Dear Daniel isn’t just any cute personality—he’s the one who makes Hello Kitty’s world even more special! With his signature spiky hair, cool British style, and passion for dancing, he adds that extra spark to Hello Kitty’s life and the entire Sanrio family. While Hello Kitty often takes the spotlight, Dear Daniel shines in his own way, bringing his unique charm. So, if you haven’t met him yet, now’s the perfect time to discover the magic that Dear Daniel brings!
Dream: To be a photographer or a celebrity
Japanese name: ディアダニエル (Pronounced Dia-danieru)
Full name: Daniel Starr (ダニエル・スター)
Birthday: May 3
Place of birth: London, England
Gender: Male
Species: Cat (Japanese Bobtail)
Favorite food: Cheesecake and yogurt
Hobbies: Taking photos of animals
WHO IS DEAR DANIEL?
Imagine a charming white cat with spiky bangs that are hard to miss—that’s Dear Daniel! Inspired by a cute bobtail cat, Dear Daniel is a personification of a cat created by Sanrio. His full name is Daniel Starr, but you can simply call him Daniel. This cheerful kitty-like cutie has a soft, sentimental side. He’s the kind who might tear up during a sad movie or feel overjoyed just by seeing his friends smile.
Daniel loves taking pictures of nature and animals, and he dreams of becoming a photographer one day. Besides photography, Daniel is also interested in music and dancing. He’s good at playing the piano and he’s an excellent ballet dancer—so much so that he even had a dancing stint in New York!
THE MEANING OF DEAR DANIEL
Did you know that Dear Daniel got his name from a character in a story? The name “Daniel” comes from the main character in a Hollywood film called “Melody of Love.” It’s a sweet name that fits the Sanrio cutie perfectly because just like the character in the book, Dear Daniel is kind, thoughtful, and always there for his friends. Plus, adding “Dear” to his name makes it sound extra special because he’s someone Hello Kitty really cares about!
WHEN WAS DEAR DANIEL CREATED?
In 1993, Dear Daniel was introduced as a baby in the Baby Kitty series, giving fans a peek into Hello Kitty’s early days. But it wasn’t until 1999 that he appeared as a grown-up and became Hello Kitty’s boyfriend, making the year Daniel’s official debut year.So, how did Dear Daniel come to be? Well, in the early 1990s, popular Japanese artist Namie Amuro announced to the public that she had a boyfriend, which became hot news. This inspired Yuko Yamaguchi, the Sanrio artist who created Hello Kitty, to think that Kitty might become even more popular if she had a boyfriend too. And so, Daniel was created as Kitty White’s special friend, and he’s been charming everyone ever since!
HOW TALL IS DEAR DANIEL?
Sanrio has a knack for measuring their characters by fruit! According to this Japanese company, Daniel Starr is as tall as four melons stacked on top of each other. In illustrations, you’ll notice he’s just a bit taller than Hello Kitty. Want to learn how tall she is? Check out our complete guide to Hello Kitty!
MEET DEAR DANIEL’S DAD
Daniel grew up in a family of four that had a strong influence on his life and interests. His dad is a photographer and traveled frequently for work, which sparked Dear Daniel’s interest in photography. While details about his mother and younger brother remain a mystery, it’s clear that Dear Daniel’s dad played a big role in shaping who Daniel is today.
WHAT IS DEAR DANIEL KNOWN FOR?
Everyone knows Dear Daniel as Hello Kitty’s boyfriend! They’ve been friends since they were kittens, and he even gave her a pet hamster as a gift! He has traveled all over the world, including Africa, and explored exciting places, but he came back home to be with Hello Kitty from New York. Though Daniel has made a name for himself, he’s still Kitty’s perfect match, the one who makes her smile the most!
WHO DOES DEAR DANIEL HAVE A CRUSH ON?
Well, it should come as no surprise that this Sanrio cutie has a big crush on his girlfriend, Hello Kitty! He thinks she’s the sweetest and cutest girl ever. Daniel loves spending time with Kitty, and they always have the best adventures together. He’s totally head over heels for Hello Kitty!
