【Breaking News・Top 10】"2026 Sanrio Character Award"

© 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD. Copyright Sanrio Co., Ltd. Sanrio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomokuni Tsuji; hereinafter "Sanrio") announces the initial preliminary rankings for the "2026 Sanrio Character Award," a popular vote event for Sanrio characters, including the top 10 overall and the top 5 by country/region overseas. This is the highly anticipated first report leading up to the final results, which will be announced on Sunday, June 28th, at Pacifico Yokohama. These results are based on web votes cast from 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 9th, to 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 12th (including votes cast at Sanrio shops and specialty stores using voting cards). Cinnamoroll takes 1st place in the preliminary rankings, with other notable characters also appearing! Cinnamoroll is 1st in the initial preliminary rankings, starting strong again after placing 2nd in the 2025 final rankings. Pompompurin, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is 2nd, followed by Pochacco in 3rd, with the "Big 3 Dog Characters" ranking high. Ahiru no Pekkle, who entered the TOP 10 for the first time in 31 years last year, makes a strong start at 7th place! Cinnamoroll ranked 1st in the initial preliminary rankings. It had held the top spot for five consecutive years since 2020 but dropped to 2nd in last year's final results. Attention is now focused on whether it can reclaim the 1st position this year. Pompompurin, celebrating its 30th anniversary, ranked 2nd. Last year, it won 1st place for the first time in nine years, and further excitement is expected as it aims for consecutive victories. Following in 3rd place is Pochacco (2025 final ranking: 3rd). Sanrio's representative "Big 3 Dog Characters" all ranked high. Furthermore, perennial top-ranking characters such as Kuromi, Hello Kitty, and My Melody have also shown strong starts. Ahiru no Pekkle, who made it into the TOP 10 last year for the first time in 31 years, ranked 7th, showing great momentum. Little Twin Stars ranked 8th, Hanamaruobake, the mysterious ghost who gives a "hanamaru" (a perfect score mark) to "you" for your efforts (2025 final ranking: 12th), ranked 9th, and Bad Badtz-Maru (2025 final ranking: 11th) ranked 10th. All of them have had starts that draw attention to their future movements. The next interim rankings will be announced on Tuesday, May 12th, at 1:00 PM. This year's special "41st Special Award" goes to Littleforestfellow, who ranked 41st in the initial preliminary rankings! To commemorate the 41st "Sanrio Character Award," a "41st Special Award" has been established for the character ranking 41st. In the initial preliminary report, My Melody's male cousin, Littleforestfellow, ranked 41st. The character in 41st place will also be announced during the interim results. Initial Preliminary Ranking Page: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp/report_firstday/ Overseas Rankings (by Country/Region) Initial Preliminary TOP 5: Cinnamoroll ranked 1st in 7 out of 14 countries/regions! Cinnamoroll secured a provisional 1st place in 7 out of 14 countries and regions in the overseas rankings, demonstrating its global popularity. Please also pay attention to the activities of characters performing well in each country and region. "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" Special Site Now Open! Ticket Sales Information Also Released The "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" will be held for two days from Saturday, June 27th, to Sunday, June 28th, with the "2026 Sanrio Character Award" results announcement event taking place on Sunday, June 28th. Top-ranking characters will appear at the results announcement event. The special site, which opened today, provides information on the characters appearing on each stage, as well as admission tickets with reserved seating for stage viewing, which are required for entry to the main venue, Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Halls B, C, and D, and information on lottery applications for admission tickets. Event Name: Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai Dates: June 27th (Sat), 28th (Sun) 10:00 AM doors open, 6:00 PM closing *Some programs differ between DAY1 and DAY2. Venue: Main Venue: Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Halls B, C, D Kids Venue: Pacifico Yokohama Conference Center 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012 In addition, collaborative projects will be held at facilities around Minato Mirai Station. Details URL: https://fes.sanrio.co.jp Ticket Lottery Application: Admission tickets with reserved seating for stage viewing [Application Period] May 1st (Fri) 11:00 AM ~ May 10th (Sun) 4:00 PM Admission tickets [Application Period] May 22nd (Fri) 11:00 AM ~ June 1st (Mon) 4:00 PM *Sanrio+ membership registration (free) and date of birth registration are required. For admission tickets with reserved seating for stage viewing, "Ticket Pia" membership registration is also required. "2026 Sanrio Character Award" Commemorative Items Appearing One After Another These items will be sold in four phases at Sanrio shops nationwide, Sanrio corners in department stores, the Sanrio Online Shop, and other locations. Please see the website below for details. *Phase 1 has been on sale since Thursday, April 9th, and is very popular. ●Phase 2: Released on Wednesday, April 22nd Plush toys (37 items) 2,794 yen each Secret Pins (3 items, 24 types total) 880 yen each Plush toys with character logo printed ribbons and three-dimensional character pin badges that can be enjoyed as accessories on clothes or bags. https://www.sanrio.co.jp/news/goods/mx-character-ranking2026-02-202604/ Phase 2: Plush toys Phase 2: Secret Pins (3D pin badges) ●Phase 3: Released on Thursday, April 30th "I Want You to Love Me a Lot" Design Series Mascot Holders (8 items) 2,200 yen each Character-shaped Silicone Mini Pouches (8 items) 1,100 yen each Mini Tote Bags (8 items) 1,650 yen each Secret Sticker Set 660 yen This design series, themed "The feeling of wanting you to love Sanrio characters a lot," features sparkling, teary eyes and a pleading pose. Phase 3: "I Want You to Love Me a Lot" Design Series ●Phase 4: Released on Wednesday, May 13th Sanrio Coordinate Collection Series Mascot Holders (8 items) 2,596 yen each Character-shaped Appliqué Shoulder Bags (6 items) 4,400 yen each Secret Mascot Charms (1 item, 8 types total) 990 yen Sticker Set 550 yen Collect Book 1,100 yen Secret Card & Case (1 item, 8 types total) 946 yen This design series features characters in their own fashion, incorporating their favorite accessories in a stylish way. It's a lineup perfect for cheering on the Sanrio Character Award and appealing your love for your favorite character. Phase 4: Sanrio Coordinate Collection Series Details for Phase 3 and Phase 4 items will be released sequentially from late April onwards on the following website: https://www.sanrio.co.jp *All prices include tax. *Secret items cannot be chosen based on their contents. Reference Information Already Released: "2026 Sanrio Character Award" Overview The "Sanrio Character Award," which started in 1986 in Sanrio's corporate magazine "Monthly Ichigo Shimbun," is a popularity poll event where selected characters from over 450 Sanrio characters compete, and their rankings are determined by the number of votes. This year, 90 characters are entered. The final results will be announced on Sunday, June 28th, on the Day 2 stage of "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" at Pacifico Yokohama. This year's theme is "Cheers to everyone doing their best! Smiling Ovation!". "Smiling Ovation" is a coined word inspired by a standing ovation, embodying the desire for Sanrio characters and their fans to support and praise each other, bringing smiles to everyone. ・2026 Sanrio Character Award Voting Site: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp 2026 Sanrio Character Award Title: 2026 Sanrio Character Award Schedule: Voting Period: April 9th (Thu) 11:00 AM ~ May 24th (Sun) 11:59 PM "Sanrio+" Exclusive Announcement (Ranks 1-20): April 24th (Fri) 12:00 PM Interim Announcement (Ranks 1-20): May 12th (Tue) 1:00 PM *You can view all rankings (1-90) by logging in with "Sanrio+" on the voting site. Final Announcement (Ranks 1-90): June 28th (Sun) 1:00 PM *To be announced at "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai." Details to be released later. *Announcement times are subject to change. Participating Characters: 90 characters 2026 Sanrio Character Award Partner Division Title: 2026 Sanrio Character Award Partner Division Schedule: Voting Period: April 9th (Thu) 11:00 AM ~ May 24th (Sun) Interim Announcement (Ranks 1-3): May 12th (Tue) 1:00 PM Final Announcement (Ranks 1-15): June 28th (Sun) 1:00 PM *Web voting only *To be announced at "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai." Details to be released later. Participating Characters: 40 pairs 2026 Sanrio Character Award Happylina Friends Division Title: 2026 Sanrio Character Award Happylina Friends Division Award Types: "I Want to Be With You" Award, "I Want to Collect Many" Award, "I Want to See Your Story" Award Schedule: Voting Period: April 9th (Thu) 11:00 AM ~ May 24th (Sun) Interim Announcement (1st place for each award): May 12th (Tue) 1:00 PM Final Announcement (1st place for each award): June 28th (Sun) 1:00 PM *Web voting only *To be announced at "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai." Details to be released later. Participating Characters: 10 Happylina Friends characters Reference Information Already Released ■"2025 Sanrio Character Award" Final Rankings Total Votes: 63,166,966 votes (highest ever) Voting Period: April 10th (Thu) ~ May 25th (Sun), 2025 ■Past 1st Place Characters