Maybe you remember her from a random sticker sheet in 2004. Or maybe you've seen the "retro" aesthetic taking over your TikTok feed lately. Honestly, Usa Hana—or Usahana, depending on how your keyboard feels that day—is one of those Sanrio characters that perfectly captures a specific era of Y2K optimism. She isn't a cat. She isn't a frog. She’s a little colorful bunny with a name that literally combines "Usagi" (rabbit) and "Hana" (flower).
She was a massive deal.
Then she kind of... vanished. For a decade, she was relegated to the back shelves of Sanrio Surprises stores while Hello Kitty and My Melody took the spotlight. But something is shifting. In 2024 and 2025, we’ve seen a massive surge in "nostalgia branding," and Sanrio is finally digging into their archives to bring back the characters that defined the early 2000s.
The Birth of the Multi-Colored Rabbit
Sanrio released Usahana in 2001. That’s a specific vibe, right? It was the tail end of the rave-influenced, bright-neon aesthetic that dominated the transition from the 90s into the new millennium. Designed by the internal Sanrio team, she was meant to represent a "ballet-loving" little girl who dreams of becoming a professional dancer.
She's distinct. Most Sanrio characters are monochromatic or have a very limited palette. Hello Kitty is white with red/pink. Badtz-Maru is black. Usahana? She’s a chaotic masterpiece of color. She has different colored ears—usually orange and pink—and a blue body, with a flower tucked behind her ear.
Her backstory is actually pretty sweet. She lives in a forest called "Rainbow Island," which sounds exactly like the kind of place a 2001 character would live. Her height is famously described as being "three tulips tall," and she weighs as much as "three bell peppers." It’s that specific, slightly weird Sanrio lore that fans obsess over.
Why Usahana Disappeared from the Spotlight
It’s easy to think Sanrio just forgot about her. They didn't. What happened was a shift in global design trends. By the late 2010s, "Millennial Pink" and minimalist aesthetics took over. The bright, clashing colors of Rainbow Island didn't fit the beige-and-white Instagram grids that were dominating the market.
🔗 Read more: Christmas Treat Bag Ideas That Actually Look Good (And Won't Break Your Budget)
Basically, she was "too much" for a world that wanted "less."
During this time, Sanrio focused heavily on their "core" lineup. You know the ones: Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Kuromi. Kuromi especially took off with the "egirl" and "goth-lite" trends of 2020. Usahana, with her sunny disposition and literal rainbows, just didn't have a place in that moody aesthetic.
The 2026 Resurgence: Gen Z and the Y2K Obsession
But here is the thing about trends: they always circle back. Currently, the "Fruit Tiger" and "Kidcore" aesthetics are massive. We are seeing a rejection of "sad beige" parenting and minimalist home decor. People want color again. They want the dopamine hit that comes from a multi-colored rabbit.
In the 2024 Sanrio Character Ranking—a massive annual popularity contest where fans vote globally—Usahana started climbing back up. She isn't in the top three (Cinnamoroll has a death grip on the #1 spot), but her movement in the rankings caught Sanrio’s attention.
We started seeing new merchandise.
Collabs with brands like Sonix and Miniso have recently included her in "Retro Series" collections. It isn't just about selling toys to kids anymore; it’s about selling nostalgia to 30-year-olds who had a Usahana lunchbox in third grade.
💡 You might also like: Charlie Gunn Lynnville Indiana: What Really Happened at the Family Restaurant
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Design
A common misconception is that her colors are random. They aren't. Every color on her body is meant to represent the diversity of the world and the idea of "harmony." While Hello Kitty represents friendship, Usahana was always marketed with a slight emphasis on "being yourself" and "showing your true colors."
She has a group of friends that nobody ever talks about:
- Posty: A mail-carrier squirrel.
- Lulli: A shy little sheep.
- Pippu: A tiny bird who hangs out on her head.
If you look at the vintage 2003 stationary sets, these characters were everywhere. Now, they are incredibly rare and highly sought after by collectors on platforms like Buyee or Depop. A vintage Usahana plush from the early 2000s can easily go for $100-$300 depending on the condition.
The Ballet Connection
Usahana’s primary "hobby" is ballet. This was a huge part of her early marketing. Sanrio actually produced several short animated segments and even stage shows in Sanrio Puroland (their theme park in Tokyo) where Usahana performed dance routines.
This "Balletcore" aesthetic is actually another reason she’s trending again. With the rise of ribbons, leg warmers, and the "coquette" look on social media, a character whose entire personality revolves around dancing and flowers is a perfect fit.
Collecting Usahana: A Practical Guide
If you're looking to get into the hobby or just want to snag some nostalgia, you have to be smart about it. Because she wasn't "mainstream" for a long time, there is a lot of fake merchandise out there.
📖 Related: Charcoal Gas Smoker Combo: Why Most Backyard Cooks Struggle to Choose
- Check the Tag: Authentic Sanrio items from the early 2000s will have a gold or silver holographic sticker on the paper tag.
- Color Accuracy: Knockoffs often get her ear colors wrong. The right ear (your left) is almost always orange, and the left ear is pink.
- Japan-Exclusive vs. International: Some of the best Usahana items were only released in Japan. Using proxy services to shop on Mercari Japan is usually the best way to find the "deep cuts" of her merch history.
Why She Still Matters
In a world that feels increasingly polarized and, frankly, a bit grey, Usahana is a reminder of a time when things felt bright and simple. She represents a specific kind of 2000s optimism. She doesn't have the "edge" of Kuromi or the "laziness" of Gudetama. She’s just a bunny who likes flowers and wants to dance.
Sometimes, that’s enough.
The revival of these "second-tier" Sanrio characters—like Usahana, Sugarbunnies, and even Spottie Dottie—shows that the brand is listening to long-term fans. They realize that their history is their greatest asset.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you want to support the return of Usahana, the best thing you can do is participate in the official Sanrio Character Ranking held every spring. Sanrio uses these numbers to decide which characters get new merchandise lines for the following year.
For those looking to buy, keep an eye on the "Sanrio Retro" collections at official stores. They have been re-releasing classic 2001 designs on modern tech accessories, like AirPods cases and MagSafe wallets.
Lastly, if you still have your old 2000s collection in the attic, don't throw it away. The market for "Y2K Sanrio" is at an all-time high, and even small items like "memo pads" or "re-ment" miniatures are considered high-value items in the collector community. Check the dates on the back of your items; if it says © 2001, 2004 SANRIO CO., LTD., you're holding onto a piece of mascot history.