"Happy birthday!" THE 2000s: THE COOL FACTOR The growing worldwide popularity of Japanese animation and comics helped Hello Kitty become cool, not just cute -- or "cute-cool" as Yano puts it.

Ironically, Hello Kitty sums up all the pastel-coloured cuteness of Japanese whimsy, her mute face peering out from keyrings, crockery, handbags, mobile phone accessories etc etc operating as ...