Interim results of 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking: Dogs in the lead for top three spots

Every year, Sanrio announces its most popular characters based on the results of entries submitted by fans online through its website, by postcard, and through entry forms submitted at Sanrio shops.

The results are of keen interest to Sanrio fans, who excitedly wait to find out which character is the most popular. It goes without saying that this is also a great way for Sanrio to maintain its finger on the pulse of current trends and keep making content for their cute characters popular around the world.

Now the interim results of the 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking have been announced!

Year of the dogs?

Although 2020 is The Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac, it's looking like the Year of the Dog for Sanrio, with the top three spots in their popularity ranking going to Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Pochacco.

Here is the total list:

English translations are ours | © PR Times, Inc.

Other surprises are Hello Kitty, who won 1st place last year, only at 7th place in the interim ranking, and the dark horse, YOSHIKITTY who didn't even appear in the top 10 at the start, now ranking in 5th position. Will the dogs have their day? Will Cinnamoroll win the top spot for the third time? Will YOSHIKITTY continue to rise? And you can't rule out Hello Kitty just yet. The queen of the Sanrio kingdom may still have celebrity power to bring her back on top.

Interim winner comments

English translations are ours. You can read the original Japanese on their press release.

Cinnamoroll

I'm really grateful for all of you giving me so much support! Your feelings always encourage me. I'm spending time at home practicing my dancing and singing, and growing vegetables in my garden. I'm looking forward to the day I'll see you again, so let's keep our spirits up during this time!

Pompompurin

Thanks for your support! I'm sad I can't meet you all now, but your support is keeping me in high spirits! I'm spending my time eating snacks and doing what I love most, which is taking naps, so when I see you all again, I'll be even bigger. You can count on it! Please keep on cheering for me.

Pochacco

Thanks, everyone, for your support! I feel sad I can't meet you all now, but I'm looking forward to the day I'll be able to see your smiling faces! I'm trying not to eat too much banana ice cream so I don't get too chubby. Please support me in the second half of the race!

The 4th to 10th-ranked characters have also posted selfies and comments on the Sanrio Character Ranking's official Twitter account.

Cinnamoroll's musical debut

In other news, Cinnamoroll, the long-eared wonder pup, has just made a move which may increase his chances of winning the top spot for the third time: he has launched his musical career!

Now we know why he was practicing his dancing and singing...

He has his own website now, and you can even check out the music video for his debut single, 「ふれーふれーがんばれー！」(Hooray! Hooray! Keep it up!):

Your vote counts

What's that? You never knew about the ranking? You wanted to show your love for your favorite character? Don't fret, you can still get your chance. Votes are still being accepted until May 25th, Japan time.

Just visit the Sanrio Character Ranking website here, select the character you want to vote for and click on the pink voting banner beneath the character. You may see a screen where you are asked to input your sex, age, and place of residence (pick the final one if you don't live in Japan).