Since Sanrio released the character Hello Kitty, it has developed a worldwide cult following. Initially the brand was meant for younger clients, and their doting parents. People love Hello Kitty regardless of how old or young they are. It may be the cuteness of the brand and the products that make it so popular. Who would have thought that a caricature of a cat's face with ribbon attached can become so popular. The brand contributes to Japan's reputation of creating simple but cute things.

Hello Kitty has her own world, in which she is a small girl with a bright disposition. She also has a great fashion sense. Hello Kitty was a certified hit in the USA, with celebrities using Sanrio products in public. Some wear bags, and others wear Hello Kitty jewelry.

Hello Kitty is a fashion diva without going over the top. The consistency of her image has been the key to her success. Hello Kitty became associated with freshness of spirit and childlike disposition. That the products are high quality may have contributed to the strength of the brand. Here are some of my favorite products from Hello Kitty...

1. Sticker items - From bumper stickers to stationeries, she has become an icon in the sticker industry. Girls of ages 8-12 collected the stickers. These stickers are not limited to stationeries, because there are also bumper stickers.

2. Clothes and accessories - The Hello Kitty logo can be found in tee shirts and other garments. Some come in sets, like school bags and school accessories.

3. Drinks - In 2010, Hello Kitty logo was placed on four wines being sold online. Because of this move, more people are able to appreciate the brand and the idea behind it.

4. Games - There are Hello Kitty games for all genres of gaming. Some of the titles include Hello Kitty: Big Dreams and Hello Kitty Online.

As a backgrounder, one may think of Hello Kitty as a digital counterpart of the maniki neko, which is a good luck charm among Japanese people. The Japanese bobtail cat depiction is a ceramic or metal creation which waves at people passing by the establishment.