She’s arguably one of Japan’s best-loved creations. She’s had a varied career: animated television star, former Japanese tourism ambassador, and two-time visitor to the international space station.

She’s one of Japan’s best-loved creations, adorning some 50,000 products sold across 130 countries and earning billions of dollars for parent company, Sanrio. But it’s important to note what she’s not ...

She weighs three apples and stands five apples tall. She enjoys baking cookies and dreams of being a pianist or poet. And now, despite her ageless appearance, she is 50 years old. Friday marks half a ...