Sanrio Co., Ltd.TYO: 8136 is a Japanesecompany that makes characters and sells and licenses products with images of characters. The things they make include stationery (pencils, pens writing, paper greeting cards, etc.), school supplies and gifts. Sanrio's mascot is Hello Kitty, a white cat with a red bow, yellow nose and no mouth. Hello Kitty is one of the most successful marketing brands in the world.
Sanrio products being advertised at a convention. The shape of Hello Kitty's head can be seen with the bow on her head
Sanrio was started by Shintaro Tsuji as the Yamanashi Silk Company in 1960. In 1973 the company changed its name to "Sanrio." The word Sanrio comes from "san" (meaning three in Japanese) and "río" (meaning river in Spanish"). He named the company Sanrio to join the three rivers of the world.
Besides selling character goods, Sanrio also takes part in movie production and publishing. Sanrio worked together with Sega Toys to make a series of cartoons, toys, and other products called Jewelpet. They make lots of greeting cards.
