FANS!!!
last updated 11/26/08

Introducing GOTOCHI and Hello Kitty® fan
blogs & web sites from all over the world!!
Our very first featured blog is hellokittyjunkie.com!
We had a chance to interview
Maria, the owner of Hello Kitty Junkie,
to find out more about her cool blog dedicated to Hello Kitty®!

1. When did you become a fan of Hello Kitty®?
Maria: I do not know exactly when I became a fan of Hello Kitty®. I just know I have always adored her! I have pictures of myself as a kid with Hello Kitty® sandals and other Sanrio character goods. (picture: http://www.hellokittyjunkie.com/2008/01/19/sanrio-love-since-day-one/ )
2. What do you like about Hello Kitty®?
Maria: I like too many things about Hello Kitty® (here is a partial list) :
Hello Kitty® reminds me of my childhood (youthful innocence), Hello Kitty® reminds me of Japan (my family and my homeland), Hello Kitty® reminds my family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, , etc. of me!, Hello Kitty® loves everyone, Hello Kitty® is a universal poster child for caring, sharing, happiness, friendship... And all that other good stuff, I grew up with Hello Kitty®, Sanrio brands her to everybody, Hello Kitty® brings people together, Hello Kitty® embodies innocence, sentimentality and harmony, Hello Kitty® promotes "social communication", Hello Kitty® is a pop culture icon, Hello Kitty® is a fashionista.
3. How did you find out about GOTOCHI Hello Kitty®?
Maria: A couple of years ago, I saw pictures online about Hello Kitty® representing all the different prefectures in Japan and thought, "Wow! What an amazing concept!" An awesome blog I look for inspiration is Japan Regional Hello Kitty® ( http://japanhk.blogspot.com/ ). But after looking through the Gotochi Kitty site ( http://gotochikitty.com/ ), I was hooked! My curiosity has heightened after a shop owner I visit showed me a few Gotochi Kitty collection books -- I had to buy them all!
4. Do you have a favorite GOTOCHI Hello Kitty® item/design?
Maria: Just one favorite!? That is a tough question... One of my favorite charms is a Hello Kitty® dressed up as a fish (picture: http://www.hellokittyjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/218_hello_kitty_fish_charm.jpg ). I know this one is super kawaii because I let my Mom pick one charm out of my collection, and she chose this one... Which means yes, I gave it to her! Hello Kitty® dressed up as food is always a yummy treat! I aslo have started to fall in love with Kaburinbo line, in which Hello Kitty® is dressed up as other Sanrio characters!
5. How many GOTOCHI Hello Kitty® items do you have as part of your collection?
Maria: I have a handful of gotochi items -- three books, a few charms and some chopsticks and cups. Because there are thousands of charms, I do not think I will be able to collect them all! But trust me, this is one of my favorite series and if I could, I would have every single thing from this series!
6. Where do you shop to get your Hello Kitty® items?
Maria: I shop for Hello Kitty® stuff anywhere! I have bought things from Sanrio, Japan LA, Neotype Station, Happy Six, online shops, eBay, other collectors, Anime Expo, Target, Hot Topic, Toys R Us, Neiman Marcus... My Hello Kitty® radar goes off pretty much everywhere! I prefer to purchase things in person because I am a huge fan of instant gratification! But there are some things that you just have to order online. I have also found some wonderful pen pals through my blog ( http://hellokittyjunkie.com ) and my social network (http://hellokittyjunkies.ning.com ).
7. Do you have a Hello Kitty® lucky charm you always carry with you?
Maria: They are not really lucky charms, but I do carry these things with me when I leave the house:  my Kimora Lee Simmons x Hello Kitty® diamond ring, my Hello Kitty® credit card and some Hello Kitty® charms on my bag. I carry these things with me because I get to show off my love for Hello Kitty® without having to hit people over the head with it
8. Do you have a Hello Kitty® tattoo?
Maria:  I stick to the temporary Hello Kitty® tattoos because I am too scared to get a permanent one! (picture: http://www.hellokittyjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/310_kittys_bday_08.jpg)
 9. What Hello Kitty® item do you want the most right now?
Maria: The Hello Kitty® item I want most right now is a bag from the 2009 tokidoki for Hello Kitty® collection. I have not actually seen a bag, but I am just really hoping for it since I missed out on the first tokidoki for Hello Kitty® bag! I have seen the artwork for this collection and I am in love with anything Simone Legno (creator of tokidoki) designs! I always want Gotochi Kitty charms -- but that pretty much goes without saying. And... I really want a large Hello Kitty® plush -- a life-size one is ideal!
 10. Is your room filled with Hello Kitty®?
Maria: My room has Hello Kitty® sprinkled here and there. It is pretty messy and I have many things packed up... I would love to share a picture when my room is a lot cleaner!
**Thank you for the interview! Please check out my blog ( http://hellokittyjunkie.com ) and my social network ( http://hellokittyjunkies.ning.com )!
Thank you, Maria!! We are amazed by your passion and dedication to Hello Kitty®!

Know someone that's a huge fan of GOTOCHI or Hello Kitty® like Maria? Send us an e-mail to info@gentecal.com to be featured on our web site!!