Hello Kitty is a global brand created by the Japanese company Sanrio in 1974, known for its simple, cute design and the character of a mouthless white kitten named Kitty White. The brand's appeal lies in its association with kawaii (cuteness), its flexibility for emotional projection due to its lack of a mouth, and its global merchandising empire across numerous product categories. Sanrio's goal was to create a character for "social communication" and gift-giving, and Hello Kitty has become one of the world's most successful marketing brands.