This week’s Culture Club features Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, cutesy little kitty cat that is taking over the world!

Hello Kitty was introduced by Sanrio, Inc. in Japan in 1974. She was then brought stateside in the early 1980’s. Most children of the 80’s grew up with Hello Kitty, and her popularity has only been increasing over time. Sanrio has since created several of Hello Kitty’s friends, such as her boyfriend, Dear Daniel, the bad penguin Bad Badtz Maru, the loveable puppy Pochacco, and the spunk jumper Kero Kero Keroppi. While I was originally going to write about all of Sanrio’s characters, the Hello Kitty world itself is just too big to share a blog with anyone else.

Almost everyone from your neighbor to Paris Hilton are in love with Hello Kitty, but some not so much. The website, Kitty Hell, which is run by a man who’s wife is a Hello Kitty addict, has a pretty impressive collection of Hello Kitty items paired with a blog on why it’s unnecessary. I personally love Hello Kitty, and actually, found this site to be a great place to FIND Hello Kitty stuff!

Sanrio began producing products such as stuffed toys, stationary kits, and accessories, but have expanded over time to produce products for your home, clothing not only for children but adults, and much much more. Hello Kitty has even found herself on gadgets, cars and even airplanes!

Want to meet Hello Kitty herself? You can visit the Sanrio Puroland, a theme park located in Tokyo, Japan. In the meantime, let’s take a look into the world of Hello Kitty…

 Wearing HK

Fashion powerhouse Kimora Lee Simmons released a line of Hello Kitty jewelry in diamonds.

HK has gone mainstream. It’s not just for little girls anymore; HK releases prints that fit today modern fashions.

HK At Home

HK is quite popular for babies. My expectant friend showed me her newly decorated nursery decked out in HK!

Air purifier

Yes, a toaster! Complete with Hello Kitty infused toasting mechanisms!

That’s right, even a part of your lunchtime!

The Tech-Savvy HK

Released by NEC, HK laptop with Swarovski crystals

HK USB cordless mouse

Cellular Phone

One of many types of digital cameras

HK Gaming & Entertainment

HK Sega Dreamcast. I depsarately wanted this one, even though I had already owned a DC!

Although thought ot be a rumor, this HK Microsoft Xbox is the real deal! Very limited quantities of 500 were produced.

Sadly enough, no Sony consoles were found, just accessories like skins and these PS2 memory cards.

The official HK Stratosphere guitars

HK On The Go

HK racecar

Scooter

And down to every detail… HK exhaust pipe.

Public bus

Sanrio and Eva Airlines (a Taiwan based airline) team up to present the Hello Kitty jet, an Airbus 330 decked nose to tail in Hello Kitty. The flight attendants wear Hello Kitty aprons, the interior is filled with HK to the brim, and you even get a Hello Kitty lunch!

Hello Kitty Holy Matrimony

You didn’t think it goes there, but indeed it does! An HK inspired wedding dress.

HK and Dear Daniel wedding cake toppers

Don’t forget the hors d’oevres!

Playing Dressup with HK

Look! A real life Hello Kitty!

HK goes Sci-Fi with this Hello Kitty inspired Darth Vadar cosplay. Thanks to Laarf for posting this one in the forums!