Opening Event Held for "2026 Sanrio Character Award"
Sanrio held the opening event for the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," which marks its 41st year. Special guests Shunta Sono and Jinto Yoshida from the 5-member dance vocal group M!LK appeared, offering cheers to the characters and performing a dance.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 01:19
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Sanrio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomokuni Tsuji), held the opening event for the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," a popular character voting event celebrating its 41st year.
As special guests, Shunta Sono, a fan of Kuromi, and Jinto Yoshida, a fan of Cinnamoroll, from the 5-member dance vocal group M!LK appeared. At the event, in line with this year's Sanrio Character Award theme, "Cheers to everyone doing their best! Smiling Ovation!", they delivered "cheers" to people embarking on new stages of life alongside Sanrio characters. Furthermore, they performed a dream dance collaboration to M!LK's hit song "Bakuretsu Aishiteru." Regarding the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," for which voting began on the same day, they called out, "Please cast your votes with feelings of support for the characters."
## If they were to be compared to characters, Yoshida is Bad Badtz-Maru, and Sono is Keroppi! Kuromi also exclaimed, "So wonderful it's devastating!" at their close relationship.
The two appeared on stage wearing outfits incorporating their member colors: Sono in red to celebrate the opening, and Yoshida in yellow, inspired by Pompompurin, last year's Sanrio Character Award winner. When asked about their favorite Sanrio characters, they showed their mascots on their chests, with Sono answering Kuromi and Yoshida answering Cinnamoroll. Sono passionately commented, "Kuromi's mischievous side is cute. When I met her at a music show, she waved back and was shy, which really captured my heart. Kuromi, you're so cute it's devastating!" Yoshida said, "I love Cinnamoroll's relaxed atmosphere, plus his playful side shown on social media – overall, he's just cute!" Each expressed their love for their favorite characters. Afterwards, Hello Kitty and Kuromi appeared, and everyone high-fived. Sono was ecstatic to meet Kuromi, saying, "You're too cute!! I've wanted to meet you ever since our last collaboration!!" Yoshida revealed that he had previously collaborated with Hello Kitty and smiled at their reunion.
Later, while looking at a list of 90 characters entered in the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," when asked which Sanrio character they resembled, Sono commented that Yoshida reminded him of Bad Badtz-Maru, who was called 'President' in his childhood and whose dream is to become a president. "He might seem twisted at first glance, but he's actually hotter and kinder than anyone else, which is similar." On the other hand, Yoshida said of Sono, "He's always energetic and bright, like a vitamin. His love for travel is also similar to the adventurous Keroppi." In response to their exchange, which conveyed their personalities and close relationship, Kuromi, referencing M!LK's song "Suki Sugite Metsu!" (So Much Love It's Devastating!), commented, "Both of you are so wonderful it's devastating!" drawing laughter from the venue.
As special guests, Shunta Sono, a fan of Kuromi, and Jinto Yoshida, a fan of Cinnamoroll, from the 5-member dance vocal group M!LK appeared. At the event, in line with this year's Sanrio Character Award theme, "Cheers to everyone doing their best! Smiling Ovation!", they delivered "cheers" to people embarking on new stages of life alongside Sanrio characters. Furthermore, they performed a dream dance collaboration to M!LK's hit song "Bakuretsu Aishiteru." Regarding the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," for which voting began on the same day, they called out, "Please cast your votes with feelings of support for the characters."
## If they were to be compared to characters, Yoshida is Bad Badtz-Maru, and Sono is Keroppi! Kuromi also exclaimed, "So wonderful it's devastating!" at their close relationship.
The two appeared on stage wearing outfits incorporating their member colors: Sono in red to celebrate the opening, and Yoshida in yellow, inspired by Pompompurin, last year's Sanrio Character Award winner. When asked about their favorite Sanrio characters, they showed their mascots on their chests, with Sono answering Kuromi and Yoshida answering Cinnamoroll. Sono passionately commented, "Kuromi's mischievous side is cute. When I met her at a music show, she waved back and was shy, which really captured my heart. Kuromi, you're so cute it's devastating!" Yoshida said, "I love Cinnamoroll's relaxed atmosphere, plus his playful side shown on social media – overall, he's just cute!" Each expressed their love for their favorite characters. Afterwards, Hello Kitty and Kuromi appeared, and everyone high-fived. Sono was ecstatic to meet Kuromi, saying, "You're too cute!! I've wanted to meet you ever since our last collaboration!!" Yoshida revealed that he had previously collaborated with Hello Kitty and smiled at their reunion.
Later, while looking at a list of 90 characters entered in the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," when asked which Sanrio character they resembled, Sono commented that Yoshida reminded him of Bad Badtz-Maru, who was called 'President' in his childhood and whose dream is to become a president. "He might seem twisted at first glance, but he's actually hotter and kinder than anyone else, which is similar." On the other hand, Yoshida said of Sono, "He's always energetic and bright, like a vitamin. His love for travel is also similar to the adventurous Keroppi." In response to their exchange, which conveyed their personalities and close relationship, Kuromi, referencing M!LK's song "Suki Sugite Metsu!" (So Much Love It's Devastating!), commented, "Both of you are so wonderful it's devastating!" drawing laughter from the venue.