Hello Kitty is not a company itself, but rather one of the most iconic and successful characters created by the Japanese company Sanrio. Founded in 1960 by Shintaro Tsuji, Sanrio specializes in designing, licensing, and manufacturing products centered around the "kawaii" (cute) aesthetic. Hello Kitty, or Kitty White as she is formally known, was designed by Yuko Shimizu in 1974 and first appeared on a coin purse. Her widespread appeal, often attributed to her simple, mouthless design that allows people to project their own emotions onto her, has led to a global merchandise empire encompassing everything from stationery and fashion to theme parks and even airplanes, making her Sanrio's most recognizable and valuable asset.