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary - which officially occurs on 1 November - the character’s flagship company Sanrio has dropped a bombshell that’s leaving everyone purr-plexed.

The popular cartoon character, created by Yuko Shimizu, is apparently not a cat at all.  

“Hello Kitty is not a cat,” asserted Jill Koch, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management at Sanrio, on NBC's Today Show.  

Wait a meowment. If she’s not a cat, what is she?? 

“She’s actually a little girl born and raised in the suburbs of London,” continued Koch. “She has a mom and dad and a twin sister Mimmy - who is also her best friend.” 

Whiskers, cat ears, and called “Kitty”... But she’s not a cat.

Sure.

And no mouth to confirm or deny this news.

How convenient.  

It gets weirder, as Hello Kitty - who's actually named Kitty White - weighs “three apples and is five apples tall,” has her own cat named Charmmy Kitty, a boyfriend called Daniel, and hundreds of friends.  

"Her core message is friendship, kindness and inclusivity and part of what has helped her transcend borders, languages, cultures is that that's understandable to everyone," according to Koch. 

Cats transcend borders too. Just saying.

Created by Sanrio employee Yuko Shimizu in 1974, Hello Kitty first appeared on a children’s coin purse in 1975. In the subsequent decades, the wholesome character has become one of the most recognisable characters in pop culture, with toys, cartoons and clothing generating more than $80 billion to date for Sanrio – and even inspiring a con