The final results of the "2026 Sanrio Character Awards," a popularity poll for Sanrio characters, were announced on June 28th, with Pompompurin taking first place for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall.
The total number of votes reached 70,647,379 (112% of last year's total), surpassing last year's record high. Pompompurin was in second place in the initial preliminary rankings, but in the interim rankings announced in May, he overtook Cinnamoroll, who was in first place in the preliminary rankings, to take first place. He managed to secure the win by gathering more than 7 million votes in his 30th anniversary year.
In second place was "Cinnamoroll," and in third place was "Pochacco," with Sanrio's "three major dog characters" dominating the top three spots for the second year in a row. "Kuromi" came in fourth place, and "Hello Kitty" in fifth place.
Furthermore, "Pekkle the Duck," which was ranked 10th last year, climbed from 7th to 6th in the interim rankings, and Tuxedo Sam, which was ranked 11th, also made it into the top 10 at 8th place. "My Sweet Piano," which was ranked 18th last year, jumped to 13th place, recording the biggest rank increase within the top 20.
The "Sanrio Character Awards" is a public voting project for Sanrio characters that started in 1986. This year, the 41st edition, the theme is "Sending Cheers to Everyone Who's Doing Their Best! Smiling Ovation!", and 90 characters have been entered.
◇ Final rankings for the 2026 Sanrio Character Awards
1st: Pompompurin ▽2nd: Cinnamoroll ▽3rd: Pochacco ▽4th: Kuromi▽5th: Hello Kitty▽6th: Ahiru no Pekkle▽7th: My Melody▽8th: Tuxedosam▽9th: Hangyodon▽10th: Little Twin Stars▽11th: Badtz-Maru▽12th: Cogimyun▽13th: My Sweet Piano▽14th: Keroppi▽15th: Hanamaru Obake▽16th: Wish Me Mell▽17th: Usahana▽18th: Gaopawaruu▽19th: Korokoro Kuririn▽20th: Gudetama
