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Read Article →What Is WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
WE ARE DINOSAURS! (ウィアーダイナソアーズ！) is an authentic, officially copyrighted Sanrio character property created and maintained by Sanrio Co., Ltd. (株式会社サンリオ) since its debut in 1992. Rather than focusing on a single standalone mascot, the franchise was designed from its inception as a multi-member character ensemble representing an endearing group of prehistoric creatures.
Set against a whimsical, sun-drenched ancient backdrop of tropical ferns, prehistoric fruit trees, and active volcanic hills, WE ARE DINOSAURS! depicts the cheerful camaraderie of six distinct species. The characters are rendered in a bold, vibrant 1990s graphic illustration style featuring expressive round eyes, friendly grins, clean outlines, and warm pastel-to-vivid palettes.
The official concept behind the property is summarized by Sanrio as: "A lively and funny group of distinctive dinosaur friends enjoying playful escapades across an ancient paradise." Unlike menacing fossil depictions, WE ARE DINOSAURS! transforms ancient creatures into relatable, cheerful companions celebrated for their gentle humor, heartwarming cooperation, and timeless retro aesthetic.
Quick Facts
Official Property Name
WE ARE DINOSAURS!
Japanese Name
ウィアーダイナソアーズ！
Official Debut Year
1992 (Heisei 4)
Creator & Copyright
Sanrio Co., Ltd. (株式会社サンリオ)
Entity Structure
Multi-Member Character Ensemble (6 Core Members)
Group Leader
Tiran (Tyrannosaurus / ティラン)
Core Members
Tiran, Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, Plessie
Taxonomy & Theme
Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Reptiles
2026 Character Ranking
Rank #78 Worldwide (Entry 81, ▲ +4 Climb)
2026 Game Crossover
Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE (Rensuke Kunigami)
Official LINE Content
Active LINE Sticker & Theme Packs
Official Status in 2026
Active Verified Sanrio Property
Official 1992 Debut & Origins
WE ARE DINOSAURS! was officially launched by Sanrio in 1992. The early 1990s represented an era of profound creative exploration at Sanrio, where designers sought to develop innovative unisex and boy-friendly character concepts alongside beloved classics such as Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, and My Melody.
Forensic Fact Correction: Debunking the Erroneous 2014 Year Claim
Certain modern secondary databases and automated scrapers incorrectly tagged WE ARE DINOSAURS! with a 2014 origin year due to a CMS import indexing shift. Sanrio's official historical archives, vintage product catalogs, Strawberry News (いちご新聞) issues, and copyright registrations firmly verify that the property was created and commercially released in 1992.
Upon its introduction in 1992, WE ARE DINOSAURS! quickly found widespread popularity among schoolchildren. Its vibrant, approachable aesthetic made it a staple of Japanese stationery shops, featuring on pencil boxes, erasers, school notebooks, plastic bento accessories, and cloth drawstring bags.
Meet the WE ARE DINOSAURS! Characters
Unlike individual mascot properties, the charm of WE ARE DINOSAURS! stems from the distinct personalities, silhouettes, and roles of its six core members. Below are comprehensive profiles for each member of the ensemble:
Tiran
ティラン (Tyrannosaurus)Group Leader
Role & Species: Tiran is the verified leader of the group and an energetic Tyrannosaurus theropod.
Appearance: Bright orange bipedal body, expressive round eyes, wide toothy grin, and small playful arms.
Personality: Bold, dependable, and fiercely protective of his friends, though he can be delightfully clumsy and careless at times (ちょっぴりおっちょこちょい).
Tops
トップス (Triceratops)Core Member
Role & Species: Core quadrupedal member, modeled after the horned ceratopsian Triceratops.
Appearance: Sturdy earthy body, three sharp forward-facing horns, and a stylish defensive head frill.
Personality: Takes immense pride in his three sturdy horns and crown-like frill; stylish, neat, and highly fashion-conscious.
Stega
ステガ (Stegosaurus)Core Member
Role & Species: Plated herbivore member, modeled after the thyreophoran Stegosaurus.
Appearance: Gentle pastel-green body, upright dorsal armor plates running down his back, and a spiked tail.
Personality: Exceptionally gentle, peaceful, and warm-hearted; adores fresh blooming meadow flowers and cute objects.
Ptera
プテラ (Pteranodon)Aerial Scout
Role & Species: Flying prehistoric companion, modeled after the Late Cretaceous pterosaur Pteranodon.
Appearance: Brilliant cerulean-blue wings, sleek aerodynamic beak, cranial crest, and nimble yellow talons.
Personality: High-spirited, meddlesome show-off who loves swooping into the center of group activities; loves eating fish.
Blackie
ブラッキー (Brachiosaurus)Core Member
Role & Species: Long-necked gentle giant, modeled after towering sauropods like Brachiosaurus.
Appearance: Eye-catching magenta/pink skin, grand curving neck, dome-shaped head, and solid pillar-like legs.
Personality: Calm, easygoing, and thoughtful; loves leisurely walks and grazing on fresh tree leaves in ancient canopies.
Plessie
プレッシー (Plesiosaurus)Aquatic Swimmer
Role & Species: Marine reptile companion, modeled after the graceful marine creature Plesiosaurus.
Appearance: Streamlined aquatic silhouette, long serpentine neck, and large four-paddle swimming flippers.
Personality: Playful and graceful; loves gliding through crystal prehistoric lagoons and splashing playfully with friends.
What Dinosaur Is Each WE ARE DINOSAURS! Character?
A common question among Sanrio enthusiasts and dinosaur lovers is how the characters correspond to real-world prehistoric paleontology. While Sanrio adapts each creature with cute cartoon charm, their designs are firmly anchored in identifiable prehistoric animals:
| Character | Japanese Name | Prehistoric Animal Basis | Scientific Clade | Verification Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiran | ティラン | Tyrannosaurus (ティラノサウルス) | Theropoda (True Dinosaur) | Officially Verified |
| Tops | トップス | Triceratops (トリケラトプス) | Ceratopsia (True Dinosaur) | Design/Archival Lead |
| Stega | ステガ | Stegosaurus (ステゴサウルス) | Thyreophora (True Dinosaur) | Design/Archival Lead |
| Ptera | プテラ | Pteranodon (プテラノドン) | Pterosauria (Flying Reptile) | Design/Archival Lead |
| Blackie | ブラッキー | Brachiosaurus (ブラキオサウルス) | Sauropoda (True Dinosaur) | Design/Archival Lead |
| Plessie | プレッシー | Plesiosaurus (プレシオサウルス) | Plesiosauria (Marine Reptile) | Design/Archival Lead |
Scientific Taxonomy Nuance: Dinosaurs vs. Prehistoric Reptiles
From a strict paleontological standpoint, Pteranodon (flying pterosaurs) and Plesiosaurus (marine reptiles) are prehistoric archosaurs and sauropterygians, respectively, rather than members of the Dinosauria clade. However, in popular culture and classic Japanese children's media, all Mesozoic megafauna are warmly embraced together. Sanrio brilliantly celebrates this inclusive prehistoric friendship under the title WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
Member Personality Comparison
The chemistry of the WE ARE DINOSAURS! cast relies on how their complementary traits interact during their prehistoric journeys:
| Member | Core Personality | Distinct Quirks | Favorite Items / Foods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiran | Energetic, dependable leader | Clumsy at times, takes charge of adventures | Prehistoric fruits & hearty snacks |
| Tops | Proud, stylish, neat | Constantly polishes his three horns and frill | Prehistoric greenery, tidy resting spots |
| Stega | Gentle, calm, sweet-natured | Slow-paced, stops to smell wild flowers | Blooming meadow blossoms & soft foliage |
| Ptera | Show-off, curious, meddlesome | Loves diving and giving aerial updates | Fresh prehistoric fish & high vantage points |
| Blackie | Relaxed, thoughtful gentle giant | Takes long contemplative walks | Tender leaves from towering tree crowns |
| Plessie | Playful, graceful aquatic swimmer | Loves splash games and water acrobatics | Clear lagoon waters & coastal flora |
Birthday & Age Clarification
Unlike individual anthropomorphic characters who are assigned specific calendar birthdays (such as Hello Kitty on November 1 or Cinnamoroll on March 6), WE ARE DINOSAURS! does not have a single group birthday.
- No Group Calendar Birthday: Sanrio has never designated a shared birth date (e.g., January 1 or 1992-XX-XX) for the entire ensemble.
- Debut Year vs. Age: 1992 marks the corporate debut year of the franchise. It is factually incorrect to calculate an age based purely on the 1992 launch year.
- Timeless Prehistoric Age: Within Sanrio's fictional canon, Tiran and his friends remain eternally youthful, playful prehistoric companions unburdened by real-world chronological aging.
Friends & Group Relationships
The central emotional bond in WE ARE DINOSAURS! is the unshakable prehistoric friendship among the six core members. They live together in harmony, share discovered fruit groves, assist one another during volcanic rumblings, and celebrate their diverse physical capabilities.
Relationship Invariant: Cross-Character Friendship Boundaries
Automated recommendation algorithms on secondary websites often generate spurious "friendship" cards linking WE ARE DINOSAURS! to characters like Kuromi, Bad Badtz-Maru, Gudetama, or KIRIMIchan. In official Sanrio lore, these characters do not belong to the same universe or storyline. Merchandising co-appearances in ensemble Sanrio collages or ranking table proximity do not constitute in-universe friendship canon.
Family, Romance & Rivals (Lore Safeguards)
To ensure zero-hallucination accuracy, the following boundaries reflect official corporate lore:
- Family & Parents: No parents, siblings, egg-hatching genealogies, or family lineages have ever been published for Tiran, Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, or Plessie.
- Romance & Love Interests: None of the characters have boyfriends, girlfriends, crushes, or romantic plotlines. The series focuses purely on innocent friendship and discovery.
- Enemies & Rivals: There are no canonical archenemies, predator villains, or rival dinosaur clans. Nature and everyday prehistoric curiosity provide all the adventure they need.
WE ARE DINOSAURS! in the 1990s: Retro Stationery Phenomenon
Following its 1992 debut, WE ARE DINOSAURS! became an iconic part of the 1990s Japanese school lifestyle. During this period, Sanrio's "Boy's Character" and "Active Character" divisions designed practical, stylish, and durable products tailored for primary and middle school students.
Key product categories from the 1990s included:
- Hard-Shell & Vinyl Pencil Boxes (ふでばこ): Featuring magnetic double-sided compartments, built-in pencil sharpeners, and vibrant prints of Tiran leading the dinosaurs.
- Bento & Lunch Gear: Melamine drinking cups, aluminum lunch containers, chopstick cases, and drawstring cloth bags (*kinchaku*).
- School Notebooks & Erasers: Die-cut dinosaur erasers, B5 lined notebooks, and colorful sticker sheets awarded by teachers.
- Apparel & Accessories: Embroidered handkerchiefs, rain boots, umbrellas, and casual caps.
Merchandise & Modern Revival
In recent years, Sanrio's ongoing celebration of 1980s and 1990s nostalgic heritage has fueled a major resurgence for WE ARE DINOSAURS!. Modern collectors and new generations have embraced the characters through specialized retail collaborations:
- Avail & Shimamura Retro Fashion Collaborations: Release of limited-edition nostalgic graphic tees, roomwear, embroidered socks, and tote bags celebrating classic 1992 Sanrio artwork.
- Sanrio Shop Heritage Goods: Blind-box acrylic keychains, vintage-style tin badges, embroidered patches, and plush mascot keychains.
- Digital Stationery & Lifestyle Accessories: Re-imagined retro goods sold through official Sanrio online boutiques and concept pop-up stores across Japan.
Digital Presence & Official LINE Content
WE ARE DINOSAURS! maintains an active digital presence in modern communications. Sanrio has officially integrated the property into the LINE messaging ecosystem:
- Official LINE Sticker Sets: Animated and illustrated sticker packs showcasing Tiran giving enthusiastic thumbs-up, Stega relaxing with flowers, and Ptera soaring with message banners.
- LINE Custom Themes: Full UI themes that transform user chat backgrounds, navigation bars, and keypad icons into lush prehistoric green and orange landscapes.
Games & 2026 Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE Collaboration
In 2026, WE ARE DINOSAURS! achieved a massive gaming milestone through an official high-profile collaboration with the smash-hit mobile soccer game Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE (ブルーロック BLAZE BATTLE).
2026 Official Crossover: Rensuke Kunigami × WE ARE DINOSAURS!
As part of the official Sanrio Characters × Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE event, powerful striker Rensuke Kunigami (國神 錬介) was officially paired with WE ARE DINOSAURS!. Kunigami's fiery physical strength, heroic striker ethos, and orange visual aesthetic perfectly complemented Tiran's bold, courageous Tyrannosaurus identity. Special collaborative support cards, player skins, and celebratory event illustrations were featured in-game.
In addition to special crossovers, WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters periodically appear in Sanrio's mobile catalog, promotional minigames, and character voting miniapps.
WE ARE DINOSAURS! in 2026
As of September 2026, WE ARE DINOSAURS! is firmly established as an active, verified official Sanrio franchise:
- Active Character Ranking Participant: Successfully competed in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking, finishing at Rank #78 Worldwide with an active climb of +4 positions.
- Major Collaborative Exposure: Featured in mainstream mobile gaming via the 2026 Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE crossover.
- Nostalgia Market Staple: Prominently included in official Sanrio retro goods lines, commemorative exhibitions, and official digital storefronts.
Animation, Movie & Music Research
A forensic audit of Sanrio's media archives establishes the following verified facts regarding broadcast media:
- Dedicated Standalone TV Anime: No standalone television anime series solely dedicated to WE ARE DINOSAURS! was produced. The characters have appeared in promotional commercial animation, animated shorts, and Sanrio festival background cameos, but claims of dedicated 26-episode broadcast runs with full voice casts are unverified fabrications.
- Theatrical Feature Movies: No standalone theatrical feature film exists for the property.
- Official Character Songs: No standalone commercial single or pop album was published specifically under the WE ARE DINOSAURS! title.
Sanrio Character Ranking History (2021–2026)
The official Sanrio Character Ranking (サンリオキャラクター大賞) provides a transparent record of public popularity. Below is the verified chronological performance of WE ARE DINOSAURS!:
| Year | Participation Status | Official Entry No. | Final World Rank | Year-over-Year Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Participated (Final 90) | Entry No. 78 | #73 | Baseline Return |
| 2022 | Non-Participant in Final Field | — | — | Hiatus from Main Top 90 |
| 2023 | Non-Participant in Final Field | — | — | Hiatus from Main Top 90 |
| 2024 | Participated (Final 90) | Entry No. 87 | #73 | Re-entered at #73 |
| 2025 | Participated (Final 90) | Entry No. 73 | #82 | ▼ -9 Positions (Purged fake #64) |
| 2026 | Participated (Final 90) | Entry No. 81 | #78 | ▲ +4 Positions (Climb) |
In the finalized 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking, WE ARE DINOSAURS! entered under Entry No. 81 and finished at Final Rank #78, demonstrating renewed momentum with a solid four-position surge over 2025.
WE ARE DINOSAURS! Official Image Gallery
Explore the vibrant world of WE ARE DINOSAURS! through this 8-panel gallery illustrating the group's adventures, species diversity, and prehistoric charm:
Panel 1: Core Trio Portrait
Tiran the Tyrannosaurus with Blackie the sauropod and Ptera soaring joyfully.
Panel 2: Prehistoric Stroll
Blackie and Tiran walking side-by-side across green hills with distant smoking volcanoes.
Panel 3: Flower Meadow Rest
Tiran crouching delightfully among blooming daisies as Ptera dives down to play.
Panel 4: Cheerful Waves
Tiran waving both arms with bright sparkles, accompanied by smiling Blackie and perched Ptera.
Panel 5: Prehistoric Harmony
Gentle companionship between towering Blackie and energetic Tiran under ancient palms.
Panel 6: Aerial Flight Swoop
Ptera displaying dynamic flight acrobatics while friends look up in wonder.
Panel 7: Prehistoric Picnic
Tiran happily munching crisp red apples from a basket laid upon a picnic blanket.
Panel 8: Radiant Celebration
Tiran and companions raising arms in cheerful celebration before ancient sunbeams.
WE ARE DINOSAURS! Verified Facts
- Authentic Sanrio Property: Created, trademarked, and published by Sanrio Co., Ltd. in 1992.
- Japanese Title: Officially written as ウィアーダイナソアーズ！ (Wiā Dainasoāzu!).
- Multi-Member Ensemble: Composed of six named core prehistoric friends: Tiran, Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, and Plessie.
- Tiran is the Leader: Sanrio lore confirms Tiran the Tyrannosaurus as the official leader of the group.
- Tiran's Quirks: Described as dependable, courageous, and energetic, though endearing clumsy at times.
- Inclusive Prehistoric Cast: Harmoniously brings together theropods, ceratopsians, stegosaurs, sauropods, pterosaurs, and marine reptiles.
- 1990s Stationery Icon: A major staple of 1990s Japanese primary school pencil boxes, lunchboxes, and notebooks.
- 2026 Gaming Crossover: Officially partnered with mobile soccer game Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE, paired with striker Rensuke Kunigami.
- Active LINE Presence: Features official digital sticker and theme packs on the LINE messaging app.
- 2026 Ranking Performance: Finished at Final Rank #78 Worldwide (Entry 81) in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking, climbing four positions from 2025 (#82).
Myths vs. Reality
MYTH: WE ARE DINOSAURS! originated in 2014.
CORRECTION: The franchise officially debuted in 1992. The 2014 claim was an inadvertent CMS database indexing error on secondary sites.
MYTH: WE ARE DINOSAURS! is a single individual dinosaur mascot.
CORRECTION: WE ARE DINOSAURS! is an official six-member character group featuring Tiran, Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, and Plessie.
MYTH: The property belongs to an "edgy" or punk subculture category.
CORRECTION: The "edgy" label was an erroneous category tag applied by third-party databases. Sanrio officially categorizes WE ARE DINOSAURS! under prehistoric animal characters.
MYTH: The characters are 34 years old in 2026.
CORRECTION: 1992 is the corporate debut year of the franchise. Sanrio characters do not possess real-world numeric biological ages.
MYTH: WE ARE DINOSAURS! ranked #64 in the 2025 Character Ranking.
CORRECTION: In the official 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking, WE ARE DINOSAURS! finished at Final Rank #82 (Entry No. 73). The #64 figure was an internal catalog placeholder error.
MYTH: Kuromi and Badtz-Maru are canon best friends with Tiran.
CORRECTION: In-universe, the prehistoric characters exist within their own ancient realm. Cross-property merchandising banners do not establish narrative friendship lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
WE ARE DINOSAURS! (ウィアーダイナソアーズ！) is an official Sanrio character property introduced in 1992, featuring an ensemble cast of colorful, humorous prehistoric friends led by Tiran the Tyrannosaurus alongside Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, and Plessie.
Is WE ARE DINOSAURS! an official Sanrio property?
Yes. WE ARE DINOSAURS! is an authentic, officially copyrighted Sanrio intellectual property (© SANRIO CO., LTD.) created and maintained in Sanrio's official character catalog since its 1992 debut.
What is the official Japanese name for WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
The official Japanese name is ウィアーダイナソアーズ！ (Wiā Dainasoāzu!), styled with an exclamation mark matching its official English title.
When did WE ARE DINOSAURS! debut?
WE ARE DINOSAURS! officially debuted in 1992. Historical claims citing 2014 are incorrect database errors; the property has been part of Sanrio's lineup since 1992.
Is WE ARE DINOSAURS! a single character or a group?
WE ARE DINOSAURS! is a multi-member character ensemble representing a group of distinctive prehistoric dinosaur and reptile friends, not a single individual character.
How many core members are in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
There are six named core members in the primary WE ARE DINOSAURS! group: Tiran, Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, and Plessie.
Who is Tiran in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
Tiran (ティラン) is the bright orange, bipedal Tyrannosaurus who serves as the undisputed leader of the WE ARE DINOSAURS! group.
Is Tiran the leader of the group?
Yes, official Sanrio documentation explicitly confirms that Tiran is the leader of the WE ARE DINOSAURS! ensemble.
What species of dinosaur is Tiran?
Tiran is officially verified as a Tyrannosaurus (ティラノサウルス), a famous theropod carnivore adapted into a cheerful, friendly cartoon character.
What is Tiran's personality?
Tiran is characterized as strong, reliable, and spirited, though he is secretly a bit clumsy, careless, and endearing (ちょっぴりおっちょこちょい).
Who is Tops in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
Tops (トップス) is a core group member designed after a horned ceratopsian dinosaur, featuring three prominent horns and a decorative head frill.
What dinosaur is Tops based on?
Tops appears to be modeled after a Triceratops (トリケラトプス), characterized by three facial horns and a protective neck frill.
What are Tops's notable personality traits?
Historical profile material notes that Tops takes great pride in his three sturdy horns and stylish neck frill, possessing a neat and fashion-conscious demeanor.
Who is Stega in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
Stega (ステガ) is the gentle armored member of the group, adorned with upright triangular plates along the back and a defensive tail.
What dinosaur is Stega based on?
Stega appears to be modeled after a Stegosaurus (ステゴサウルス), the classic herbivorous plated dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period.
What are Stega's notable personality traits?
Stega is traditionally depicted as exceptionally gentle, kind-hearted, and fond of blooming flowers and cute, peaceful things.
Who is Ptera in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
Ptera (プテラ) is the energetic blue flying member of the prehistoric group who loves soaring overhead and surveying the ancient landscape.
What prehistoric creature is Ptera based on?
Ptera appears to be modeled after a Pteranodon (プテラノドン), a famous Late Cretaceous flying pterosaur.
What are Ptera's notable personality traits?
Ptera is known as an inquisitive show-off who loves swooping in to get involved in whatever the group is doing, and particularly enjoys eating fish.
Who is Blackie in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
Blackie (ブラッキー) is the gentle giant of the ensemble, featuring a towering long neck, sturdy pillar-like legs, and bright magenta/pink coloration.
What dinosaur is Blackie based on?
Blackie appears to be modeled after a long-necked sauropod such as Brachiosaurus (ブラキオサウルス).
What are Blackie's notable personality traits and habits?
Blackie enjoys relaxed strolls across the prehistoric plains and leisurely munching on tender tree leaves high up in ancient canopies.
Who is Plessie in WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
Plessie (プレッシー) is the aquatic member of the group, adapted with streamlined flippers and a graceful neck for navigating prehistoric waters.
What prehistoric creature is Plessie based on?
Plessie appears to be modeled after a plesiosaur (プレシオサウルス), an ancient marine reptile that lived in prehistoric oceans.
Are all members of WE ARE DINOSAURS! scientifically dinosaurs?
In strict paleontological classification, Tiran, Tops, Stega, and Blackie represent true dinosaurs (Dinosauria), while Ptera is a flying pterosaur and Plessie is a marine reptile. Sanrio harmoniously unites all six prehistoric friends under the friendly umbrella of WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
Does WE ARE DINOSAURS! have a group birthday?
No. Sanrio does not assign a single group-wide calendar birthday to WE ARE DINOSAURS!. The year 1992 represents the property's corporate debut date rather than a character birthday.
How old are the WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters?
Sanrio does not establish canonical numeric ages for the individual dinosaur characters. While the franchise originated in 1992, the characters remain timeless, youthful prehistoric creatures.
Do the WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters have canonical families or parents?
Official Sanrio lore does not define family trees, parents, siblings, or offspring for the six core dinosaur characters.
Do any WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters have romantic partners?
No. None of the WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters have canonical boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, or romantic storylines.
Who are the confirmed friends of WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
The six core members—Tiran, Tops, Stega, Ptera, Blackie, and Plessie—are established as close prehistoric companions. Unrelated Sanrio characters such as Kuromi or Badtz-Maru are not canonical friends.
Do the WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters have canonical enemies or rivals?
No permanent villain, predatory enemy, or rival dinosaur faction exists in official WE ARE DINOSAURS! canon.
Is there a group-wide favorite food?
No single food is shared by the entire group. Individual archival profiles highlight specific preferences, such as Ptera enjoying fish and Blackie favoring high tree leaves.
Does WE ARE DINOSAURS! have a dedicated TV anime series?
No standalone television anime series dedicated solely to WE ARE DINOSAURS! was produced. The characters primarily appear in official stationery, merchandise, and digital collaborations.
Does WE ARE DINOSAURS! have a theatrical movie?
No. There is no official theatrical feature film produced for WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
Is there an official standalone theme song for WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
No dedicated standalone commercial theme song or single has been officially published for the property.
What is the 2026 Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE collaboration?
In 2026, WE ARE DINOSAURS! participated in an official collaboration with the mobile soccer game 'Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE' (ブルーロック BLAZE BATTLE), where character Rensuke Kunigami (國神 錬介) was paired with WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
Does WE ARE DINOSAURS! have official LINE stickers?
Yes. Sanrio has released official digital stickers and themes on the LINE messaging app featuring WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
What was WE ARE DINOSAURS!'s rank in the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking?
In the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking, WE ARE DINOSAURS! was assigned Entry No. 78 and finished at Final Rank #73 worldwide.
Did WE ARE DINOSAURS! participate in the 2022 or 2023 Sanrio Character Rankings?
WE ARE DINOSAURS! did not appear in the official 90-character final ranking rosters for the 2022 and 2023 Sanrio Character Ranking cycles.
What was WE ARE DINOSAURS!'s rank in the 2024 Sanrio Character Ranking?
In the 2024 Sanrio Character Ranking, WE ARE DINOSAURS! was assigned Entry No. 87 and achieved Final Rank #73 worldwide.
What was WE ARE DINOSAURS!'s rank in the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking?
In the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking, WE ARE DINOSAURS! was assigned Entry No. 73 and finished at Final Rank #82. The claim of #64 was an internal site catalog placeholder error.
What was WE ARE DINOSAURS!'s rank in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking?
In the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking, WE ARE DINOSAURS! entered as Entry No. 81 and concluded the competition at Final Rank #78 worldwide.
How many positions did WE ARE DINOSAURS! improve in 2026?
WE ARE DINOSAURS! improved by four positions, rising from Rank #82 in 2025 to Rank #78 in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking.
Why was WE ARE DINOSAURS! previously listed as 'edgy' on some websites?
The 'edgy' categorization was an erroneous CMS tag applied by secondary databases. Sanrio officially categorizes the property under classic animal/dinosaur characters, not edgy or punk subcultures.
What types of merchandise were produced for WE ARE DINOSAURS! in the 1990s?
Classic 1990s merchandise included school pencil cases, stationery letter sets, plastic bento lunchboxes, backpacks, towels, and plush keychains popular among elementary school children.
Is WE ARE DINOSAURS! still an active Sanrio franchise in 2026?
Yes. WE ARE DINOSAURS! remains an active heritage property participating annually in the Sanrio Character Ranking, appearing in official mobile game crossovers like Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE, and featured on official digital platforms.
Where do the WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters live?
The characters inhabit a bright, stylized prehistoric paradise filled with active volcanoes, tropical palm trees, blooming meadows, and crystal-clear prehistoric lagoons.
What colors are the core WE ARE DINOSAURS! characters?
Tiran is bright orange, Tops is soft green/earth tone, Stega is pale green/yellow, Ptera is brilliant blue, Blackie is bold magenta/pink, and Plessie is aquatic blue/cyan.
Why is the property name styled in all caps with an exclamation mark?
Sanrio officially styles the property in uppercase letters as 'WE ARE DINOSAURS!' (with an exclamation mark), reflecting the group's bold, energetic, and triumphant prehistoric spirit.
Can WE ARE DINOSAURS! products still be purchased today?
Yes. In addition to vintage collector goods, Sanrio regularly releases modern retro apparel, Avail capsule collections, LINE stickers, and collaborative gaming merchandise featuring WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
Who is the primary contact or rights holder for WE ARE DINOSAURS!?
All copyrights, trademarks, and design rights for WE ARE DINOSAURS! are owned exclusively by Sanrio Co., Ltd. (株式会社サンリオ).
Archival & Official Sources
This encyclopedia was researched and verified using primary official archives and authentic historical records:
- Sanrio Co., Ltd. (株式会社サンリオ): Official Character Index and Corporate Heritage Archives (1992–2026).
- Sanrio Character Ranking Archives (サンリオキャラクター大賞): Official annual results and entrant records for 2021, 2024, 2025, and finalized 2026 results.
- Strawberry News (いちご新聞): Original 1992 debut announcements, character profile features, and 1990s product showcases.
- Blue Lock BLAZE BATTLE Official Collaboration (2026): Official in-game event notices and promotional pairing assets for Rensuke Kunigami × WE ARE DINOSAURS!.
- Sanrio LINE Creators & Official Theme Portal: Verified digital sticker collections and UI themes.
- Sanrio Vintage Product Catalogs (1992–1998): Historical school stationery, bento gear, and apparel records.
Disclaimer: SanrioCharacters.com is an independent fan resource dedicated to documenting Sanrio's rich character history. All character designs, names, and associated media are the copyrighted property of Sanrio Co., Ltd.
