Chococat

Chococat is one of the many fictional characters produced by Japanese corporation Sanrio. He is drawn as a black cat with huge black eyes, four whiskers, and like counterpart Hello Kitty, no mouth. His name comes from his chocolate-coloured nose. Like other Sanrio characters, he appears on a variety of merchandise, including stationery, coffee mugs, plush toys, bath towels, etc.

When Sanrio releases new Chococat lines, the background colors and designs, Chococat's collar and fur color, and his accessories and friends are often altered. Chococat was originally pictured with a blue collar, but he has since been depicted wearing different colored collars, scarves, and even a lei. Sanrio has also produced new Chococat products that portray him in a greyish-brown color. In the Momoberry version, he is pink with a top hat, bow tie, and cane. Line names are often heavily relied upon in internet sales descriptions.

Line names and key variations

1996-99

*Friends
**black fur and blue collar
**black and white ginham pattern on tan/creme background
**features Cookie-bow, Jelly Bean, Nutz, and the Duckies

1998

*Fish
**black fur, blue collar
**multi colored dots on varied background
**big orange fish accent

2000

*Plaid
**black fur, blue collar
**brown, blue, beige, diagonal plaid background
**blue and yellow baby flowers

2001

*Fruits
*Diamond

2002

*Circle
*Forest

2003

*Clover
*Whimsy
*Cookie (limited release)
**chococat heads as oreo cookies
**brown and tan vertical stripes
**cookie style packaging accents

2004

*Flower
*Dream
*Peek-a-Boo
*Leather
*Sleepover
*Room
*Tree

2005

*Stencil
*Tropical
*Lapis
*Chandelier (limited release)
**beauty product line
*Sport
*Ribbon
*Dot
*Twinkle
**black fur, blue collar
**white background with blue, brown, and tan stars or quadrilaterals
**slanted script font
**50's kind of theme
**3D character
**tandem released kitchen line with Hello Kitty and Chi Chai Mon-chan
*Picnic (Summer)
**black fur, blue or light green scarf
**green and white gingham background
**trees, flowers, bugs, and bird accents in various colors
**layered scrap book map style with beige and blue
*Cross Stitch (Winter)
** black/brown fur, white scarf with red X's, sometimes with a beanie
** herringbone and cross stitch designs in beige and creme
** flower, bird, zig-zag, X and circle accents in blue, red, and brown
*Momoberry
**an all pink variation made for Momoberry stores. It can vary, but it is always in shades of pink
**most prominent design features pink fur, with black top hat and bow tie, and polka dot pink cane
**pink, black, and white starry night background with crescent moon
**vertical stripe accents

2006

* Sunflowers (Summer 2006)
** brown fur, yellow collar, holds a sunflower
** mosaiced solids on green background
** yellow, orange, white, and brown sunflowers and other flowers
* Tapestry (2006)
** black fur with orange scarf
** light blue background with orange, aqua, and yellow fish and leaf motif
** products mostly targeted for dorm use
* Wood (2006)
** black fur with pink collar
** yellow-orange background
** limited line made of wood
* Egg
** black fur with blue scarf collar
**egg shaped body sans limbs
**no background or accompanying features
* Argyle (Winter 2006)
** black fur with a purple and white striped scarf
** brown background with purple, pink, blue, and white argyle pattern
** dove, large embroidered "C", and snowflakes also featured
** annual winter line including scarf, beanie, etc

2007

* Gray (Spring 2007)
** black fur with blue and white polka dot collar
** gray background with multi colored spots containing lady bugs, flowers, dots, etc
** Chococat holds a yellow flower
* Drive (Summer 2007)
** purple fur and light blue polka dot scarf
** car accessories
** blue background
** purple and blue flowers, dots, and birds
* Wood Print (Summer 2007)
** brown fur and pink scarf with flowers
** pink, brown, tan background
** flowers, circles, blocks in wood print motif shapes
** back to school line
* Ivy (Fall 2007)
** black fur with crown and gold collar
** gray and blue background
** stylized ivy theme
** purple and pink accents
** regal, heraldic, Old School (Ivy League) style crest
*Check (Winter 2007)
**black fur with blue ribbon collar--flower fastener with white button
**black and white background in a houndstooth pattern
**white button accents
**winter items gloves,hat,scarf,etc.

2008

*Nordic (Spring 2008)
**black fur with orange collar
**yellow bird on its head
**blue, white, grey, and yellow flower and bird accents
**abstract modish shapes
**interior art deco blocks
*Crepe (limited release)
** black fur, yellow collar
** wears a dark blue outfit with white and yellow flowers on it
*Stripe (Summer)
**Car line

Licensees and Distributors

While Sanrio is the main producer and distributor of Chococat goods, they do occasionally other companies a share in the fun. Some of them are:

Licensees

*D.O.E. (Mighty Fine)
*Public Library (Mighty Fine)

Distributors

*Claires
*Hot Topic

External links

* [http://www.sanrio.co.jp/english/characters/w_chara/28.html Sanrio - Chococat]

References

* [http://www.sanriotown.com/europe/meetchar.php] Official Online Home of Hello Kitty & Friends