The initial results of the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix," a popularity poll for Sanrio characters, were announced on April 14th, revealing that Cinnamoroll, who came in second last year, has taken first place. Pompompurin, who won first place for the first time in nine years last year, came in second, and Pochacco, who came in third last year, came in third, with Sanrio's three major "dog characters" dominating the top three spots. The results are based on online voting that took place from 11:00 AM on April Getsuku to April 12th.
Kuromi came in 4th (4th last year), Hello Kitty in 5th (5th last year), and My Melody in 6th (6th last year), showing that regular top-ranking characters are off to a good start. Pekkle the Duck, who made it into the top 10 for the first time in 31 years last year (10th last year), ranked 7th, showing great momentum. Little Twin Stars came in 8th (7th last year), Hanamaru Obake in 9th (12th last year), and Badtz-Maru in 10th (11th last year). The interim rankings will be announced at 1 PM on May 12th.
The "Sanrio Character Awards" is a public voting event for Sanrio characters that started in 1986. Last year, the total number of votes exceeded 63.16 million, the highest number ever. This year, the 41st edition of the awards, the theme is "Sending Cheers to Everyone Who's Doing Their Best! Smiling Ovation!", and 90 characters are entered. Voting will begin on April Getsuku and will continue until May 24th. The interim rankings will be announced on May 12th, and the final results on June 28th.
◇Preliminary rankings for the 2026 Sanrio Character Awards
1st place: Cinnamoroll(2nd place last year)
2nd place: Pompompurin(1st place last year)
3rd place: Pochacco(3rd place last year)
4th place: Kuromi (4th place last year)
5th place: Hello Kitty (5th place last year)
6th place: My Melody (6th place last year)
7th place: Peckle the Duck (10th place last year)
8th place: Little Twin Stars (7th place last year)
9th place: Hanamaru Obake (12th place last year)
10th place: Bad Badtz-Maru (11th place last year)
◇Past Sanrio Character Awards 1st Place
1986: Zashikibuta▽1987: Marron Cream▽1988: Minna no Taabou▽1989: Minna no Taabou▽1990: Kerokero Keroppi▽1991: Pochacco ▽1992: Pochacco ▽1993: Pochacco ▽1994: Pochacco ▽1995: Pochacco ▽1996: Bad Badtz-Maru▽1997: Pompompurin ▽1999: Hello Kitty▽2000: Hello Kitty▽2001: Hello Kitty▽2002: Hello Kitty▽2003: Hello Kitty▽2004: Hello Kitty▽2005: Hello Kitty▽2 2006: Hello Kitty▽2007: Hello Kitty▽2008: Hello Kitty▽2009: Hello Kitty▽2010: My Melody▽2011: My Melody▽2012: Hello Kitty▽2013: Hello Kitty▽2014: My Melody▽2015: Pompompurin ▽2016: Pompompurin ▽2017: Cinnamoroll ▽2018: Cinnamoroll▽2019: Hello Kitty▽2020: Cinnamoroll ▽2021: Cinnamoroll Cinnamoroll 2022: Cinnamoroll ▽2023: Cinnamoroll ▽2024: Cinnamoroll ▽2025: Pompompurin
