Supermarket find.

[blue_bunny_paz]

It's terrifying the number of things Hello Kitty shows up on. Electric guitars, shoes, jewelry, even marital aids! Somehow I'm less disturbed with Pop-Tarts than some of the other list.

Marital aids? Hello Kitty? Does.not.compute.

It's worse than you think. It has pointy ears. I accidentally found one in my friend's Hello Kitty collection. Squee.

Beware pretty covers. This leads to Coco Pops (do you call them cocoa rocks?) logic.

"I bought the Toom Raider movie because I liked the cover. I liked the cover of Coco Pops and they are good. I feel cheated."

[IndianInlaw]

Does Hello Kitty actually do anything?  I just see her (it?) depicted as just standing around.

[Eleanorq]

Someday it will. Hello Kitty hasn't been around constantly for 20+ years (though it feels like it). It was resurrected, as were some other 80s icons.

She has in Japan.  America goes through phases of love/hate, but Hello Kitty has been consistantly popular in Japan for over 30 years.  Even if she does become less popular here in the States, she'll be back.

Does Hello Kitty actually do anything?  I just see her (it?) depicted as just standing around.

According to Wikipedia, she in several cartoons and videogames.  She had a show called Hello Kitty and Friends that aired in America.

[Sandi Papaya]

Hello Kitty is everywhere. I have trouble going into a store without seeing something that has Hello Kitty on it.

I will be glad when this fad fades.

This "fad" has been around for the last 32 years and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

I should know. I own an original Hello Kitty stuffed doll from when she was introduced to the U.S. market in 1976, still in near-mint condition, still in the original vinyl drawstring bag she came in. I have several other Sanrio items from the late '70s and early '80s my mom bought for me when I was a little girl. I still collect Sanrio stationery and notepads.

Sanrio is a merchandising powerhouse. I can't say I own a Hello Kitty toaster, guitar, waffle maker or any of many Hello Kitty housewares and (ahem) accessories, but I love the Hello Kitty stuff I do have. A lot of it is now rare and very collectible.

[IndianInlaw]

I have to confess.

I bought the Hello Kitty Pop Tarts because they were on clearance.

[JoyinVirginia]

I was in Wal-Mart yesterday, buying groceries.  I always buy store brand Pop Tarts because the name brand ones are too sweet.
Anyways, I noticed they now have Hello Kitty Pop Tarts.
Regular Pop Tarts aren't enough.  Now they've dragged in Hello Kitty.
The end is near.

Watch it when you talk about Hello Kitty! What in the world is wrong with having Hello Kitty Pop Tarts? I have a Hello Kitty waffle maker - you can eat adorable Hello Kitty shaped mini waffles!
Nobody better say anything about my Sponge Bob either!
Joy in Virginia
Edited to add my real affection is for the Power Puff Girls! Hello Kitty does nice gentle friend things with her friends - let's go on a picnic! Let's have a sleep-over!
The Power Puff Girls, in contrast, rock! They fight Fuzzy Lumpkins, MojoJojo, the Rowdy Rough Boys, and other no-good-niks!