Pompompurin is a loveable golden retriever from Sanrio, known for his iconic brown beret and cheerful personality. Pompompurin’s journey to fame began in 1996 when Sanrio held a contest to come up with a new dog character, similar to how they created Keroppi years before. Out of all the creative ideas, the design of a friendly and relaxed golden retriever stood out the most and impressed the Sanrio team. He first appeared in the July 1996 issue of “Strawberry News” under the name “Boku, Pudding,” but it was later changed to Pompompurin. His new name came from the word “purin,” which means pudding in Japanese, showing his love for sweet desserts. In 1997, only a year after his appearance, Pompompurin became very popular and took first place in the annual Sanrio Character Ranking, surpassing even long-time favorites.

Pompompurin has become a star not only in merchandise but also in anime, TV shows, social media, and special Sanrio-themed events. He’s appeared in the animated series “Hello Kitty and Friends” and in different Sanrio-themed specials, where he shines alongside other Sanrio characters like Kuromi and Keroppi. Pompompurin’s worldwide popularity shows how lovable he is to people everywhere. As a golden retriever, a breed known for its friendly, loyal, and affectionate nature, Pompompurin embodies qualities that connect deeply with people across cultures. Fan communities, both online and in real life, have embraced Pompompurin’s cheerful spirit, sharing fan art and creating themed-merchandise to celebrate their shared love for the golden retriever boy.