Hello Kitty apparently has a close cousin in North Korea, with the ubiquitous character popping up on clothing in the reclusive country at its official site for products for export. Sanrio Co., ...

Each of the Gintama characters has elements of their Sanrio counterparts and vice versa, such as Gintoki wearing a Hello Kitty-esque bow or Kagura and Lala wearing the same Chinese-style dress.