Darlings, the pudding-loving golden retriever just stole the crown—Pompompurin has done it again, topping the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking worldwide with a record 70.6 million votes cast. He dethroned Cinnamoroll's long reign (five straight wins from 2020-2024) for the second year running after breaking the streak in 2025, proving his beret-and-pudding charm hits different on a global scale. The top three are all doggos now—Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Pochacco—while regional vibes show the US clinging to classics like Chococat and Keroppi, and Taiwan sneaking in Gudetama and Cogimyun. Newcomer Chokochilla swept the Happilinafriends categories with her strawberry-hatted chinchilla energy, and Sanrio's already riding this wave with more merch incoming.

Overseas support carried him hard, with the US and international fans pushing the totals past last year's already massive numbers. The poll dropped right after Sanrio Fes 2026, and the fandom's buzzing—some are demanding equal merch treatment this time around since Cinnamoroll got spoiled during his streak. It's the ultimate kawaii power move: one cute dog edging out icons like Hello Kitty (5th) and Kuromi (4th) in a field of over 100 characters.

This isn't just a poll win; it's a signal that Sanrio's global fanbase is shifting toward that cozy, snack-obsessed retriever vibe. Expect the pudding dog to dominate timelines and store shelves well into the next cycle—classic Sanrio drama with extra whipped cream.