Sanrio has officially launched a new project: Happilina Friends, where fresh new characters vie for your affection to secure a permanent spot on the Sanrio roster. While the official website calls this ranking a “special project where you can meet new characters,” we know a battle royal when we see one. This is a survival-of-the-cutest showdown that officially kicked off on March 25, 2026, and we’re baiting our breath to see the final results.

Through a brutal internal design competition, 10 tributes have been selected to face the ultimate arena — the marketplace. They’ll be judged in three categories: the Always Together Award, the Collector’s Choice Award and the Favorite Story Award. Their performance will decide whether they’ll be granted a full-scale debut or vanish into the archives.

The tribute voting period has closed as of May 24, and the tracking data has been ruthless. We’ve already witnessed the panic of the initial results on April 14 and the shifting alliances of the interim results on May 12. Now, the remaining tributes wait in agony for the final results on Sunday, June 28 at 1:00 p.m. JST, where the true victors will be revealed. The fallen tributes will quietly fade from memory, recollection of their brief existence lingering only in the hearts of Sanrio superfans. 

May the kawaii vibes be ever in their favor.

List of Contents:

The Contenders: All New Sanrio Character Candidates 

Let the games begin. Here are the 10 candidates vying for children’s adoration and their parents’ hard-earned yen:

Onegaimashu

A magical fairy born from a fluffy white cloud, Onegaimashu — nicknamed “Mashu” — is a total newbie on Earth. As adorable as Mashu is, though, there’s something vaguely ominous about the fairy’s ability to grant wishes.

A fluffy newborn fairy who has no concept of morals and a genie-like ability to make dreams come true? We just hope Mashu doesn’t get involved with any evil organizations.

Chokochilla

This fluffy, happy-go-lucky chinchilla with squishy cheeks once boasted a pure-white coat of fur — but after eating too many strawberries, her ears and tail ended up tinted pink. According to her bio, she “is proud of her fluffy fur and squishy little cheeks” and “loves to sit in the palm of your hand and chat away.”

A yapping, confident diva? She must be a Leo.

Kawaii Sprinkles

Kawaii Sprinkles is a trio of unicorns named Fujimuu, Ruly and Haru, and they deliver the little joys of life — the sort that make you feel like you’ve just put colorful sprinkles on your ice cream. The unicorns — best friends, obviously — have horns that look like waffle cones.

They’re adorable, but the fact that they’re contending as a group of three seems like an unfair advantage.

Chouchoumagirouge

A girl who dreams of being a grown-up, Chouchoumagirouge — who goes by Chouchou — has access to magical cosmetics that will allow her to transform. The problem is, she’s too timid to give them a go. If she manages to summon her courage to use the makeup, maybe, just maybe, she’ll become her ideal self.

Since all divas know what it’s like to raid their mom’s makeup stash while looking adoringly at fashion magazines, this character is relatable and cute, but … surely it’s a rabbit and not a little girl, right? Either way — manifest, girl.

Nemrytale

Nemrytale is a pair of sleepy fairies, one born from soft blankets (NemuNemu) and the other from a pillow (Shippo). NemuNemu is always sleepy and half-asleep, while Shippo is extremely shy. Bringing deep, peaceful sleep from Nemry Land, they might even show up on your bed tonight. Which is low-key creepy — kind of like Santa Claus knowing your every move.

But in this timeline? If a visit from the Nemrytale fairies gets you eight hours of sleep without the need for expensive sleep aids, we’ll take it.

Grumpynivee

This adorable bunny with a permanent scowl also goes by the nickname “Nivee.” But never fear —  Grumpynivee is only frowning because she’s shy and secretly really wants to be your friend.

A socially anxious bunny with an RBF? Grumpynivee is clearly a kindred spirit and most definitely gets our vote.

PowaPowaPowari

PowaPowaPowari — aka Powari — is a “fluffy creature” that traveled across the cosmos “just to meet you.” Neither a dog nor a cat, Powari is just an … unidentifiable, extraterrestrial creature. Sanrio is really pushing the limits of the “cute fluffball” concept.

Related: Did the entertainment giant really think it could just mask the fact that Powari is a straight-up alien that the world’s space agencies would love to get their hands on for questioning, quarantining and more nefarious pursuits? We’re not saying this is a spy from deep space, but we’re also not not saying it either.

Nyamnyamnew

A white cat who can cast spells, Nyamnyamnew can transform into anything she wants by chanting “Nyamu nyamu nyu.” While Sanrio claims she uses her “mysterious” spells to “cheer others on,” are we sure she’s truly dedicated to using her powers for good? This is an incredibly powerful cat, after all, and the stakes are sky-high.

If Nyamnyamnew finds herself losing as the competition draws to a close, will she turn ferocious feline to secure her place on the Sanrio roster?

Luna & Oliver

Luna and Oliver are the twin grandchildren of a blue ogre who disappeared, found acceptance with humans and started a family. According to Sanrio, ogres and humans now live together peacefully. But back to the twins: They’re super into Harajuku style and fashion, and they even bedazzle their horns.

It’s clear that Luna and Oliver are drawing inspiration from Kiki and Rara, Sanrio’s successful Little Twin Stars characters from the 1970s. What fascinates us even more? The lore. Who knew that in the modern Sanrio universe, ogres have joined humanity and can even have families? Truly, radical acceptance hits every time.

Rukarundecor

Rukarundecor is a white dolphin living deep in the ocean in Decorun Town, and he loves to decorate everything and everyone. The dolphin, who also goes by Rukarun, uses a piping bag filled with “mysterious fresh cream” to decorate everyone, which supposedly makes the decorated party feel “sparkly, excited and full of energy.” 

Yeah … we’re not going to ask Sanrio what they meant by that.

Who Will Survive?

The fate of these 10 new characters is in the hands of the public. Will Onegaimashu grant too many wishes and cause the decline of humanity as we know it? Will Rukarundecor cover the world with “magical cream”? Or will the Nemrytale fairies fall asleep and wake up in the Sanrio warehouse, long forgotten? Only time will tell. 

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Updated On June 3, 2026