Aggretsuko is a new character from Sanrio, the anime studio behind the Hello Kitty franchise. The cartoon red panda, who is part of the Hello Kitty universe, is an adorable character with a dark side that is likely to resonate with the franchise's Millennial fans.
Hello Kitty is ostensibly for children, but the anime characters have managed to penetrate Millennial culture thanks to a combination of nostalgia and irony. But while most Hello Kitty characters are either children themselves or designed to be appealing for children, Aggretsuko is a Millennial with a backstory that many of her real-life contemporaries can relate to.
The red panda is a 25-year-old living in Tokyo and working as an office associate for a massive trading company. Though she loves where she lives, her cute appearance has made her a pushover with her bosses and coworkers, ultimately pushing her to a breaking point. During her time off, she lets loose by going to a karaoke bar, drinking, and singing heavy metal.
What's Driving This Trend
- Millennial Anime Characters
- Opportunity for creating anime characters that resonate with Millennial culture through a combination of nostalgia and irony.
- Dark Side Characters
- Potential for developing characters with an adorable exterior but a relatable dark side, appealing to Millennial fans.
- Office Culture Representation
- Chance to explore the realities and challenges faced by Millennials in office environments through relatable anime characters.
Who This Affects Most
- Anime and Animation
- Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating new anime characters that align with Millennial culture and resonate with fans.
- Entertainment and Media
- Opportunity to develop and market content that caters to Millennial interests through relatable and multi-dimensional characters.
- Marketing and Branding
- Potential for branding and marketing strategies centered around Millennial culture and the appeal of relatable anime characters.
