The game leverages the massive appeal of the Sanrio IP. Players can unlock and play as a variety of characters, including but not limited to:

Unlocking characters is done through progressing through the levels and accumulating Happiness points, adding a light collection mechanic to the game.

In a world often dominated by breaking news alerts, economic forecasts, and the relentless hum of digital notifications, the idea of a "happiness parade" might sound naive to some. But to millions of fans across the globe, the Hello Kitty and Friends Happiness Parade is not merely a children’s entertainment show; it is a radical act of joy. It is a moving art installation where Kawaii culture meets Broadway-level choreography, and where the silence of a character (Hello Kitty doesn’t have a mouth) speaks louder than any speech.

This article dives deep into the magic of the Happiness Parade, exploring its origins, its star-studded cast of Sanrio characters, the sensory spectacle of the event, and why this decades-old franchise continues to sell out arenas and theme parks in 2025.

Depending on the "NSP" version, the parade may feature rarer characters like Pochacco (the sporty dog), Pompompurin (the golden retriever with a pudding cap), Keroppi (the frog), and even Chococat. For the 50th anniversary tours, vintage characters like Little Twin Stars (Kiki & Lala) act as narrators, projected onto scrims of fog before the physical parade begins.

Research from Hiroshima University suggests that viewing "kawaii" (cute) images increases focus and reduces cortisol levels. The Happiness Parade weaponizes this. The repetitive waving, the symmetrical faces, the pastel colors—it induces a state of "soft fascination," similar to what you feel when watching a campfire or waves on a beach.