For fifty years, her facial features have largely remained unchanged. But as Sanrio illustrator Yuko Yamaguchi, who oversaw ...

Hello Kitty turns 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bow-wearing character’s fictional birthday has brought museum exhibits, a theme park spectacle and accolades.

The character is beloved by millions worldwide and has been the face of its parent company, Sanrio, for half a century.

Half a century since the “birth” of pop icon Hello Kitty, the cute character’s fame shows no sign of fading – and she’s still ...