Sanrio Set to Lose One of Its Most Iconic Character Designers

Sanrio Set to Lose One of Its Most Iconic Character Designers

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that Miyuki Okumura’s departure from Sanrio has left quite an impact on the gaming and anime community. Having been part of the creative force behind one of Sanrio’s most iconic characters, Cinnamonroll, for over two decades, her work has undeniably left a lasting impression on me and countless others.


Miyuki Okumura, renowned for creating Cinnamonroll, one of Sanrio’s most recognizable figures, has declared her departure from the company. On November 10, 2024, she announced via her X account (formerly Twitter) that she would transition to freelance work, focusing on studying and improving her art and writing skills. In her statement, Okumura expressed her desire to explore different creative avenues and rejoin Sanrio in the future with enhanced abilities. She shared her gratitude for the years spent developing characters alongside fans, cherishing each memory as a valuable treasure.

On the following Monday, Sanrio acknowledged and confirmed Okumura’s announcement with a statement expressing appreciation for her time and skills. They invited fans to send letters expressing their feelings about Okumura’s work until December. Over the past 25 years, Okumura has made a significant impact as a designer at Sanrio, with characters like Cinnamonroll gaining immense popularity, reaching the same level of mainstream fame as other Sanrio characters such as Kurumi, My Melody, and even Hello Kitty. Besides creating designs for Cinnamonroll, Okumura was also involved in designing Lloromannic and the members of the fictional idol group Beatcats within Sanrio. In addition to her design work, Okumura held a significant role on the Netflix original anime series Aggretsuko, serving as one of its executive producers.

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Sanrio Set to Lose One of Its Most Iconic Character Designers

Cinnamonroll’s Rise To Fame As One Of Sanrio’s Best Original Characters

First appearing in 2001, Cinnamonroll is a charming and plump puppy with bright blue eyes, chubby cheeks, and a tail shaped like a cinnamon roll. This adorable pooch has become incredibly popular, leading to an abundance of merchandise, and even starring in his own anime movie, manga, and various animated shorts. Cinnamonroll calls Café Cinnamon home, where he resides with friends bearing names like Espresso, Mocha, Milk, Cappucino, and Chiffon. Given the character’s endearing appeal, it comes as no surprise that Cinnamonroll has been one of Sanrio’s most profitable characters for many years. In 2005, the character ranked second in popularity polls behind only Hello Kitty, Sanrio’s flagship character. However, in recent years, Cinnamonroll has surpassed Hello Kitty, taking first place in Sanrio’s 2017-2018 rankings and their 2020-2024 rankings as well.

Beyond just being known for his good looks, Cinnamonroll has expanded his presence in various media platforms. In 2007, Japanese studio Madhouse created a film called “Cinnamon the Movie” featuring Cinnamonroll. More recently, starting from 2023, Cinnamonroll can be seen regularly on Sanrio’s YouTube channel, and in a cooking series alongside famous Japanese actor Ken Yasuda. Additionally, he has his own manga series titled “Fluffy Fluffy Cinnamonroll” and several children’s picture books.

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2024-11-18 21:10