Sanrio’s Annual Character Popularity Poll Returns This April
Sanrio is preparing to launch the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking, an annual popularity contest that allows fans to select their favorite from the company’s vast range of adorable mascots.
The massive voting event originally started in 1986 within the pages of Sanrio’s monthly Strawberry News publication.
It has since grown into a global phenomenon where fans passionately support their preferred characters to help them reach the number one spot.
This year’s competition features a total of 90 different characters battling for the top position.
The theme for the 2026 ranking is “Smiling Ovation!”, a concept that aims to support the bond between characters and their fans.
The official key visual artwork showcases various mascots dressed in energetic cheerleader outfits, complete with pom-poms and megaphones.
The previous year’s 2025 ranking saw a record-breaking total of over 63 million votes cast by passionate fans worldwide.
The golden retriever character Pompompurin secured the first-place position, followed closely by Cinnamoroll in second and Pochacco in third.
Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Pompompurin can secure a consecutive victory during his 30th-anniversary year.
In addition to the main contest, a new voting category will be introduced for the 2026 ranking awards.
The Partner Category will allow fans to vote for their favorite special collaborations between beloved Sanrio characters and 40 different corporate and local government mascots.
Voting for this specific division will be conducted exclusively online.
The final results for both categories will be revealed during the “Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minatomirai” event scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026.
This massive celebration will take place at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center and will feature a live stage presentation.
The roster of participating entrants will be gradually revealed daily on the official Sanrio Character Ranking X account starting Wednesday, March 11.
A complete lineup will then be published on the voting website on Wednesday, April 1.
The voting period will open on Thursday, April 9, at 11:00 AM JST and will run until the end of the day on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Fans have multiple ways to cast their votes, including free daily online voting and by purchasing merchandise at official Sanrio stores.
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