Meet Pochacco: Sanrio's Lovable and Sporty Puppy

Aug 21, 2024by Vince Novoa

Step into the delightful world of Pochacco, Sanrio's beloved sporty pup. Known for his athletic wear and charming nature, Sanrio Pochacco is one of the cutest dogs in the Sanrio universe. Though he was first introduced in 1989, this beloved dog remains playful and puppylike as he never ages in his world.

This character has appeared in many Sanrio shows over the years, and even has one named after him (Pochacco). With his continued popularity, it's no wonder he appears throughout many types of merchandise, from plushies to tote bags, accessories, and keychains. A large array of Pochacco merch can be found at Sugoi Mart, the best online shop for cute Sanrio merchandise and Pochacco products.

Below, we explore this kawaii character, from his creation to his personality, friends, and even where to get cute Pochacco merchandise.

The Origin and History of Pochacco

Sanrio Pochacco first appeared on February 29, 1989, making him a leap-year baby. This sporty puppy was born in Uguisu Yokocho (Nightingale Lane). He was created by Minoru Onoue, the same Sanrio artist who created the characters of Goropikadon, a group of cavepeople. This character was created after Sanrio lost the rights to Peanuts. It is said that Pochacco is modeled after fan favorite Snoopy.

Initially, Pochacco Sanrio was called The Yorimichi Dog. Though he is most often referred to as Pochacco now, he still has The Yorimichi Dog as a nickname, among others. At the beginning, he also had a different appearance, which did not include clothes. Pochacco was also more dog-like in the beginning. However, in the 90s, he started wearing sporty human clothes and became interested in various activities, such as long walks, eating banana ice cream, and enjoying a wide array of sports.

Pochacco's Characteristics and Personality

One significant aspect of Pochacco's design is its distinctly minimalistic style. This adorable white dog does not have a mouth but is still able to express himself through movements of his long ears and eyes. As most dogs do, this cute character also has a short tail.

Another significant characteristic of Pochacco Sanrio is his love of sports of all kinds! You'll often see him playing various sports, from basketball to soccer. He also enjoys skateboarding and riding his motorscooter. Because of his friendly, energetic nature, he often plays sports games with his many friends.

Did you know this cute puppy now lives in Uguisu Alley? His new home allows him to join his friends for sports and other athletic activities nearby. Besides playing sports and spending time with his friends, Pochacco loves desserts! In particular, his favorite treat is banana ice cream. However, he still enjoys anything sweet.

Pochacco's Relationships with Other Sanrio Characters

While Pochacco is a popular character, he has one best friend named choppy. This adorable mouse character is loyal, always appearing at Pochacco's sports games to cheer him on. Sanrio Pochacco also has a girlfriend, named Pochamii. This character is also a white dog, though instead of sporty gear, she wears a pink bow and dress.

The following are a few more important characters in the Pochacco Sanrio world.

Popple

Another of Pochacco's close friends is Popple, a kawaii white duck who loves to fly around. This studious duck is typically gentle unless she gets stressed out!

Monmon

Monmon is another kawaii character and friend of Pochacco. This tiny squirrel is known for being curious. His favorite activity is collecting typical squirrel snacks, which include nuts and acorns.

Pi-chans

The Pi-chans are actually not a single character but a group of three singing sisters who are also chicks. Piyo, Pico, and Peep are charming and a bit naughty.

In addition to Pochacco's own group of friends, he is also part of a separate friend group within the Sanrio world known as Hapidanbui. This group includes six adorable boy Sanrio characters, including Keroppi, Tuxedosam, and Pekkle. They have one goal in life: to spread happiness to everyone they meet!

Interesting Facts and Trivia About Pochacco

Learn more about Sanrio Pochacco with these fun facts about the character!

Pochacco is named after the Japanese word "pocha pocha," which translates to chubby. Though he plays quite a few sports, this adorable dog has a rounded appearance, hence his name!
Besides sports and eating, Pochacco also loves to nap in cozy spots.
He often appears on the show Hello Kitty's Paradise, where he has adventures with the beloved Hello Kitty.
This sporty character did not start skateboarding until the 1990s!
Summer and spring are Pachocco's favorite seasons since these two seasons allow him to eat banana ice cream.
In the 1990s, the official Japanese Sanrio website released a song that was meant to be sung while drawing Pochacco. The song includes eight lines in total. It's no longer on the website but can still be found online.
This character is voiced by two different voice actors on the shows The Adventures of Hello Kitty and Friends and Hello Kitty and Friends Super Cute Adventures.
Pochacco has appeared in two video games, one of which focuses solely on his adventures (Pochacco: The Yorimichi Dog).
This cute character has appeared in many merchandise collaborations with big brands like Forever 21 and Funko.
The Yorimichi Dog even has popup cafes inspired by him in Japan, typically including Pochacco-shaped food and drinks.

Pochacco's Popularity in Sanrio Character Rankings

After Sanrio Pochacco was released, he remained at the number one spot for the Sanrio Character Rankings from 1991 to 1995. From then on, his position has shifted quite a bit from first place to fifteenth. However, even with his constantly changing annual rankings, he remains a favorite among Sanrio fans because of his adorable nature. In the past seven years (including 2024), Pochacco Sanrio has remained in the top 10. This super cute character even achieved second place this year.

Pochacco Merchandise on Sugoi Mart

Easily procure adorable Sanrio Pochacco merch on Sugoi Mart, where you'll find an array of plushies, accessories, stationery, and more, all featuring this sporty puppy. Many of the items are Japan-exclusive, making them an ideal gift for yourself and your loved ones. You'll also find limited-edition goodies based on certain seasons or holidays.

Here are a few must-sees at Sugoi Mart.

Sanrio Retro Pochacco Plush

This adorable Pochacco plush features a retro athletic style with a cute brown shirt and fluffy hair. Add this Sanrio Retro Pochacco Plush to a Sanrio collection, or simply cuddle him.

Sanrio Blind Box Pochacco House

Build Pochacco's home piece by piece with this adorable Sanrio Blind Box Pochacco House. Each of the eight designs includes Pochacco in a different area of his home. The designs feature the cute puppy finding tasty veggies in the garden, getting ready to skateboard, and preparing for the ultimate nap. Each box contains a surprise set of Pochacco accessories and furniture. See if you can collect all eight designs!

Sanrio Nanoblock: Pochacco

This fun toy lets you build Pochacco with Nanoblocks! When you're done, you'll have crafted a block version of this cute puppy dog. This Sanrio Nanoblock: Pochacco comes with 130 pieces in total. See how fast you can put Pochacco back together!

Sanrio Pochacco 2-Way Tote Bag

Enhance your daily style with the versatile Pochacco Tote Bag, a delightful companion that can be carried 2 different ways: by hand or worn over the shoulder, thanks to its detachable strap. This robust canvas bag offers more storage capacity than is immediately apparent!

Material: Cotton

Dimensions:
• Body: approx 21.5×15×21.5 cm / 8.5x5.9x8.5 inches.
• Hand-Carry Strap Length: 28 cm / 11 inches.
• Strap Length: adjustable 72-135 cm / 28.3-53.1 inches.

Conclusion

With his cute minimalistic design, fun athletic wear, and a myriad of hobbies, Pochacco remains one of the most charming and lovable characters released by Sanrio. No wonder he's remained a favorite among fans for 30+ years!

Don't forget to share your experiences with Pochacco (including your favorite Pochacco merch) online and tag @sugoimart. We love seeing Pochacco fans in action!

If you don't have any Pochacco merch yet or want to boost your collection, head to Sugoi Mart to bring a touch of cuteness to your life. Here, you'll find Sugoi Mart's Sanrio Collection, which includes a plethora of Sanrio and Pochacco merchandise. With stationery, accessories, toys, and plushies galore, you'll have trouble stopping at one item!

Subscribe to Sugoi Mart's newsletter for updates on new Sanrio products, plus exclusive offers!