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Sanrio

Other Sanrio characters

Also known as: Patty & Jimmy, Tuxedo Sam, Hangyodon, Keroppi, Pochacco, Zippy Zoo

Behind Hello Kitty, My Melody and Kiki and Lala, Sanrio created dozens of characters in the 70s and 80s. Some became famous, others only lived for one stationery range: they are often the loveliest surprises of the hunt.

In Japan right now

Other Sanrio characters listings spotted this morning by the radar, not checked by hand. Photos by the sellers.

At a glance

Period
Mostly the 70s and 80s
A few names
Patty & Jimmy (1976), Tuxedo Sam (1979), Hangyodon (1985), Keroppi (1988), Pochacco (1989)
In Japan
サンリオ followed by the character's name in katakana

A big family

In the 70s and 80s, Sanrio kept launching new characters, often for a single range of stationery or tableware. Patty and Jimmy, two inseparable children, date from 1976. Tuxedo Sam, the little penguin in a sailor suit, arrived in 1979. Keroppi the frog and Pochacco the dog followed at the end of the 80s.

Why look for them

These characters are less known in Europe, so their old items often stay affordable. And some were never reissued: an eraser or a notebook bearing their face is very likely to be vintage.

Dating an item

Look for the printed copyright: “© 1976, 1983 SANRIO”, for example, means the character dates from 1976 and the item from 1983. Look at the packaging too: old bags and cards often have a price in yen printed on them.

Tips for dating an item

  1. The 70s and 80sThe copyright printed on the item shows a year, for example “© 1976, 1983 SANRIO”. The most recent one gives the date it was made.
  2. Short-lived rangesMany characters only existed for a few years. An unfamiliar name on an eraser or notebook is often a good sign of age.

Things to collect

  • Stationery (erasers, pencils, notebooks, letter paper)
  • Metal pencil cases and tins
  • Ceramic tableware and cups
  • Money boxes
  • Small gifts never sold in shops

Price guide

The price guide grows with every find: it will appear here once I have enough comparable listings.

Current finds

  • Five translucent pastel erasers, each decorated with an animal, in their bag with a “ZIPPY ZOO ERASER” header card.

    Sanrio · 1983

    Zippy Zoo, five Sanrio animal erasers still in their bag (1983)

    Remember those erasers that were far too pretty to use? These have never left their bag: a dog, a rabbit, a bear, a lion and a hippo, in candy-coloured translucent rubber. Zippy Zoo is one of those small Sanrio lines from the 80s that almost never turn up in Europe, and the set was made in Japan. The header card is slightly torn on the back, but the erasers are untouched. A tiny price for a real piece of an 80s pencil case.

    Toy line
    Other Sanrio characters
    Condition
    Never opened, header card torn on the back, complete
    Listing price
    ¥2,300 · about €13

Guide updated on 27 September 2026.