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Draft:Kuromi

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Kuromi

Kuromi (Japanese: クロミ), is a fictional character owned by the company Sanrio, and created by


Kuromi
Template:Kuromi hello kitty by razon neko dhsfo4j-fullview (1).png.
First appearance2005
Created byYuko Yamaguchi
Voiced byJunko Takeuchi (Japanese)

Jenny Yokobori (English) (Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures)

Diana Garnet (Kuromi's Pretty Journey)
In-universe information
SpeciesRabbit
GenderFemale
FamilyRomina (Older sister)

Sanrio’s artist Yuko Yamaguchi[1], originally intended to be an antagonist in the anime series Onegai My Melody. She is depicted as a punk, tomboyish rival to My Melody. In her backstory, she is an escaped prisoner from Mari Land[1]  and a leader of the biker gang known as Kuromi’s 5[2] , with her closest sidekick being a tapir called Baku[3].  Her growing popularity led her to become a permanent Sanrio character, featured in various types of media, most prominently in anime and games.

Kuromi debuted in Onegai My Melody on April 3, 2005[4]. In 2023, the animated series Kuromi's Pretty Journey was released, following Kuromi and Baku as they search for her lost sister Romina in the human world[5]. Over the years, Sanrio has launched a wide range of Kuromi-themed products, including games, plush toys, and accessories, following her rise in popularity. Kuromi has become a cultural and fashion icon, securing the top 10 spot of Sanrio character rankings in each year.[2]

Creation and design

In 2005, Yuko Yamaguchi created the character Kuromi initially intended to be the villain of the series Onegai My Melody[1]. However, with the rise in viewers of the anime, Kuromi became increasingly popular due to her distinctive aesthetic from the other Sanrio characters at the time. Due to the overwhelming adoration of Kuromi by the audience, Sanrio executives officially green-lighted Kuromi as an official character in the same year[2].

The character design of Kuromi is heavily inspired by the punk rock aesthetic. In most of her appearances, she is usually depicted as a white rabbit wearing a jester-like black hood, covering her ears and chest. The pink skull on her forehead also changes to match Kuromi’s mood.[2] In Japanese, the word “Kuro” means black, and “Kuromi” can be translated to “black beauty”, a Japanese name often given to girls[1][2]. This suits Kuromi’s dark, yet alluring and charming look, which has made her a popular figure within the punk scene and goth subcultures[2]. Her character design is reflective of her personality and representation. She symbolizes rebellion in the kawaii world of the Sanrio universe, earning the nickname “kawaii rebel”[6]. Kuromi holds a special place among fans who are drawn to her darker aesthetic within kawaii culture. She stands out as one of the few Sanrio characters who follows her own path and does what she pleases, making her particularly popular with teenage girls[1].

History and reception

Kuromi, originally introduced as an antagonist in the animated series Onegai My Melody, quickly gained popularity that extended beyond her initial role, securing her status as a prominent character within Sanrio’s character lineup.[2] Following her success, Kuromi became a frequent feature in Sanrio media and merchandise, including her own web animations. Her first exclusive merchandise line, separate from My Melody, launched on September 14, 2005, followed by additional product releases on October 26 and December 14 of the same year.[6]

In 2016, Kuromi’s 15th anniversary was commemorated with a special pop-up cafe and a book documenting her character history. In 2021, she achieved notable success by surpassing Hello Kitty in Sanrio’s 36th annual character popularity poll, securing fifth place, a position she had previously attained in 2006 and 2010. Kuromi has consistently ranked among Sanrio’s top 10 characters since 2018.[2][6]

Character

Kuromi is often depicted as the rival and dark counterpart to My Melody. She is characterized as a mischievous, impish creature resembling a white rabbit. She is distinguished by her black jester’s hat adorned with a pink skull emblem on the front, which changes expression to reflect her mood, and a black devil’s tail. Kuromi’s birthday is October 31st, aligning with her edgy, Halloween-inspired aesthetic.[2] Despite her punk exterior, she is notably feminine, with a fondness for journaling and romantic stories, as well as an interest in attractive men. Her preferred colors, black and hot pink, reflect her bold personality,[1][7] and she has a taste for various meats, shallots, and cherries[2][6]. Kuromi is spirited and independent, yet, despite occasional friendly interactions with My Melody, her competitive streak often leads her to project a tough demeanor.

Media

Animated series

Kuromi first appeared on the first episode of Onegai My Melody, premiered on April 3rd, 2005[4][8]. Kuromi and Baku escape the guards after stealing the Melody Key and entering a giant musical horn, which brings them to the human world. In the series, she is the rival of My Melody and aims to create Dark Power by collecting 100 Blacknotes, which can ruin the human world and Mariland[2][4].

On June 28, 2023, the official Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube channel released the animated series Kuromi's Pretty Journey. This animation is part of the “One World, Connecting Smiles” campaign, which focuses on introducing new aspects of Sanrio's characters in the digital world[5]. In the first episode, Kuromi receives a picture of Romina, her lost older sister. After discovering that Romina is in the human world, she and Baku begin their journey to find Romina, which leads them to encounter other characters along the way[4][5].

Music

The official Sanrio song Greedy Greedy, part of the #WorldKuromiProject, was released on October 31, 2021[9], and is performed by Junko Takeuchi, the voice actor of Kuromi[10]. The lyrics convey a message about aiming to become the greatest version of oneself. Additionally, there are other versions, including Greedy Greedy English Version (2022) and Greedy Greedy featuring imase, a Japanese singer-songwriter(2022)[11].

Video games

The character Kuromi has appeared in various video games across multiple platforms, including:

Products

Many products featuring Kuromi were launched by Sanrio after her rise in popularity among young audiences. These items helped the character reach a broader fan base and catered to collectors' interests.

The official website of Sanrio offers a wide variety of products, including board games, card games, puzzles, plush figurines, bags, wallets, tumblers, blankets, notebooks, and other items[1][14]. Kuromi has collaborated with several popular brands, including Owndays for eyewear and fashion lines[15], and Samantha Vega and Mary Quant for their luxury designer bags[16]. Which further enhances her global appeal.

Legacy and impact

Due to her unique design and personality, Kuromi ranks among the top 10 characters in the Sanrio Character Ranking every year, securing the third position in 2024[2][16]. Kuromi's popularity has grown significantly beyond her debut, turning her into a cultural icon. She has been featured in a wide range of products and collaborations, and has made notable appearances in animations, music, and video games. Additionally, Kuromi is well-known in both fashion and pop culture[17].

Kuromi is recognized as a distinctive fashion icon, inspiring young individuals with her signature punk-goth style and jagged patterns. She represents a blend of devilish and cute characteristics. Her black and hot pink color scheme, along with her devil tail and skull motifs, has made her a favorite among the goth scene and emo subcultures[7][18].

The KUROMIfy the World Project started with the #WorldKuroMiPlan from Shibuya, Tokyo, on October 31st 2021, Kuromi's birthday[19]. This project aims to create a world where everyone can be the best version of themselves. Kuromi fans, known as Kuromies, participated in activities to promote the character. On Tuesday, October 26th, before the project started, the arrival of Kuromi was announced with over 200 posters put up on the streets of Shibuya. And on October 31st, there was a pop-up store selling official merchandise, with some products that are in collaboration with several popular Japanese apparel brands like Honey Cinnamon, GALET’S, and Secret Honey at SHIBUYA109.[20]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Kuromi: Unraveling the Charm of Sanrio's Mischievous Character". Bokksu. 2024-07-08. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Kuromi". Hello Kitty Wiki. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  3. ^ และวัฒนธรรมความเชื่อที่น่าสนใจจากทั่วโลก, ประกายพร​ วงศ์​วุฒิ​หลงใหลเรื่องราวที่สร้างแรงบันดาลใจ ความเป็นมาของโลกธุรกิจ (2022-07-04). "'คุโรมิ' สาวหวานในคราบ 'ทอมบอย' ที่แฟนด้อมชาวจีนกำลังคลั่ง!". thepeople. Retrieved 2024-10-31. {{cite web}}: zero width space character in |first= at position 9 (help)
  4. ^ a b c d Onegai Mai merodi (Animation, Adventure, Comedy), Aoi Yûki, Sarah Hauser, Mariya Ise, Sanrio, Studio Comet, 2005-04-03, retrieved 2024-10-31{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ a b c Milligan, Mercedes (2023-07-19). "Sanrio Brings 'Kuromi's Pretty Journey' to English-Language YT Channel". Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  6. ^ a b c d "Kuromi". My Melopedia. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  7. ^ a b "8 Facts you didn't know about Kuromi". YumeTwins: The Monthly Kawaii Subscription Box Straight from Tokyo to Your Door!. 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  8. ^ "おねがいマイメロディ". www.tv-osaka.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  9. ^ "「#世界クロミ化計画」始動！10月31日に誕生日を迎えたクロミがアーティストとして新楽曲とMVを公開＆渋谷の街がクロミ色に！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  10. ^ "Greedy Greedy". Kuromi's Pretty Journey Wiki. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  11. ^ "Kuromi makes good on promise to "KUROMIfy the World" with "Greedy Greedy" English version". grape Japan. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  12. ^ "Home | Hello Kitty Island Adventure". Hello Kitty Island A. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ^ "Onegai My Melody: Yume no Kuni no Daibouken". Onegai my melody Wiki. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  14. ^ Sanrio. "Kuromi". Sanrio. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  15. ^ "Kuromi × OWNDAYS". OWNDAYS - ร้านแว่นตา (in Thai). Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  16. ^ a b "Kuromi: All You Need to Know". Blippo. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  17. ^ "Unveiling the World of Kuromi - Kuromi". 2024-04-08. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  18. ^ "What movie is Kuromi in? Journey from animation to screen". Hobiverse. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  19. ^ "「#世界クロミ化計画」始動！10月31日に誕生日を迎えたクロミがアーティストとして新楽曲とMVを公開＆渋谷の街がクロミ色に！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  20. ^ "KUROMIfy the World Project". My Melopedia. 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
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