Results of the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix" Announced

© 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD. Copyright Sanrio Co., Ltd.

Sanrio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomokuni Tsuji; hereinafter "Sanrio") announces the final rankings of its annual popularity vote event, the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix."

Total votes reached a record high of 70,647,379 (112% compared to last year). "Pompompurin" (last year's No. 1) claimed first place again. Although "Cinnamoroll" led in the initial preliminary rankings, Pompompurin, celebrating its 30th anniversary, collected over 7 million votes to secure the top spot for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall.

Pompompurin celebrates back-to-back wins in its anniversary year! "Ahiru no Peckle" surges to 6th place!

Total votes hit a record high of 70,647,379 (112% vs. last year)!

"Pompompurin," celebrating its 30th anniversary, collected over 7 million votes to claim 1st place for the second year in a row and fifth time overall

"Cinnamoroll" took 2nd place, "Pochacco" 3rd place—Sanrio's "Big Three Dog Characters" sweep the Top 3!

"Ahiru no Peckle" rose significantly from 10th place last year to 6th place

"My Sweet Piano" also jumped 5 ranks from 18th last year to 13th this year

"Cinnamoroll" ranked 2nd, "Pochacco" 3rd, "Kuromi" 4th, and "Hello Kitty" 5th. These long-beloved characters continue to receive strong global support.

The Top 20 featured a diverse range of characters, highlighting their unique personalities and charm. "Ahiru no Peckle" rose from 10th to 6th place, following last year's return to the Top 10 for the first time in 31 years, drawing widespread fan support. "My Sweet Piano" made the biggest leap within the Top 20, advancing from 18th to 13th place.

The official website has published the complete rankings for the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix," Top 10 rankings by country/region, Top 15 rankings for the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Partner Division," and the first-place winners in each category of the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Happi-Rina Friends Division."

Final Rankings Announcement Page: https://ranking.sanrio.co.jp/result/

Comments from the Top 3 Characters

1st Place: Pompompurin

Yay! I'm so happy!

Thank you so much for all your support.

I love you all so, so much! ☆

Please continue to support me from now on too.

2nd Place: Cinnamoroll

Ehehe, I'm really, really happy.

Your cheers reached me loud and clear! ♪ Thank you so much for all your support!

3rd Place: Pochacco

Thank you all so much for your amazing support! Let's stay close friends forever! ★

Final Overall Rankings (1–90)

"41st Special Award," "Jump-Up Award," "Nakayoshi Cheers Award"

To commemorate the 41st edition of the Sanrio Character Grand Prix, the "41st Special Award" was presented to "Ousaru no Monkichi," the character ranked 41st. The "Jump-Up Award," given to the character with the most significant ranking improvement, went to "Buddy Eddie," who climbed 35 spots from last year. The "Nakayoshi Cheers Award," awarded to the trio of characters most frequently voted for together, was won by "Hapi Danbu V" members "Pochacco," "Ahiru no Peckle," and "Tuxedo Sam."

Overseas (Country/Region) Final Top 5 Rankings

"Pompompurin" ranked 1st in 9 countries and regions, while "Cinnamoroll" took 1st place in 4 countries and regions.

"2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Partner Division" Final Top 3 Rankings

The "Partner Division" featured 40 collaborations between Sanrio characters and partner characters from corporations or local governments. The 1st place winner was "Shirotan × Sanrio Characters," featuring "Shirotan," a pure white, fluffy character modeled after the "Tategoto Seal."

In the newly established "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Happi-Rina Friends Division," "Chocchi Hare" wins 1st place in all three categories

In the newly introduced "Happi-Rina Friends Division," the female chinchilla character "Chocchi Hare" won 1st place in all three categories: "Want to Be Together Award," "Want to Collect Many Award," and "Want to Chat Award." Having also led in the interim rankings, Chocchi Hare received strong support in the final results.

"Thank You for Your Support" Stage Shows to be held at 12 locations nationwide!

Starting September 2026, stage shows featuring the Top 10 characters from the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix" will be held at 12 locations across Japan. Through dance performances and photo sessions, the event will express gratitude to fans for their support. https://www.sanrio.co.jp/news/spots/event-ranking2026-thanks-20260628/

*Event details will be announced from August 2026 onward.

Background Information: Overview of the "2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix"

First launched in 1986 in Sanrio's official magazine "Monthly Ichigo Shimbun," the "Sanrio Character Grand Prix" is a popularity vote event in which fans vote for their favorite characters among over 450 Sanrio characters to determine the rankings. This year's theme is "Cheering for Everyone Who's Trying Their Best! Smiling Ovation!" "Smiling Ovation" is a coined term inspired by "Standing Ovation," expressing the wish for Sanrio characters and fans to cheer for and celebrate each other, creating smiles all around.

2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Overview

[Voting Period]

April 9 (Thu) 11:00 – May 24 (Sun) 23:59

[Participating Characters]

2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix: 90 characters

2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Partner Division: 40 pairs/groups

2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix Happi-Rina Friends Division: 10 Happi-Rina Friends characters

"2026 Sanrio Character Grand Prix" Preliminary, Interim Rankings, and All-Time No. 1 Characters