At 50, Hello Kitty is as 'kawaii' — and lucrative — as ever

Hello Kitty waves as she appears to attend the opening ceremony of the exhibition "As I change, so does she," marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2024. A visitor looks at giant Hello Kitty display at the exhibition "As I change, so does she," marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2024. Visitors react to gigantic Hello Kitty slippers at the exhibition "As I change, so does she," marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2024. A visitor looks at Hello Kitty display at the exhibition "As I change, so does she," marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2024. Tourists from Britain pose with Hello Kitty decoration at the Tokyo National Museum where the exhibition "As I change, so does she" is held, marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2024. A visitor wears boots featuring Hello Kitty at the National Museum during the exhibition "As I change, so does she," marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2024.

Hello Kitty turned 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bubble-headed, bow-wearing character's fictional birthday has brought museum exhibits, a theme park spectacle and a national tour. And that's just in Japan, her literal birthplace but not the one listed in her official biography.