Sanrio, the company behind the iconic Hello Kitty products, plans to build a following and a movie around Cinnamon, Sanrios puppy character, the company announced at the Tokyo International Anime Fair.
Sanrios last animated film hit theaters in 1983. Since then Hello Kitty has become a worldwide phenomenon, with more than 50,000 products on sale in 60 countries.
The Hello Kitty dynasty began in 1974 when Sanrio designer Ikuko Shimizu placed the moon-faced cartoon cat on a coin purse.
Posted: May 6, 2006, 5 a.m. EST