Who Is Cinnamoroll? Facts, Friends, and Where to Find the Merch

Nov 24, 2022

Are you a fan, collector, or just curious about Sanrio characters? This guide is for anyone interested in learning about Cinnamoroll—one of Sanrio's most beloved and globally popular characters. Understanding Cinnamoroll matters because of his unique character traits, his worldwide fanbase, and his special place in kawaii culture. Whether you're looking to start a collection, find exclusive merch, or simply want to know why this flying puppy has captured so many hearts, you'll find everything you need to know right here.

Who Is Cinnamoroll?

Cinnamoroll is a male puppy character known for his plump, curly tail (which resembles a cinnamon roll), long ears that allow him to fly, and his shy, friendly personality. He was born on a fluffy cloud high in the sky and drifted down to earth, landing near Cafe Cinnamon. His five main friends are Mocha, Chiffon, Espresso, Cappuccino, and Milk. Designer Miyuki Okumura debuted him in 2002, and he lives at the fictional Cafe Cinnamon. In Sanrio's 2026 character ranking, he finished No. 2, right behind Pompompurin, after topping the same fan vote five years in a row. Below, you'll get his origin story, his five best friends, how he stacks up against Hello Kitty, and where to find Japan-sourced Cinnamoroll merch.

Is Cinnamoroll a Dog or a Rabbit?

Cinnamoroll is a dog. His long ears make people guess rabbit, but Sanrio describes him as a puppy, and the ears double as wings. Early concept art reportedly leaned rabbit-like before Sanrio asked Okumura for a redesign.

What Are the Quick Facts About Cinnamoroll?

Here are the essentials at a glance:

Name: Cinnamoroll (also called Cinnamon)
Species: Male puppy
Tail: Plump and curly, shaped like a cinnamon roll
Ears: Long and floppy, allowing him to fly
Birthday: March 6
Designer: Miyuki Okumura
Debut: 2002, as "Baby Cinnamon"
Home: Cafe Cinnamon
Best friend: Cappuccino
Favorite food: Cinnamon rolls
Special power: Flying with his ears
2026 Sanrio Character Ranking: No. 2

What Is Cinnamoroll's Origin Story?

Cinnamoroll's origin story starts with a cloud. Okumura reportedly took inspiration from a cloud that looked like a cinnamon roll, then designed a puppy to match. He officially debuted in 2002 as "Baby Cinnamon" and was renamed Cinnamoroll in 2003 after a naming overlap with another character brand. Sanrio marked his 20th anniversary in 2022. Inside the story, he spends his days napping on the cafe terrace and tagging along on his friends' adventures.

Who Are Cinnamoroll's Friends?

Cinnamoroll's five main friends are all puppies named after cafe drinks and desserts: Cappuccino, Chiffon, Mocha, Espresso, and Milk. Each friend has a unique personality and role in the group.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is Cinnamoroll's best friend at the cafe. He loves naps as much as Cinnamoroll does, lives across the street, and gets his name from his cappuccino-colored face.

Chiffon

Chiffon is the outgoing one. She loves being the center of attention, and her fluffy ears look like chiffon cake.

Mocha

Mocha is the fashion-minded friend. She dreams of becoming a designer, wears pink flowers by her ears, and is part of Cinnamoangels, the puppy idol-group side series that debuted in 2005.

Espresso

Espresso is the brainy one. He is a dog-show champion with curly ears and, per Sanrio's story, a blanket he can't sleep without.

Milk

Milk is the baby of the group. This tiny puppy loves milk and cinnamon rolls, looks up to Cinnamoroll, and keeps a pacifier close.

What Makes Cinnamoroll Different From Other Sanrio Characters?

Unique Abilities

Cinnamoroll stands out because he can fly using his long ears, a trait that sets him apart from most other Sanrio characters. His plump, curly tail shaped like a cinnamon roll is another signature feature.

World and Relationships

He has a full cafe world around him and plays the shy, friendly one in a very welcoming cast. His close relationships with his five friends—Mocha, Chiffon, Espresso, Cappuccino, and Milk—are central to his story.

Media and Merchandise Appeal

Cinnamoroll's world is bigger than a single mascot: two side series, Cinnamoangels (2005) and Lloromannic (2007), plus a manga series, an anime film, and short animations. The look is part of the pull too. Blue eyes, pink cheeks, and a pastel palette make him easy to spot on a shelf, which helps explain why collectors chase his merch.

How Popular Is Cinnamoroll?

Cinnamoroll is one of Sanrio's most popular characters: he finished No. 2 in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking (Sanrio's annual fan vote), after taking No. 1 five years in a row from 2020 to 2024. According to Sanrio's own 2026 ranking announcement, Pompompurin took first, Cinnamoroll second, and Pochacco third, so three dogs swept the top three. Kuromi came in fourth and Hello Kitty fifth. Hello Kitty is still Sanrio's flagship face, but in the 2026 vote Cinnamoroll outranked her. Want to meet the third-place pup? Read our guide to Pochacco. Want the flagship story? Here's everything to know about Hello Kitty.

Where Can You See Cinnamoroll in Japan?

The easiest place to meet Cinnamoroll in Japan is Cinnamoroll Cafe in Shinjuku, Tokyo, a permanent character cafe that opened in 2017. The menu leans on Cinnamoroll-themed dishes like omu rice (omelet over rice), beef stroganoff, and shortcake, and the cafe sells merch you can only get on site. That location-only angle is exactly why Japan-exclusive Sanrio goods are such a big deal for collectors: plenty of it never reaches shelves outside Japan.

What Cinnamoroll Merch Can You Buy at Sugoi Mart?

Sugoi Mart sources its Sanrio merch directly from Japan, and the Cinnamoroll lineup includes everyday carry and desk items. Start with the Sanrio Onigiri Canvas Mini Tote Bag: Cinnamoroll if you want something you'll actually carry, then add the Sanrio Glitter Clear Cup: Cinnamoroll for your desk or shelf. Sanrio listings run on limited quantities, so if one sells out, the Sanrio collection is the fastest way to see what's still in stock. New to the whole cute-character universe? Our guide to the rise of kawaii culture explains how this style took over the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cinnamoroll a dog?

Yes. Cinnamoroll is a male puppy in Sanrio's lineup. His long ears look rabbit-like, but they double as wings that let him fly.

When is Cinnamoroll's birthday?

Cinnamoroll's birthday is March 6. In Sanrio's story, he was born on a cloud on that date and later drifted down to Cafe Cinnamon.

Who created Cinnamoroll?

Sanrio designer Miyuki Okumura created Cinnamoroll. He debuted in 2002 as "Baby Cinnamon" and was renamed Cinnamoroll in 2003.

Is Cinnamoroll more popular than Hello Kitty?

In Sanrio's 2026 character ranking, Cinnamoroll placed No. 2 and Hello Kitty placed No. 5. Hello Kitty remains Sanrio's flagship character, but the ranking measures fan votes, not overall sales. Pompompurin took No. 1 that year.

Who are Cinnamoroll's friends?

Cinnamoroll's main friends are:

Cappuccino
Chiffon
Mocha
Espresso
Milk

All five are puppies named after cafe drinks and desserts, and they spend their days around Cafe Cinnamon.

Where can I buy Cinnamoroll merch outside Japan?

Sugoi Mart sells Sanrio merch sourced directly from Japan, including Cinnamoroll items. Browse the Sanrio collection to see what's in stock right now.

Where to Buy Cinnamoroll Merch

Ready to bring a little cloud-drifting cafe mascot home? Sugoi Mart ships legitimate, Japan-sourced Sanrio merch worldwide, so you're skipping the knockoffs. Grab a canvas tote, add a glitter cup, and you've got a Cinnamoroll starter set in a single order. Start with one cute pick and let the shelf do the rest. Keep going and you can build a whole cafe crew, from Cinnamoroll's friends to other Sanrio favorites. Ready to start your collection? Browse the Sugoi Mart Sanrio collection and see which Cinnamoroll goodies are in stock!