Top 10 Finalist • 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking

My Melody Sanrio Character Profile

My Melody is a beloved Sanrio character created in 1975 who lives on Rabbit Hill in the magical forest of Mariland. Known for her honest, cheerful personality and her signature hood hand-knitted by her grandmother, she loves baking cookies and dreams of becoming a pastry chef. A perennial favorite and three-time historic champion, My Melody finished #7 in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking worldwide.

🌸 Who Is My Melody?

Direct Definition

My Melody (マイメロディ) is an honest, kind-hearted white rabbit character created by Sanrio in 1975. She was born in the forest of Mariland and resides on Rabbit Hill. She is universally recognized by her cute hood that covers her ears—a cherished gift crafted by her grandmother—her passion for baking cookies, her deep love for her little brother Rhythm, and her dynamic relationship with her self-proclaimed rival, Kuromi.

Originally developed under the concept inspired by Little Red Riding Hood (*Akazukin-chan*), My Melody quickly grew into one of Sanrio's foundational global flagships alongside Hello Kitty and Little Twin Stars. Across five decades, she has starred in television anime series, streaming stop-motion productions on Netflix, video games, musical adaptations, and major lifestyle collaborations worldwide.

📋 My Melody Profile and Quick Facts

Essential verified biographical facts and official lore details for My Melody:

Official Name My Melody (マイメロディ)
Company and Creator Sanrio Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)
Debut Year 1975 (Originally introduced inspired by Little Red Riding Hood)
Birthday January 18
Canonical Age Unspecified (Sanrio characters do not age chronologically)
Character Species White Rabbit
Gender Girl (Female)
Birthplace and Home Rabbit Hill (Usagi ga Oka) in Mariland
Trademark and Treasure Her hood, lovingly hand-knitted by her grandmother
Personality Honest, cheerful, innocent, and deeply caring toward her little brother
Favorite Food Almond pound cake
Core Hobby Baking cookies with her mother
Lifelong Dream Becoming a skilled pastry chef
Little Brother Rhythm (Rizumu-kun)
Best Friend Flat (Blue mouse with yellow ears)
Counterpart and Rival Kuromi ("Self-proclaimed rival")
2025 Ranking #6 worldwide (2,547,302 votes)
2026 Ranking #7 worldwide (Official 41st Sanrio Character Ranking)

🐰 Physical Identity: Species, Birthday, Age and Origin

Is My Melody a Rabbit?

Yes, My Melody is officially a white rabbit. Sanrio's formal character profiles explicitly identify her as a gentle rabbit who lives in the peaceful forest of Mariland. Her long ears, soft white fur, and leporine family members in Rabbit Hill firmly anchor her identity.

Is My Melody a Girl?

Yes, My Melody is a girl. Sanrio profiles consistently use female pronouns and describe her gentle, sisterly nature and maiden warmth.

My Melody wearing her classic hood with flower
My Melody in her signature hood adorned with a white daisy.
My Melody winking with a blue bow
My Melody winking cheerfully, celebrating her January 18 birthday.

When Is My Melody's Birthday?

My Melody's birthday is January 18. Fans celebrate this date annually with special anniversary merchandise releases, cafe events at Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland, and dedicated social media campaigns.

How Old Is My Melody?

My Melody does not have a canonical numerical age. While she debuted commercially in 1975, franchise debut dates in the Sanrio universe represent the year a character was introduced to the public rather than a human biological age. She does not age into adulthood year-by-year, maintaining her timeless charm.

Where Is My Melody From? (Rabbit Hill and Mariland)

My Melody lives in Rabbit Hill (Usagi ga Oka), located within the magical forest world of Mariland. Mariland is a whimsical, peaceful realm inhabited by animal neighbors, lush flower meadows, and cozy cottages.

🎀 My Melody's Trademark Hood

My Melody's hood is her most recognizable physical attribute and a cornerstone of her character lore:

  • Hand-Knitted by Grandmother: Her treasured hood was hand-made and given to her as a loving gift by her grandmother. My Melody treasures it above all other possessions.
  • Classic Red vs. Signature Pink: When My Melody was first introduced in 1975 under the Little Red Riding Hood motif, her hood was red. In 1977, Sanrio introduced the iconic pastel pink hood, which became her most popular everyday look, though both red and pink variations remain canonical.
  • Flower and Ribbon Accents: She frequently accessorizes her hood with a white daisy flower or sweet pastel ribbon bows.

Why Does My Melody Wear a Hood?

My Melody wears her hood because it is her trademark gift from her grandmother and a cherished reminder of her family's love. It is a piece of clothing rather than a biological part of her body, and she wears it with pride wherever she goes.

My Melody strolling in sun hat with flower basket
My Melody accessorizing her hood with a straw hat in Mariland meadows.

🍰 Personality, Favorites and Pastry Chef Dreams

My Melody in chef hat whisking batter beside a cake
My Melody in chef attire, pursuing her dream of becoming a pastry chef.

What Is My Melody's Personality?

Sanrio defines My Melody as honest, cheerful, and kind. She always sees the good in others, treats her friends with unconditional generosity, and cares deeply for her family members, especially looking after her younger brother Rhythm.

What Is My Melody's Favorite Food?

My Melody's favorite food is almond pound cake. She loves enjoying freshly sliced almond pound cake during afternoon tea with her friends in Mariland.

What Is My Melody's Hobby?

Her favorite hobby is baking cookies with her mother. She enjoys mixing ingredients, shaping sweet treats, and sharing baskets of freshly baked cookies with her forest neighbors.

What Does My Melody Want to Be?

My Melody dreams of becoming a skilled pastry chef (*patissier*). Her passion for baking pastries and bringing joy to people through sweet desserts is central to her character identity and game appearances.

My Melody holding a cookie beside a jar of baked cookies
My Melody sharing freshly baked cookies, her favorite pastime.

🏡 My Melody's Family

My Melody comes from a warm, close-knit family living together in Mariland. Each relative plays a specific role in official lore:

👦 Little Brother: Rhythm (リズムくん)

My Melody's energetic and slightly mischievous younger brother. He loves running around, playing games, and spending time with his older sister, who cares for him deeply.

👵 Grandmother

The wise and loving matriarch of the family who hand-knitted My Melody's treasured hood and gave it to her as a cherished heirloom.

👩 Mother

A kind, gentle homemaker and talented baker who taught My Melody how to bake cookies and make delicious home-cooked meals.

👨 Father

A strong, reliable, and gentle craftsman and architect in Mariland who builds sturdy wooden furniture and cares deeply for his household.

👴 Grandfather

A good-natured, gentle elder who enjoys tending to the garden, taking peaceful walks, and telling fascinating stories to Rhythm and My Melody.

🐭 Friends and Companions in Mariland

My Melody is surrounded by loyal animal companions throughout Mariland:

  • Flat the Mouse (フラットくん): A clever little blue mouse with yellow ears who is My Melody's closest best friend. Though occasionally shy, Flat is always there to offer advice and help her out.
  • My Sweet Piano (マイスウィートピアノ): A soft, fluffy pink sheep who is gentle, soft-spoken, and loves writing poetry and picking flowers with My Melody.
  • Risu the Squirrel (りすくん): A shy but sweet little squirrel who loves foraging for acorns and nuts in the woods.
  • Kuma the Bear and Forest Birds: Friendly forest creatures who join My Melody for meadow picnics and afternoon tea.
My Melody hugging Flat the blue mouse
My Melody with her best friend Flat the mouse.

🖤 My Melody and Kuromi

The Rivalry Explained

Sanrio officially categorizes Kuromi as My Melody's "self-proclaimed rival" (自称・ライバル, jishō raibaru). While Kuromi views My Melody as an adversary due to childhood diary grievances, My Melody innocently considers Kuromi a dear friend, creating one of the most celebrated duos in pop culture history.

My Melody and Kuromi standing together in harmony
My Melody and Kuromi, representing the iconic Melokuro sweet and spicy pairing.

Are My Melody and Kuromi Friends or Rivals?

Their dynamic is a blend of comedic rivalry and deep underlying affection. According to Mariland lore, Kuromi began holding a grudge after My Melody unintentionally caused various childhood misunderstandings—such as tearing a notebook page to blow her nose or taking the last strawberry.

Kuromi wrote all these incidents down in her *Kuromi Note*. Yet whenever Kuromi tries to confront her, My Melody's pure sweetness, cheerful nature, and genuine friendship disarm Kuromi every time.

Are My Melody and Kuromi Sisters?

No, My Melody and Kuromi are not biological sisters. They are separate characters and childhood neighbors from Mariland who share a leporine aesthetic but come from different families.

What Is Melokuro (メロクロ)?

Melokuro is Sanrio's official brand concept celebrating the duo of My Melody and Kuromi. Combining pink and black, sweet and spicy, innocence and rebellion, Melokuro is an immense global hit across twin fashion (*tsugo-code*), cosmetic collections, accessories, and themed cafes.

👑 History and 50th Anniversary Milestone

My Melody has maintained fifty years of continuous global popularity and cultural influence:

  • 1975: Introduced by Sanrio designer Yuko Matsumoto under the concept Little Red Riding Hood (*Akazukin-chan*).
  • 1976: Officially named "My Melody" following a reader naming contest in Sanrio's *The Strawberry News* (*Ichigo Shinbun*).
  • 1977: Introduced the now-famous pastel pink hood, broadening her appeal.
  • 1986: Competed in the inaugural Sanrio Character Ranking, cementing her status as a top-tier icon.
  • 2005: Celebrated her 30th anniversary; co-starred in the landmark anime series *Onegai My Melody*.
  • 2025: Celebrated her monumental 50th Anniversary with global commemorative exhibitions, pop-up events, and joint celebrations alongside Kuromi's 20th anniversary.
  • 2026: Maintained an elite Top 10 finish, capturing #7 in the 41st Sanrio Character Ranking worldwide.
My Melody holding a gift box with a pink polka dot bow
My Melody celebrating milestone anniversaries with fans worldwide.

🎬 My Melody and Kuromi on Netflix, Anime and TV

📺 My Melody and Kuromi (Netflix)

An official stop-motion / 3D animated series streaming globally on Netflix. The series spans 12 episodes (~13 minutes each) capturing the charming everyday adventures, gentle humor, and heartwarming bond between My Melody and Kuromi in Mariland.

🎶 Theme Song: "Kawaii"

The official theme song for the Netflix production is "Kawaii", performed by global K-pop sensation LE SSERAFIM with music production involvement by acclaimed Japanese artist Gen Hoshino.

✨ Onegai My Melody (TV Tokyo)

The beloved 4-season anime series (2005–2009) where My Melody traveled to the human world equipped with the Melody Tact to restore dreams and protect peaceful hearts.

🎀 Supercute Adventures (YouTube)

Sanrio's ongoing global animated short series featuring My Melody running her friendly bakery and cafe alongside Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin.

🎮 My Melody in Video Games

My Melody is a featured character across numerous popular video game titles:

🏆 Sanrio Character Ranking History

My Melody has been a top contender in the Sanrio Character Ranking since its inaugural edition in 1986, winning three overall titles and achieving 28 all-time Top 10 finishes:

Year Final Rank Total Votes Ranking Context and Milestones
2026 #7 Top 10 Global Secured 7th place worldwide in the 41st contest
2025 #6 2,547,302 Maintained 6th place during her 50th anniversary year
2024 #6 2,800,000+ Solid Top 10 finish in global voting
2023 #6 2,264,895 Consistent high-tier standing across all regions
2022 #5 2,050,000+ Top 5 global finalist
2021 #4 2,314,222 Top 4 finish worldwide
2020 #4 1,755,870 Strong classic loyalty

✨ Verified Facts and Common Myths Debunked

Quick Verified Facts

Common Misconceptions (Myths vs. Reality)

❌ Myth 1: My Melody is a cat like Hello Kitty.

Reality: My Melody is a white rabbit who lives in Mariland, whereas Hello Kitty is a British schoolgirl who lives near London.

❌ Myth 2: My Melody and Kuromi are biological sisters.

Reality: They are not related by blood. Kuromi is My Melody's childhood neighbor and self-proclaimed rival from Mariland.

❌ Myth 3: My Melody has a fixed chronological human age because she debuted in 1975.

Reality: Sanrio characters do not have chronological human ages. 1975 is her franchise introduction year, not a biological birth date.

❌ Myth 4: Her hood is part of her physical body.

Reality: Her hood is an article of clothing lovingly hand-knitted and given to her by her grandmother.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About My Melody

Who is My Melody?

My Melody is an honest and cheerful white rabbit character created by Sanrio in 1975 who lives in Rabbit Hill in Mariland.

When is My Melody's birthday?

My Melody's birthday is January 18.

Is My Melody a rabbit?

Yes, My Melody is officially a white rabbit from Mariland.

How old is My Melody?

My Melody does not have a human numerical age. She debuted in 1975 and celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2025.

Who made My Melody's hood?

Her treasured hood was hand-knitted and given to her by her loving grandmother.

What is My Melody's favorite food?

My Melody's favorite food is almond pound cake.

What is My Melody's hobby?

Her favorite hobby is baking cookies with her mother.

What does My Melody dream of becoming?

My Melody dreams of becoming a skilled pastry chef (*patissier*).

Who is My Melody's little brother?

My Melody's little brother is Rhythm (*Rizumu-kun*), an energetic little rabbit boy whom she cares for deeply.

Are My Melody and Kuromi friends or rivals?

Sanrio defines Kuromi as My Melody's 'self-proclaimed rival.' While Kuromi sees My Melody as a rival due to childhood diary grievances, My Melody considers Kuromi a close friend.

Are My Melody and Kuromi sisters?

No, My Melody and Kuromi are not sisters. They are separate characters and childhood neighbors from Mariland.

What is Melokuro?

Melokuro is Sanrio's official brand pairing of My Melody and Kuromi, highlighting their sweet and spicy aesthetic contrast in merchandise, fashion, and lifestyle products.

What rank did My Melody get in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking?

My Melody placed 7th (#7) worldwide in the final official 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking.

My Melody sleeping peacefully
📜

Research & Fact Verification

This profile is researched and cross-referenced against primary character records, ranking publications and archival material. Facts that cannot be verified are clearly marked rather than guessed.

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