Sanrio has finally announced news about the 36th annual Sanrio Character Ranking. This year’s award event, the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking, will open initial votes on April 9 to May 24 when fans can vote for their favourite character from Sanrio’s roster. As with previous years, the 2021 run will also welcome the “Collaboration Category” of the awards which will feature 27 character entries from those who have collaborated with other companies and businesses over the past year.
Ichigo Shimbun is a monthly magazine published by Sanrio. It not only includes information about the latest character merchandise, but is also the place where the Sanrio Character Ranking first began in 1986. From Sanrio’s long list of over 450 characters, just 80 are entered into the awards each year. Cinnamoroll took first place for the 3rd year in a row at the 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking which we covered in detail, including the initial first round up of winners and second round up.
Normally, the results are announced in-person at a big event. This year’s announcement gathering was originally scheduled for June 8, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now be hosted online instead, and fans will also be able to vote using the new Sanrio members service Sanrio+.
This year’s 80 entrants are now being rolled out over on the official Sanrio Character Awards Twitter page.
This Year’s Award Theme: “The Witness of a New World – Your Support Will Change the Future”
Every Sanrio Character Awards has a theme, and this year’s is, “The Witness of a New World – Your Support Will Change the Future.” The “new world” refers to the future of Sanrio—which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year—that fans will bear witness to. The key visuals for the 2021 Sanrio Character Awards have the characters holding a magnifying glass with which they are peeking into that new world.
New Entrants Announce Everyday On the Official Twitter Page
The Sanrio Character Rankings’ official Twitter page will post the key visuals and personal messages from all 80 entrants on its official Twitter page between February 26 to March 31. Leading this year’s awards ceremony are the popular characters Kuromi, Badtz-Maru, and Hangyodon. Voting opened on February 25.
How to Cast Your Vote
Votes for the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking can be cast online, at Sanrio shops, and for the first time, on the new Sanrio members service Sanrio+. Votes for the Collaboration Category however can only be placed online. Last year’s vote was open to all fans worldwide. It is unconfirmed whether this year will be the same, but stay tuned as we follow the event.
- Online Votes (Smartphone Only) *Cannot be cast on computers or tablets
- Sanrio Shops
- Sanrio Online Shop
- Ichigo Shimbun (May 2021 Issue, on sale April 10 / June 2021 Issue, on sale May 10).
*Ichigo Shimbun voting open from April 10
- Sanrio+ Members Smile Vote (Sanrio Shops/Online Votes)
- Sanrio+ Members Ticket Vote (Online Votes) *More info TBA
- Other Voting Methods (TBA)
Vote With Sanrio+
Sanrio+ allows members to exchange 100 Smiles (the currency on the Sanrio Shop) for two voting chips. Members can exchange a maximum of 1,000 smiles for 20 chips in one go. The chips are spent at the voting box on the Sanrio Shop. One chip counts for a total of three votes.
Additionally, when members first log in to Sanrio+ on the voting website, they can used 50 Smiles to cast one vote. Members can vote with a maximum of 500 smiles in one day. One Smile vote counts for a total of two votes.
Stay tuned for the latest news and updates on the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking.
Information
2021 Sanrio Character Ranking
Running: April 9, 2021 – May 24, 2021 (From April 10 in Ichigo Shimbun)
First Round-Up Announcements: April 14, 2021 at Noon (JST)
Second Round-Up Announcements: May 13, 2021 at Noon (JST)
Winner Announcement: June 8, 2021 (Online event, details TBA)
News Page: https://www.sanrio.co.jp/news/mx-ranking2021-20210225/
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