My Melody & Kuromi

My Melody and Kuromi are two of Sanrio's most enduring characters, representing a study in contrast that has defined the brand's aesthetic for decades. My Melody, created in 1975, was originally conceived as a counterpart to Hello Kitty, while Kuromi debuted in 2005 as a mischievous rival. The 2025 release of new ONA (Original Net Animation) content featuring the pair reflects Sanrio's ongoing strategy to modernize its legacy characters through digital storytelling, emphasizing the complex, often bickering yet affectionate friendship between the gentle, rabbit-eared protagonist and her edgy, punk-inspired counterpart.

This 2025 iteration leans into contemporary character design sensibilities, focusing on dynamic animation and high-contrast visual styles that align with current internet culture. The creative team at Sanrio aimed to deepen the lore surrounding their dynamic, playing on themes of subculture influence and classic 'rivals-to-friends' tropes. Reception has been characterized by strong engagement from a multi-generational audience, as the animation serves to reintroduce these staple characters to a new cohort of digital-native viewers while maintaining the visual shorthand established by their original designers.