My Melody: The Story of Sanrio’s Beloved Hooded Rabbit

Sanrio’s My Melody (マイメロディ, Mai Merodi) is a sweet white rabbit character famous for her signature red or pink hood. Since her debut in 1975, this kawaii (cute) bunny has charmed fans worldwide with her friendly personality, love of sweets, and strong circle of friends. My Melody is said to live in the magical forest of Mariland in the Sanrio universe. She is often shown as Hello Kitty’s best friend. She is one of Sanrio’s most famous characters and has been in a lot of toys, shows, and other products. This in-depth guide goes into great detail about My Melody’s backstory, personality, media appearances, and lasting popularity.

Some quick facts about My Melody

Species & Look: A white rabbit girl with long ears who always wears a bright hood (originally red, but later pink or other colors).
Debut: Sanrio introduced this character in 1975 as a Little Red Riding Hood–inspired character. That year, at the end of the year, she released her first products.
Birthday: January 18th (year not given).
Home: Forest of Mariland, a fun woodland town where she lives with her friends and family.
Character: Friendly, honest, and happy. Loves to bake and do crafts, and is always willing to help others.
Hobbies: She loves to bake cookies and cakes with her mom. Her favorite food is almond pound cake.
Best Friends: My Sweet Piano (a soft pink sheep), Flat (a quiet blue mouse), and Hello Kitty (who is often shown as her best friend).
Rival: Kuromi, a naughty character with a black jester hat. Their relationship changed from being rivals to being friends in a weird way.
Nicknames: “My Melo” (Mai Mero in Japanese), “Melo-chan,” and sometimes just “Mel.” These cute nicknames show how sweet she looks.
Popularity: She was the most popular character in Sanrio’s polls from 2010 to 2011 and is still one of the company’s most successful characters. She was Sanrio’s second most profitable character in 2019, after Hello Kitty.

 Where It Came From and How It Was Made

In the middle of the 1970s, Sanrio (the company that makes Hello Kitty) made My Melody. In her first idea, she was in a version of “Little Red Riding Hood,” which is why she wears a hood. Yasuko Matsumoto, a character designer for Sanrio, is responsible for bringing My Melody to life. Her first products came out at the end of 1975 and were aimed at young girls, just like Hello Kitty’s a year before.

In the story, My Melody’s grandmother made the hood for her with love. My Melody kept the hood as a special memory from then on. The design has mostly stayed the same over the years: a simple dress and the famous hood. The color of the hood, on the other hand, has changed. She wasn’t as popular in the late 1980s, but a 1996 fan survey (Sanrio’s Strawberry News magazine) put her at the top of the list. In response, Sanrio relaunched her classic look in 1997 with the original red hood, introduced a pink-hood edition in 1999, and by 2000 offered her hood in multiple colors. These fresh designs helped renew interest and showed that My Melody’s timeless cuteness could adapt to new fashions.

 Character and Personality

My Melody is known for her sweet and gentle nature. Official descriptions call her “honest” and “good-natured”. She is extremely caring and upbeat, embodying the innocent charms of kawaii characters. My Melody enjoys simple pleasures: she loves baking cookies and cakes with her mother, and she savors treats like her favorite almond pound cake. In fact, her official profile highlights that she often shares cake with her best friend, Flat. Baking and tea parties are a common theme in her stories.

Little hobbies and quirks also define her: she’s crafty, plays with friends, and is usually seen carrying a bag of sweets to share. Trivia fans note that her very name “My Melody” is a pun on the word “melody,” since she even sings cute songs in some cartoons. In the anime Onegai My Melody, she often exclaims “Yaaaan!” when startled or frightened — a cute catchphrase that became popular with fans (and even in mascot performances). Through it all, her core personality is kind, loving, and eager to make others happy. She represents the warmth and positivity that Sanrio fans adore.

 Family and Friends

My Melody comes from a loving bunny family in Mariland. She has a younger brother, Rhythm, who can be a bit rambunctious, but she cares for him dearly. Her mother (Mama) is gentle and enjoys doing crafts and baking cookies with her. Her father is portrayed as strong and kind. Her grandmother, as mentioned, made My Melody’s hood by hand. Even her grandfather loves adventures and encourages My Melody’s curiosity. Family activities often revolve around baking, gardening, and playing together.

Aside from family, My Melody has many animal friends in Mariland. Flat (also called Flatto) is a timid blue mouse who is My Melody’s best friend. They are often depicted eating cake together or embarking on little adventures. My Sweet Piano, a gentle pink sheep, is another close friend; they share a love of music and sweets. Because her personality is so inclusive, My Melody usually gets along with nearly everyone. For example, even Kuromi — who dresses in black and is My Melody’s official rival — is treated with kindness by My Melody. In the anime, Kuromi mischief often causes problems, but My Melody still remains friendly.

Perhaps most notably, My Melody is often paired with Hello Kitty. They are about one year apart in age and both originally depicted as British residents, which is why they became close friends. Many Sanrio stories and products show My Melody and Hello Kitty enjoying tea parties or adventures together. In fact, My Melody is frequently called Hello Kitty’s best friend (though this is an unofficial status). In the Sanrio community, they are considered the sweetest duo.

Friends & Family Highlights:

 Grandmother: Made My Melody’s signature hood.
 Brother: Rhythm, a playful younger brother.
 Best Mouse Friend: Flat (Flatto), a shy blue mouse.
 Best Sheep Friend: My Sweet Piano, a pink, dainty lamb.
 Rival/Frenemy: Kuromi, a tomboyish rabbit with a black jester hat.
 Best Human Friend: Hello Kitty, Sanrio’s icon, often seen with My Melody.

 Appearance and Style

My Melody’s design is defined by her cute simplicity. She is always seen wearing a hood (赤ずきん, literally “red cap”) tied at her chin. The hood covers her long rabbit ears and is usually bright red or pink. A bow or a flower is often added to one side of the hood for extra cuteness. Underneath the hood, she typically wears a simple dress or jumper, often color-coordinated with her hood. In the earliest cartoons she even had little white gloves. Overall her facial features are very minimalist: she has two small black dot-eyes, a yellow oval nose, and usually no drawn mouth (this style matches Hello Kitty’s classic expressionless look).

Her hood colors vary by era and product line. Originally red (to fit the Red Riding Hood motif), she began appearing in pink around the late 1990s and now can be found in almost every pastel shade on collectibles. Special editions have given her hoods with lace, bonnet styles, or even with eyelashes to denote her 40th anniversary. But no matter the variation, the hood always remains her most recognizable feature.

In early TV appearances (like Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater), My Melody’s design was almost identical except that she had a small pink nose and a decorative flower on her hood. In later shows and merchandise, the pink nose was dropped (her face became simpler, like Hello Kitty’s). Sometimes she is shown with a subtle blush.

Overall, My Melody’s style screams “kawaii” – soft curves, pastel colors, and sweet accessories. She often carries a small basket or bag, and is occasionally shown with baking utensils. Sanrio updates her look only subtly, preferring to keep her classic image while occasionally adding trendy touches (e.g. a bow on her neck or modern clothing in crossover collections). But the core hood-and-rabbit look is timeless.

 Media Appearances and Storylines

My Melody has appeared in many Sanrio TV shows, movies, and games, both solo and alongside other characters.

Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater (1987, USA): Her first animated debut was in this western Sanrio series. My Melody appears as a shy, honest friend in Hello Kitty’s acting troupe, often playing supporting roles in fairy-tale spoof episodes. In this series, she had a pink nose and a small flower on her hood, distinguishing her look a bit from later versions.

Hello Kitty’s Animation Theater (1989, Japan): In Japan, My Melody starred in short animated episodes of Sanrio’s own festivals. One early short, “My Melody no Akazukin,” gave her a speaking part in 1989. This was the first time Rei Sakuma voiced her in Japanese.

The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends (2010, USA/Japan): This CG-animated web series features My Melody as one of the main cast. She is portrayed as Hello Kitty’s best friend at school. Notably, in this show My Melody is drawn without a visible mouth (just like Hello Kitty). Kuromi does not appear in this series.

Onegai My Melody (おねがいマイメロディ) (2005–2008, Japan): This is My Melody’s own anime series, a major part of her storyline. Produced by Studio Comet, it aired for four seasons (52 episodes per season) starting April 3, 2005. The premise: My Melody lives in Mariland, and when Kuromi accidentally unleashes dark forces, My Melody must follow Kuromi into the human world to purify the chaos using her Melody Takt baton. The series was popular among young audiences; it had multiple theme songs, a movie, and crossover episodes (including appearances by Sanrio’s Jewelpet characters). My Melody’s friendly, optimistic nature was on full display here, along with her singing and magical abilities. (She often says her catchphrase “Yaaaan!” in the series.)

Video Games: My Melody has been the star of several games. The first was Onegai My Melody: Yume no Kuni no Daibouken for the Nintendo DS (2005), a side-scrolling adventure where players guide her through levels by jumping and using the DS microphone for special moves. In 2007, My Melody Angel Book ~~Denshitechou & Enjoy Game~~ for DS was released as an electronic diary/planner with My Melody-themed minigames. Additionally, she appears in some crossover games like Sanrio Characters Racing and as DLC items or villagers in games like Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome Amiibo (2016), where an Animal Crossing character named Chelsea wears a My Melody outfit.

Other Media: My Melody has made cameo appearances in Sanrio musicals, theme park shows, and commercials. She even had her own radio segment: in 2019 she starred in the Tokyo FM radio show “My Melo Therapy” (マイメロセラピー), giving advice to listeners. Advice collected from the show was published as a book in 2022. In recent years, she’s been included in streaming projects: she’s a central character in Hello Kitty and Friends: Supercute Adventures (2020 web series), voiced by Michelle Marie.

Voice Actresses: In Japan, veteran voice actress Rei Sakuma has portrayed My Melody since 1989. She gave My Melody a sweet, childlike voice for anime and audio dramas. In the English adaptations (and new web series), Michelle Marie is the current voice of My Melody.

 Merchandise, Collaborations, and Cultural Impact

My Melody’s sweet appeal has led to an enormous range of merchandise and collaborations around the world.

Toys and Collectibles: My Melody plush toys, figures, and dolls are sold widely. Notably, Mattel released a special My Melody Barbie doll in 2008, featuring a Barbie styled with My Melody’s bunny face on the dress and bunny-ear hairdo. Sanrio also produced two Pullip dolls of My Melody (in 2008 and a revised version in 2016) for collectors. Keychains, stationery sets, cosmetic items, home goods (like lamps, bedding, mugs), and more are made for all ages.

Clothing and Fashion: From children’s apparel to adult streetwear, My Melody appears on shirts, hoodies, and accessories. Collaborations with fashion brands are common – for example, she’s been featured on Crocs shoes and on denim lines. In Japan and Asia especially, My Melody-themed socks, bags, and even jewelry are popular.

Special Collaborations: Sanrio often teams My Melody with other popular franchises. In 2017, there was a Sailor Moon x My Melody crossover collection (clothes, accessories with both characters). At Sanrio Puroland (the Sanrio theme park), My Melody appears in parade floats and character meet-and-greets. She had a special indoor ride called “My Melody Drive” opened in 2014 at Puroland, where visitors travel through scenes of Mariland and meet her and friends, with Kuromi playfully trying to mess things up.

Anniversary Celebrations: Sanrio marks character birthdays and anniversaries with new items. For My Melody’s 40th anniversary in 2014, they released limited-edition goods giving her hood new shapes (flowers, bonnets) and even adding eyelashes to her design. In 2025 (her 50th anniversary), Sanrio introduced the catchphrase “Melly-melly” for her Western marketing, along with a special birthday song.

Popularity and Sales: My Melody is consistently one of Sanrio’s highest-selling characters. Although she’s often overshadowed globally by Hello Kitty, she remains a superstar in Asia and among kawaii fans. For example, in Sanrio’s annual character popularity rankings, My Melody was voted #1 in both 2010 and 2011. Even in 2019 she was ranked as Sanrio’s second most profitable character (only Hello Kitty was ahead of her). Media coverage like The New York Times has noted that My Melody is moderately successful internationally, praising her steady appeal if not claiming global domination.

Cultural Impact: Beyond products, My Melody has a loyal fan community. She appears in fan art, social media memes, and independent comics. Sanrio-themed cafes and pop-up events often feature My Melody decorations. In Japan, character cafes or restaurants may serve My Melody-themed sweets or lattes. She’s even been used in educational materials or children’s books due to her wholesome image. Globally, My Melody embodies the values of friendship and happiness that Sanrio champions.

Popular Culture Note: My Melody and Hello Kitty are occasionally considered mascots of Japan’s kawaii culture. For instance, they’ve been ambassadors to city events or charity campaigns. My Melody’s friendly image (often depicted sewing, baking, or playing) makes her a subtle symbol of caring and kindness in Japanese pop culture.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of animal is My Melody?
A. My Melody is a white rabbit. She has long floppy ears (always covered by her hood) and a little bunny tail. Sanrio’s official profiles and all her artwork depict her as a rabbit character.

Q: Why does My Melody wear a hood?
A. When Sanrio created her, My Melody was inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. In her debut story, she actually played Red Riding Hood, so she wears a red (or pink) hood over her ears. The hood also has a backstory: My Melody’s grandmother knitted it for her, and it became her treasured accessory. Over time the hood became a permanent part of her design, symbolizing her fairy-tale origins.

Q: What are My Melody’s nicknames?
A: Fans and characters often shorten “My Melody” to “My Melo” (Mai Mero in Japanese) or “Melo-chan.”Other casual nicknames like “Mel” might be used. These nicknames are meant to be cute and affectionate. For example, in the Onegai My Melody anime, Kuromi sometimes calls her “My Mel”.

Q: How old is My Melody?
A: My Melody was introduced in 1975, so if she were a real person she’d be quite old. However, Sanrio characters are essentially ageless. In all her stories and shows, My Melody remains a young girl (or bunny child) regardless of real-world time. Sanrio often refreshes characters to stay relevant, but their core ages don’t really change. Fans celebrate her as a “classic” character over 45 years old, while the character herself stays eternally youthful.

Q: When is My Melody’s birthday?
A: Her birthday is January 18th. (Note: Sanrio usually lists only the month and day for characters, not the birth year.) Many fans and Sanrio stores celebrate January 18 by featuring My Melody-themed promotions or events.

Q: Who created My Melody?
A: My Melody was created by Sanrio, the Japanese company famous for Hello Kitty and hundreds of other characters. She debuted in 1975 as part of Sanrio’s lineup of cute characters. According to Sanrio lore and fan resources, she was designed by artist Yasuko Matsumoto. Sanrio’s founder Shintaro Tsuji and his team oversaw her character development.

Q: Who are My Melody’s family and friends?
A: In her story, My Melody lives with her mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, and younger brother Rhythm in Mariland. Flat, a small blue mouse, is her best friend and almost like family. My Sweet Piano (the pink sheep) and Hello Kitty are also very close friends. My Melody’s personality is so friendly that she gets along with most characters. Even her “rival” Kuromi (who causes her trouble) ends up being a sort-of friend in later stories.

Q: Who is My Melody’s rival?
A: Kuromi is generally considered My Melody’s rival or frenemy. Kuromi is another Sanrio character who debuted in the Onegai My Melody anime (2005) wearing a black jester hat. Originally portrayed as My Melody’s doppelgänger and troublemaker, Kuromi often tries to steal the spotlight or create mischief. Despite this, My Melody stays kind toward her. In fan lingo, they’re often called a “frenemy duo.”

Q: What TV shows and games feature My Melody?
A: She has appeared in several cartoon series and games:

Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater (1987, USA) – My Melody’s TV debut, a Western cartoon with Sanrio characters.
Hello Kitty’s Animation Theater (1989, Japan) – short episode appearances.
The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends (2010, USA/Japan) – a CG web series where she is Hello Kitty’s best friend.
Onegai My Melody (2005–2008, Japan) – her own anime series (4 seasons) about her adventures in the human world.
Nintendo DS games (Onegai My Melody 2005, My Melody Angel Book 2007).
Other appearances in Sanrio crossover games (e.g. Sanrio Puzzle, Animal Crossing: New Leaf Amiibo content).
She is also in the 2020 Netflix series Hello Kitty and Friends: Supercute Adventures (as a voiced character).
These are just highlights – My Melody shows up in specials, music videos, and web shorts too.

Q: What is My Melody’s favorite food?
A: Her favorite treat is almond pound cake. She loves baking, and almond pound cake is explicitly listed as her favorite food in official Sanrio profiles. In cartoons and merchandise, you’ll often see her enjoying cake or cookies (usually baked with her mother).

Q: How popular is My Melody?
A: Very! While Hello Kitty remains the No.1 Sanrio star globally, My Melody is consistently among the top. Sanrio’s internal character polls ranked her #1 in 2010 and 2011. In fact, her merchandise sales have kept her as Sanrio’s second-best-selling character (especially by 2019). She has a huge following in Japan, China, and among kawaii fans worldwide. The New York Times once remarked she was “moderately successful” in popularity – a modest way of saying she’s very popular, just not quite on Hello Kitty’s monumental level.

Q: Why is My Melody so beloved?
A: Fans love My Melody for her sweet, gentle personality and her iconic design. She represents kindness, friendship, and simple happiness. Her stories focus on cute adventures, baking, and caring for others, which many find heartwarming. Because she’s one of Sanrio’s original characters, she also carries nostalgia for older fans. Her image has been kept very consistent (always girl-next-door style), so people know exactly what to love about her. Also, her long friendship with Hello Kitty and crossover events keep her relevant. In short, she embodies the classic kawaii spirit in a way that resonates across generations.

Q: Does My Melody have a catchphrase?
A: Traditionally she didn’t have a standard catchphrase like some anime heroes. However, for her 50th anniversary in 2025, Sanrio introduced “Melly-melly” as a cheerful slogan for her. It’s used in new videos and songs to give her an extra bit of personality in marketing. Fans often recall her exclamation “Yaaaan!” from the Onegai My Melody anime, which she says when surprised.

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 Sanrio Character Rankings (1986 to 2024)

In the 2013 Sanrio Character Ranking, if My Melody gets first place, she will spread flowers in Tohoku. However, she failed to win that year, only being missed by Hello Kitty in 2nd place. Throughout the decades since its creation in 1986, although My Melody didn’t rank the top 10 in the 1980s due to her overall declining at the time, she became a significant contender since the late 1990s, and officially won three times so far, in 2010, 2011, and 2014. Noticeably, in 2022 to 2024, My Melody‘s competitor Kuromi managed to beat her rankings (as she reached 3rd place).

Decade (1986 to 1996)

1.1986: To be added,  2.1987: To be added,  3.1988: To be added,  4.1989: To be added,  5.1990: To be added,  6.1991: To be added,  7.1992: To be added,  8.1993: To be added,  9.1994: To be added,  10.1995: To be added,  11.1996: To be added

Decade (1997 to 2007)

12.1997: 5th place,  13.1998: 2nd place,  14.1999: 2nd place, 15.2000: 2nd place,  16.2001: 2nd place,  17.2002: 2nd place,  18.2003: 4th place,  19.2004: 4th place,  20.2005: 5th place,  21.2006: 4th place,  22.2007: 3rd place

Decade (2008 to 2018)

23.2008: 2nd place,  24.2009: 3rd place,  25.2010: 1st place,  26.2011: 1st place,  27.2012: 2nd place,  28.2013: 2nd place,  29.2014: 1st place,  30.2015: 5th place,  31.2016: 3rd place,  32.2017: 3rd place,  33.2018: 5th place, 

Decade (2019 to 2024)

34.2019: 4th place,  35.2020: 4th place,  36.2021: 4th place,  37.2022: 5th place,  38.2023: 6th place,  39.2024: 6th place

Best Places To Find My Melody

1.My Melody Official:

is perfect for unique, handmade My Melody merchandise. From custom-designed clothing to one-of-a-kind artwork, My Melody Official (United States) connects you with independent creators offering exclusive items you won’t find elsewhere.

2.Sanrio Store:

The official Sanrio stores are the best places to find My Melody merchandise. Offering exclusive products like plush toys, accessories, and stationery, it’s a true haven for fans of the character.

3.Online stores:

online store offers a wide range of My Melody products, including plush toys, apparel, accessories, stationery, and limited-edition items, making it the ultimate destination for fans.

My Melody’s Global Popularity Ranking: Why She’s a Sanrio Superstar 🌸

My Melody, the adorable white rabbit with her iconic pink hood, has skyrocketed to become one of Sanrio’s top 5 most beloved characters worldwide (alongside Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin). Here’s why she dominates rankings:

1. Timeless Kawaii Appeal:

   • Ranked #2 in Sanrio’s 2023 Character Ranking (Japan), beating even Kuromi in some polls.

   • A 2024 global fan survey named her the “Most Huggable Character” due to her soft, pastel aesthetic.

2. Cross-Generational Fanbase:

   • My Melody resonates with Gen Z (thanks to pastelcore/VSCO trends) and millennials (nostalgia for 2000s Sanrio mania).

3. Collaboration Power:

   • Partnerships with brands like UNIQLO, ColourPop, and Loungefly keep her ranking high in Google Trends, especially during drops.

4. Google Search Dominance:

   • Monthly global searches: “My Melody plush” (50k+), “My Melody merch” (30k+), “My Melody backpack” (15k+).

   • Top related keywords: Kuromi, Sanrio aesthetic, kawaii gifts, pink anime characters.