As Hello Kitty turns 50, she is still one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in the world, credited with spreading Japan’s "cute" or kawaii culture and paving the way for franchises including Pokemon and Super Mario. She is adorable, and she is sweet. She is surrounded by loyal friends and family including My Melody, Dear Daniel, and Kitty. She has done collabs with brands from Nintendo (Animal Crossing) to Balenciaga and Sephora. This TIME Hello Kitty special issue celebrates Sanrio’s bewhiskered star with the inside story of her success and a tribute to the ardent fans and collectors who made it possible. Please note that this product is an authorized edition published by the Dotdash Meredith Corporation and sold by Amazon. This edition is printed using a high quality matte interior paper and printed on demand for immediate fulfillment.