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Read Article →Littleforestfellow at a Glance
Official Name
Littleforestfellow
Japanese Name
リトルフォレストフェロォ
Nickname
めろぉ (Mero)
Readable English
Little Forest Fellow
Debut Year
2015
Gender
Boy (Male)
Birthday
June 18
Old Mistaken Birthday
January 18
Relation to My Melody
Second Cousin (はとこ)
Signature Treasure
Red Hood from My Melody
Hobby
Collecting Buttons, Playing with Melody
Speech Style
「なのです」 (nanodesu)
2026 Ranking
#44 Worldwide (Entry No. 42)
2025 Ranking
#42 Worldwide (Entry No. 39)
2024 Ranking
#39 Worldwide
Status
Active (Nintendo Switch & Goods)
Who Is Littleforestfellow?
Littleforestfellow (リトルフォレストフェロォ), widely known by his affectionate nickname Mero (めろぉ), is an official Sanrio character created in 2015. Living in the peaceful woodlands of Mariland, Mero is a gentle, sweet-natured young rabbit boy recognized immediately by his signature red hood and his polite, endearing speech style.
Mero's deepest character connection is with Sanrio's iconic heroine My Melody, who is his second cousin. The red hood Mero wears every day is not merely decorative attire—it is his most prized personal treasure, given directly to him by My Melody as a symbol of their warm family affection.
Name & Japanese Nickname: Mero (めろぉ)
In Japanese, the character's full official title is written in katakana as リトルフォレストフェロォ (Ritoru Foresuto Feroo), while his beloved nickname is written in hiragana as めろぉ (Mero).
In English-speaking regions and official contest materials, Sanrio utilizes both Littleforestfellow (standardized single-word form) and Little Forest Fellow (spaced readable form). Fans frequently ask whether "Mero" is a distinct character from "Littleforestfellow"; Sanrio canon affirms that Mero is Littleforestfellow's nickname, representing the exact same character entity.
Debut Year & Commercial History (2015 vs 2016)
Littleforestfellow officially debuted in 2015 as part of Sanrio's expanding My Melody universe. Some legacy databases erroneously reported a 1984 debut date due to cross-table indexing bugs, but official corporate records confirm 2015 as his true birth year.
While Sanrio's canonical character profile lists his debut as 2015, broader commercial product lines, themed cafe events, and public radio promotions expanded in 2016. This two-phase timeline represents the initial character design introduction (2015) followed by wide-scale retail rollout (2016).
Birthday Clarification: June 18 vs. January 18
Littleforestfellow celebrates his official birthday on June 18.
Older merchandise and secondary archives occasionally noted January 18 as his birthday. Sanrio's official character lore addresses this discrepancy directly: My Melody had previously thought his birthday was January 18, but official canon confirms that Mero's true birthday is June 18.
Regarding age, Sanrio does not assign a numeric biological age in human years. Fictional characters exist in evergreen storytelling timelines, so calculating age by subtracting his 2015 debut from the current year is not canonical.
Relationship to My Melody: Second Cousins (はとこ)
The canonical bond between Littleforestfellow and My Melody is one of close family: they are second cousins (known in Japanese genealogy as hatoko, はとこ).
Mero adores his older second cousin, frequently visiting her to play games, pick wild strawberries, and share forest walks. This relationship is characterized strictly by pure familial fondness and mutual admiration—never romance. Sanrio has not published named parents or siblings for Mero, focusing instead on his vibrant bond with My Melody and his woodland friends.
The Treasured Red Hood & Button Collecting Hobby
Why does Littleforestfellow wear a red hood? When Mero was younger, My Melody lovingly gifted him a red hood matching the aesthetic of her own iconic headwear. Mero cherishes this gift above all other possessions and wears it everywhere he goes.
Mero's signature pastime is collecting buttons. Whether finding lost antique buttons on forest trails or receiving colorful buttons from woodland companions, Mero carefully sorts and inspects his colorful collection in his button basket. He also loves playing with My Melody whenever she visits.
In Japanese dialogue, Mero speaks with an endearing, polite cadence, consistently punctuating his thoughts with the phrase 「なのです」 (nanodesu), which reflects his gentle, earnest personality.
Visual Gallery: Littleforestfellow's Forest Life
Explore Littleforestfellow's daily adventures in Mariland, from button collecting and flower picking to cozy naps and second-cousin visits with My Melody:
1. Littleforestfellow Portrait
2. Meadow Stroll & Petals
3. Button Collecting Hobby
4. Family Bond with My Melody
5. Peaceful Clover Nap
6. Forest Daisy Bouquet
7. Treasured Button Keepsake
8. Forest Cottage Path
Meet Littleforestfellow's Official Friend Roster
Beyond his family bond with My Melody, Sanrio established a charming official friend roster of 8 named woodland companions who live alongside Mero in the forest:
Kumao (くまぉ)
Bear BoyAn easygoing bear boy who gets along wonderfully with Mero. He loves wearing his stylish pink boots and snacking on delicious honey castella cake.
Uribo (うりぼ)
Boar BoyA stylish young wild boar boy who owns an impressive collection of bow ties. He is proud of the stripes on his back and loves foraging for truffles.
Pinkii (ぴんきぃ)
Flying Squirrel GirlA sweet flying-squirrel girl who is somewhat lonely and needy. She loves wearing her fashionable beret, admires the pink stripe on her back, and adores cotton candy.
Kawau (かわうー)
Otter BoyA cool, calm otter boy who wears a signature neck scarf. He takes pride in his slim physique and loves refreshing chocolate-mint ice cream.
Pippii (ぴっぴぃ)
Bird BoyA cheerful, easygoing little bird boy who loves taking cozy afternoon naps alongside Mero and enjoying warm cheese soufflé.
Hatchii (はっちぃ)
Bee BoyAn energetic, quick-flying bee boy who buzzes happily around Mero on sunny days and loves tangy sweet lemon candy.
Maimii (まいみぃ)
Snail GirlA shy snail girl adorned with a pink ribbon and a heart-shaped shell. She hides inside her shell whenever embarrassed and loves strawberry parfaits.
Okame-san (おかめさん)
Turtle ElderA wise, elderly turtle who serves as a knowledgeable mentor to Mero and his friends, teaching them forest lore while enjoying freshly baked madeleines.
Media, Radio Show & Nintendo Switch Gaming
Mero's Friends Song (めろぉのフレンズソング) Radio Show
In 2017, Littleforestfellow made media history as the main host and radio personality of めろぉのフレンズソング (Mero's Friends Song), a digital radio advice and music request program broadcast on TS ONE. Mero answered fan letters, played music, and welcomed guest Sanrio characters to the studio.
Important Clarification: "Mero's Friends Song" is the official title of the radio broadcast series, not a commercial pop single or music album released under Mero's name.
Sanrio Characters Miracle Match: Magical Tag (Nintendo Switch)
In the 2025 Nintendo Switch video game Sanrio Characters Miracle Match: Magical Tag, Littleforestfellow appears as a fully playable Challenger in the 35-character roster. Players can control Mero as he dashes across colorful magical arenas using his speed and agility.
Animation, Movies & Manga Status
Sanrio has not produced a dedicated television anime series, theatrical movie, or serialized manga series for Littleforestfellow. His official media presence is centered around Sanrio's Strawberry News (Ichigo Shimbun), official online shorts, promotional animations, and video game crossovers.
Sanrio Character Ranking History & 2026 Results
Since his debut, Littleforestfellow has been an active, popular contender in the annual worldwide Sanrio Character Ranking contest.
| Year | Entry Number | Interim / Initial Rank | Final Rank | Historical Context & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | — | — | #19 | Sensational Top 20 debut year finish |
| 2018 | No. 19 | — | #27 | Maintained strong Top 30 standing |
| 2020 | — | — | #37 | Solid global ranking performance |
| 2021 | No. 37 | — | #28 | Climbed back into the Top 30 |
| 2022 | No. 28 | — | #31 | Strong international voting support |
| 2023 | No. 31 | — | #40 | Competitive mid-tier ranking |
| 2024 | No. 39 | — | #39 | Held #39 global ranking position |
| 2025 | No. 39 | — | #42 | Official 2025 final rank (corrected from error #83) |
| 2026 | No. 42 | #41 (Initial) | #44 | Official 2026 Final Rank Worldwide |
41st Special Award Safeguard
In the 2026 contest, Littleforestfellow was positioned at #41 in the initial day-one report. However, initial snapshots do not determine final commemorative honors; the official 41st Special Award was awarded to the character who finished in final position #41 (Osaru no Monkichi), while Littleforestfellow concluded the contest at final rank #44.
Myths & Misconceptions: Littleforestfellow Facts
“Littleforestfellow debuted in 1984.”
Littleforestfellow officially debuted in 2015. The “1984” date was an erroneous legacy database error that has been purged across this encyclopedia.
“His canonical birthday is January 18.”
Sanrio's official character profile establishes June 18 as his true canonical birthday. January 18 was an old date that My Melody had mistakenly believed in earlier lore.
“My Melody is just a friend or romantic crush.”
My Melody is Littleforestfellow's second cousin (はとこ, hatoko). Their bond is strictly close family affection.
“The red hood is just random standard clothing.”
The red hood is Littleforestfellow's greatest treasure, lovingly hand-gifted to him by My Melody.
“Littleforestfellow ranked #83 in 2025.”
Littleforestfellow entered 2025 as Entry No. 39 and achieved a final worldwide rank of #42. The “#83” number was an internal encyclopedia index error.
“Initial #41 means Littleforestfellow won the 2026 Special Award.”
Special awards are determined by final official placements. Mero finished at final rank #44, while Osaru no Monkichi claimed final #41 and the award.
“Mero released a pop single called Friends Song.”
Mero's Friends Song was the title of his 2017 TS ONE digital radio talk program, not a commercial pop music single.
Frequently Asked Questions About Littleforestfellow
Explore comprehensive verified answers to all questions regarding Littleforestfellow's identity, family, friends, media, and rankings:
1. Identity, Names & Official Status
Who is Littleforestfellow?
Littleforestfellow (リトルフォレストフェロォ), affectionately nicknamed Mero (めろぉ), is an official Sanrio character introduced in 2015. He is My Melody's second cousin, wears a treasured red hood gifted by My Melody, collects buttons, and speaks with a gentle 「なのです」 speech ending.
Is Littleforestfellow an official Sanrio character?
Yes. Littleforestfellow is a genuine, officially registered Sanrio character property created and copyrighted by Sanrio Co., Ltd.
Is his name Littleforestfellow or Little Forest Fellow?
Both spellings are official English variants used by Sanrio. The single-word format 'Littleforestfellow' is commonly used for official URLs and rankings, while 'Little Forest Fellow' is used as a readable English variant.
What is his Japanese name?
In Japanese, his official character name is written in katakana as リトルフォレストフェロォ (Ritoru Foresuto Feroo).
Who is Mero?
Mero (written in Japanese as めろぉ) is Littleforestfellow's official nickname given by Sanrio and used affectionately by My Melody and fans.
Is Mero the same as Littleforestfellow?
Yes. Mero is Littleforestfellow's nickname, not a separate character.
2. Debut, Age & Gender
When did Littleforestfellow debut?
Littleforestfellow officially debuted in 2015 in Sanrio's official character lineup.
Did Littleforestfellow debut in 1984 or 2015?
Littleforestfellow debuted in 2015. The '1984' date was an erroneous legacy database error that has been corrected across this encyclopedia.
What is the difference between his 2015 debut and 2016 rollout?
Sanrio's official character profile lists his debut as 2015, while broader commercial merchandise rollout and public media promotion expanded significantly in 2016.
How old is Littleforestfellow?
Sanrio has not established a canonical numeric biological age for Littleforestfellow. His 2015 debut year denotes when the character was created, not a fictional biological age.
Is Littleforestfellow a boy?
Yes. Littleforestfellow is canonically a boy bunny.
3. Birthday Lore & Calendar Clarifications
When is Littleforestfellow's birthday?
Littleforestfellow's official canonical birthday is June 18.
Is his birthday January 18 or June 18?
His current canonical birthday is June 18. January 18 was an old date that My Melody had mistakenly believed before Sanrio updated his official profile.
Why did My Melody think his birthday was January 18?
In official Sanrio lore, My Melody had previously thought Mero's birthday was January 18, but Sanrio's current official profile clarifies that his actual birthday is June 18.
4. Family & My Melody Relationship
Is Littleforestfellow related to My Melody?
Yes. Littleforestfellow is My Melody's second cousin (従兄弟 / はとこ in Japanese family lore).
Is Littleforestfellow My Melody's cousin or second cousin?
He is canonically her second cousin (はとこ, hatoko), sharing family heritage within the Mariland rabbit lineage.
Does Littleforestfellow have biological parents or siblings in canon?
Sanrio has not officially named or designed parents, siblings, or an extended family tree for Littleforestfellow beyond his verified second-cousin bond with My Melody.
Is there any romantic relationship between Littleforestfellow and My Melody?
No. Their relationship is purely family affection as second cousins. They are close family members who enjoy playing together.
5. Red Hood, Buttons & Signature Lore
Why does Littleforestfellow wear a red hood?
He wears a red hood because it was a treasured gift given to him by his second cousin, My Melody.
Who gave him the red hood?
My Melody gave him his signature red hood.
What is Littleforestfellow's treasure?
His absolute greatest treasure is the red hood gifted to him by My Melody.
What is his hobby?
His primary hobbies are collecting buttons of various colors and sizes and playing with his beloved My Melody.
Does Littleforestfellow collect buttons?
Yes. Collecting buttons found in the forest or received from friends is one of his most defining official hobbies.
What does he like doing with My Melody?
He loves playing games, taking walks in the forest, picking flowers, and spending peaceful time with her.
What does Littleforestfellow say?
Littleforestfellow speaks with a gentle, polite tone and frequently ends his sentences with the characteristic Japanese phrase 「なのです」 (nanodesu).
What does 「なのです」 mean in his speech style?
「なのです」 (nanodesu) translates roughly to 'it is so' or 'that is why', reflecting his polite, gentle, and endearing speaking personality.
6. Canonical Friend Roster
Who are Littleforestfellow's friends?
His official named friend roster includes Kumao, Uribo, Pinkii, Kawau, Pippii, Hatchii, Maimii, and Okame-san.
Who is Kumao?
Kumao (くまぉ) is an easygoing bear boy who gets along wonderfully with Mero, likes pink boots, and loves honey castella.
Who is Uribo?
Uribo (うりぼ) is a stylish young wild boar boy who owns many bow ties, is proud of the stripes on his back, and enjoys truffles.
Who is Pinkii?
Pinkii (ぴんきぃ) is a slightly lonely/needy flying-squirrel girl who loves her stylish beret, the pink stripe on her back, and cotton candy.
Who is Kawau?
Kawau (かわうー) is a cool, calm otter boy who loves his neck scarf, takes pride in his slim physique, and loves chocolate-mint ice cream.
Who is Pippii?
Pippii (ぴっぴぃ) is a cheerful, easygoing little bird boy who loves taking cozy naps with Mero and enjoying cheese soufflé.
Who is Hatchii?
Hatchii (はっちぃ) is an energetic, fast-flying bee boy who buzzes happily around Mero and loves sweet lemon candy.
Who is Maimii?
Maimii (まいみぃ) is a shy snail girl with a pink ribbon and a heart-shaped shell who hides inside when embarrassed and loves strawberry parfait.
Who is Okame-san?
Okame-san (おかめさん) is an elderly, knowledgeable turtle who acts as a wise mentor figure teaching the group and loves madeleines.
7. Relationships, Powers & Attributes
Does Littleforestfellow have a girlfriend?
No. Littleforestfellow has no canonical romantic partner, girlfriend, or romantic crush.
Does he have an enemy or rival?
No. Littleforestfellow lives in a peaceful, heartwarming forest world with no recurring villains or antagonists.
Does Littleforestfellow have supernatural powers?
No. Littleforestfellow has no magical or supernatural powers; his red hood is a sentimental treasure, not an enchanted artifact.
What is Littleforestfellow's dream?
Sanrio's official character profile does not state an explicit canonical dream.
What is his special skill?
Sanrio has not published an official special skill field in his standard character profile.
What is his favorite food?
While his friend roster has specific favorite treats (like castella, parfaits, and madeleines), Mero's individual single favorite food is not formally restricted to one item in current official profiles.
8. Media, Radio, Games & Animation
What was Mero's Friends Song?
Mero's Friends Song (めろぉのフレンズソング) was a digital radio music request and listener advice program launched in 2017 on TS ONE, hosted by Mero with guest Sanrio characters.
Did Littleforestfellow host a radio show?
Yes. He served as the primary personality and radio host for the TS ONE program 'Mero's Friends Song'.
Does Littleforestfellow have an official music single or album?
No commercial music single or album named 'Friends Song' was released; the phrase refers specifically to the radio program title.
Is Littleforestfellow in Sanrio Characters Miracle Match?
Yes. Littleforestfellow appears as a playable Challenger in the video game Sanrio Characters Miracle Match: Magical Tag.
Is Littleforestfellow playable on Nintendo Switch?
Yes. The Nintendo Switch edition of Miracle Match (2025 release) features Littleforestfellow in its verified 35-character playable roster.
Does Littleforestfellow have a TV anime series?
No dedicated standalone television anime series has been produced for Littleforestfellow.
Is there a Littleforestfellow movie?
No theatrical movie or feature film exists for Littleforestfellow.
Is there a Littleforestfellow manga series?
No standalone serialized manga series exists, though he appears in Sanrio's Strawberry News (Ichigo Shimbun) publications and promotional print media.
9. Ranking History & 2026 Results
What was Littleforestfellow's 2024 Character Ranking result?
In the 2024 Sanrio Character Ranking, Littleforestfellow entered as No.39 and finished at #39 Worldwide.
What was his 2025 entry number and final rank?
In the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking, he was designated Entry No. 39 and achieved a final rank of #42 Worldwide.
Did Littleforestfellow rank #83 in 2025?
No. The '#83' figure was an erroneous legacy roster index mistakenly displayed as a ranking result. His true 2025 final rank was #42.
What was his 2026 entry number?
Littleforestfellow was designated Entry No. 42 in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking.
What was his 2026 initial interim rank?
In the initial first-day interim report of the 2026 contest, Littleforestfellow was positioned at #41.
What was Littleforestfellow's final 2026 Character Ranking result?
Littleforestfellow concluded the official 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking at #44 Worldwide.
Did Littleforestfellow win the 41st Special Award in 2026?
No. Although he held rank #41 in the initial interim snapshot, the commemorative 41st Special Award was awarded to the character who finished in final position #41 (Osaru no Monkichi).
Official Sources & Verification References
The information in this encyclopedia entry is cross-referenced directly against primary official Sanrio corporate, archival, and gaming publications:
- Official Sanrio Japan Profile: Sanrio.co.jp Littleforestfellow Character Page (Canonical 2015 debut, June 18 birthday, red hood treasure, and friend roster).
- Sanrio Character Ranking 2026: Official worldwide contest results (Entry No. 42, Final Rank #44 Worldwide).
- Sanrio Character Ranking 2025: Official corporate final standings (Entry No. 39, Final Rank #42 Worldwide).
- TS ONE Digital Radio Archives: Official broadcast documentation for めろぉのフレンズソング (Mero's Friends Song, 2017).
- Sanrio Characters Miracle Match: Magical Tag: Official Nintendo Switch game character roster (2025 release).
- Sanrio Strawberry News (Ichigo Shimbun): Official historical publications and character feature spreads.
