Pompompurin, the Interim No. 1, Delivers Joyful "Pompom Yell" to Fans! Report on the "2026 Sanrio Character Award" Interim Ranking Announcement Event
Sanrio held an interim ranking announcement event for the "2026 Sanrio Character Award" at Ebisu Garden Place. Pompompurin, who was 2nd in the initial quick report, secured the 1st place in the interim ranking and performed a joyful dance for fans.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 02:13
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 17:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 19:31 (1h 59m after Collected)
Sanrio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomokuni Tsuji; hereinafter "Sanrio") held the interim ranking announcement for the "2026 Sanrio Character Award" as a real-world event where fans and characters could share joy, at Ebisu Garden Place Center Plaza on Tuesday, May 12.
Following the initial quick report announced on Tuesday, April 14, this interim ranking announcement is the final one during the voting period, which lasts until Sunday, May 24. While interim rankings were previously announced on the official X account (@sanrio_ranking) until last year, due to the significant attention it gathers annually, this year it was held as a hybrid event with both a real-world gathering and online streaming.
At the event, in line with this year's theme, "A Yell for Everyone Doing Their Best! Smiling Ovation!", the TOP 5 characters were announced as fans watched with cheering fans and pom-poms. The characters, whose names were called and who appeared on the red carpet, expressed their gratitude to the fans and walked the runway while responding to cheers. Pompompurin, who secured the interim 1st place, ran around the venue in delight, and the audience celebrated by waving pom-poms.
Furthermore, 11 characters, including the TOP 5 (Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, Kuromi, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Hangyodon, Hanamaruobake, Usahana, Gudetama, Bonbonribbon), performed a dance to Pompompurin's hit song "Pompom Beat of Purin and Muffin☆", which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year! A grand parade was also showcased.
Interim Ranking Announcement with Fans! Pompompurin Takes 1st Place, Rising from 2nd in the Initial Quick Report!
The event began with the announcement of interim rankings up to 6th place on the official X account (@sanrio_ranking), drawing attention to the TOP 5. As the interim rankings were announced from 5th place upwards, each character expressed their gratitude for the support in their own words. Pompompurin, who rose from 2nd in the initial quick report to 1st in the interim ranking, sent a message of thanks to fans, saying, "Everyone~ Thank you so much for all your cheers! I'm so happy~. I'll send you a Pompom Yell! Pompom~♪" Furthermore, together with Cinnamoroll (2nd), Pochacco (3rd), Kuromi (4th), and Hello Kitty (5th), he encouraged fans to "work hard together until the end."
Interim 1st Place: Pompompurin
"2026 Sanrio Character Award" Voting Website: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp
Interim Ranking Announcement Results: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp/report_middleday/
Voting Period: April 9, 2026 (Thu) 11:00 ~ May 24, 2026 (Sun) 23:59
Results Announcement: June 28, 2026 (Sun) 13:00
Interim 2nd Place: Cinnamoroll, Interim 3rd Place: Pochacco
Interim 4th Place: Kuromi, Interim 5th Place: Hello Kitty
Dance Performance by 11 Characters! The Venue Reaches Peak Excitement with "Pompom Beat of Purin and Muffin☆"
During the dance performance held after the interim ranking announcement, 11 characters, including the TOP 5, performed Pompompurin's hit song "Pompom Beat of Purin and Muffin☆", which was 1st last year and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In line with this year's theme, fans cheered with fans and pom-poms, creating a moment filled with smiles.
The Event Concludes with a Grand Parade! Characters and Fans Exchange Feelings Towards the Final Sprint!
To conclude the event, the appearing characters held a grand parade around the venue. Fans cheered, and the characters waved back in response, creating a sense of unity where they supported and praised each other. It was a heartwarming finale where fans and characters exchanged feelings towards the final results announcement. The final results of the "2026 Sanrio Character Award" will be announced on June 28 (Sunday) at the "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" to be held at Pacifico Yokohama.
Previously Released Reference Information: "2026 Sanrio Character Award" Overview
The "Sanrio Character Award," which started in 1986 in Sanrio's company magazine "Monthly Ichigo Shinbun," is a popularity poll event where selected characters from over 450 Sanrio characters enter, and their rankings are determined by the number of votes. This year, 90 characters entered. The final results will be announced on Day 2 of the stage at "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" to be held at Pacifico Yokohama on June 28 (Sunday).
Following the initial quick report announced on Tuesday, April 14, this interim ranking announcement is the final one during the voting period, which lasts until Sunday, May 24. While interim rankings were previously announced on the official X account (@sanrio_ranking) until last year, due to the significant attention it gathers annually, this year it was held as a hybrid event with both a real-world gathering and online streaming.
At the event, in line with this year's theme, "A Yell for Everyone Doing Their Best! Smiling Ovation!", the TOP 5 characters were announced as fans watched with cheering fans and pom-poms. The characters, whose names were called and who appeared on the red carpet, expressed their gratitude to the fans and walked the runway while responding to cheers. Pompompurin, who secured the interim 1st place, ran around the venue in delight, and the audience celebrated by waving pom-poms.
Furthermore, 11 characters, including the TOP 5 (Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, Kuromi, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Hangyodon, Hanamaruobake, Usahana, Gudetama, Bonbonribbon), performed a dance to Pompompurin's hit song "Pompom Beat of Purin and Muffin☆", which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year! A grand parade was also showcased.
Interim Ranking Announcement with Fans! Pompompurin Takes 1st Place, Rising from 2nd in the Initial Quick Report!
The event began with the announcement of interim rankings up to 6th place on the official X account (@sanrio_ranking), drawing attention to the TOP 5. As the interim rankings were announced from 5th place upwards, each character expressed their gratitude for the support in their own words. Pompompurin, who rose from 2nd in the initial quick report to 1st in the interim ranking, sent a message of thanks to fans, saying, "Everyone~ Thank you so much for all your cheers! I'm so happy~. I'll send you a Pompom Yell! Pompom~♪" Furthermore, together with Cinnamoroll (2nd), Pochacco (3rd), Kuromi (4th), and Hello Kitty (5th), he encouraged fans to "work hard together until the end."
Interim 1st Place: Pompompurin
"2026 Sanrio Character Award" Voting Website: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp
Interim Ranking Announcement Results: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp/report_middleday/
Voting Period: April 9, 2026 (Thu) 11:00 ~ May 24, 2026 (Sun) 23:59
Results Announcement: June 28, 2026 (Sun) 13:00
Interim 2nd Place: Cinnamoroll, Interim 3rd Place: Pochacco
Interim 4th Place: Kuromi, Interim 5th Place: Hello Kitty
Dance Performance by 11 Characters! The Venue Reaches Peak Excitement with "Pompom Beat of Purin and Muffin☆"
During the dance performance held after the interim ranking announcement, 11 characters, including the TOP 5, performed Pompompurin's hit song "Pompom Beat of Purin and Muffin☆", which was 1st last year and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In line with this year's theme, fans cheered with fans and pom-poms, creating a moment filled with smiles.
The Event Concludes with a Grand Parade! Characters and Fans Exchange Feelings Towards the Final Sprint!
To conclude the event, the appearing characters held a grand parade around the venue. Fans cheered, and the characters waved back in response, creating a sense of unity where they supported and praised each other. It was a heartwarming finale where fans and characters exchanged feelings towards the final results announcement. The final results of the "2026 Sanrio Character Award" will be announced on June 28 (Sunday) at the "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" to be held at Pacifico Yokohama.
Previously Released Reference Information: "2026 Sanrio Character Award" Overview
The "Sanrio Character Award," which started in 1986 in Sanrio's company magazine "Monthly Ichigo Shinbun," is a popularity poll event where selected characters from over 450 Sanrio characters enter, and their rankings are determined by the number of votes. This year, 90 characters entered. The final results will be announced on Day 2 of the stage at "Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai" to be held at Pacifico Yokohama on June 28 (Sunday).