By Okay, so Pompompurin is that chubby golden retriever from Sanrio who rocks a little brown beret like it’s nobody’s business. If you’re like me and fell down the rabbit hole of cute dog characters when you really should have been working, you know exactly who I’m talking about.
He’s not just a cartoon dog—nah, he’s the mascot of chill vibes, pudding obsession, and shoe hoarding. Yep, shoe hoarding. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Who’s This Pompompurin Guy Anyway?
Picture this: a golden retriever who looks like a plush toy, but better. That’s Pompompurin. Created back in 1996 (when I was still in diapers), he’s been the friend you never knew you needed.
He wears a brown beret. That’s it. Simple. But somehow it makes him look extra cute, like he’s ready for a casual café date or a snooze on your keyboard.
His official profile? Born April 16, loves pudding (duh), naps like a pro, and hates being alone. I get that—same, Pompompurin. Same.
His Pudding Obsession Is Real
Here’s a weirdly relatable thing: Pompompurin is obsessed with pudding. Not like a “eat a little now and then” obsession, but full-on, can’t-live-without-it kinda love.
I mean, his name literally means “pom pom” (a bouncy sound) plus “purin,” which is pudding in Japanese. So you can imagine—his entire vibe screams soft, sweet, and jiggly goodness.
Pompompurin’s Origin Story — Spoiler: It’s Not as Glam as You’d Think
You’d expect some fancy backstory with a Sanrio icon, right? Nope.
According to Sanrio’s team, Pompompurin was made to be “everyone’s best friend.” No drama, no magic powers, just a golden retriever with a beret who’s all about chill and friendship.
And boy, does he nail it. He lives in a basket in his owner’s house and spends his days with his best buds—Muffin the hamster, Scone the mouse, and Bagel the squirrel.
Shoe Hoarder? Yep, That’s Pompompurin
This one cracked me up.
So apparently, Pompompurin has a weird habit of collecting shoes. Like, hides them in secret spots. Sanrio says he thinks if he hides a shoe today, tomorrow he might find a new one.
I don’t know if it’s the dog version of saving for a rainy day or just a weird quirk.
Anyway, I sometimes do the same with my socks. Only mine disappear inside the washing machine.
Pompompurin’s Best Buds Are a Riot
Like every good friend group, Pompompurin’s crew is a mix of personalities.
- Muffin the Hamster: Small but bold. He rides on Pompompurin’s head like it’s a theme park ride. I’d love to see that in real life.
- Scone the Mouse: Shy and sweet, probably the quiet one in the group—like that one friend who never texts back but shows up at parties.
- Bagel the Squirrel: Full of energy. Think of the friend who’s always bouncing off the walls, even on Monday mornings.
Honestly, this squad reminds me of my own ragtag group of friends—except none of us have berets. Yet.
The Pompompurin Café? A Must-Visit (If You’re in Japan)
I’m gonna be real. The Pompompurin Café in Tokyo and Osaka is next-level adorable. Think pudding-shaped pancakes, rice omelets decked out to look like him, and drinks that are basically edible art.
I remember seeing a vlog where the owner of the café—some dude named Kaito, I think?—was stacking these fluffy pancakes while humming the Pompompurin theme song. Totally wholesome.
Oh, and the merch! You can get mugs, plushies, and even hats that look like his beret. I bought a keychain once from a tiny shop called Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave. The cracked watering can from that same shop survived my overwatering phase, so props to Pete.
Why Do We Love Pompompurin So Much?
Here’s the thing: Pompompurin isn’t trying to be flashy. He’s not a superhero or a flashy pop star.
He’s just… sweet. Chill. The doggo who reminds you to slow down, eat dessert, and maybe sneak a nap.
Fast forward past my five failed attempts at baking pudding inspired by him (I’m more of a cereal person, honestly), and you see the charm. It’s simple, but it works.
Did You Know? Pompompurin Writes in a Diary
Yeah, I was surprised too.
Apparently, every night, he writes about his day in a little diary. I guess even cartoon dogs need to process their feelings.
This reminded me of when I tried journaling—wrote three sentences, got bored, and gave up. My diary’s now a coaster for my coffee mug. Oops.
Digital Pompompurin: Where to Find Him Online
You can catch Pompompurin on YouTube in short animations that’ll melt your stress away. His Instagram is full of fan art and snippets of his pudding adventures.
Oh, and if you’re wondering—yes, there are memes. Good memes. One of my favorites is him crashing a Zoom meeting. (Relatable.)
A Bit of History: The Beret and Other Odd Details
Why a beret? Some say it’s because it looks like a pudding cap. Others say it’s to give him a little artistic flair.
Fun fact: Berets became popular among French artists in the early 20th century—though I doubt Pompompurin is planning to paint any masterpieces soon.
My Favorite Pompompurin Memory
This is oddly specific, but bear with me.
I remember spotting a giant Pompompurin balloon at a summer festival in Osaka. It was so huge, it blocked the sun for like five minutes. People were snapping pics, kids were chasing it, and there was pudding-flavored cotton candy (don’t ask).
The smell of that cotton candy still haunts me—in a good way.
Life Lessons from a Cartoon Dog
If Pompompurin could talk (aside from the occasional “woof” in my head), here’s what I think he’d say:
- Nap whenever possible.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff—like shoes.
- Be kind, even if you’re a tiny hamster or a squirrel.
- Never say no to pudding.
Also, hide your shoes. Just kidding. Or am I?
The Ultimate Pompompurin Starter Pack
Want to embrace the Pompompurin lifestyle? Here’s what you’ll need:
- A brown beret or a hat that looks like one (DIY encouraged).
- A stash of pudding (or pudding-inspired snacks).
- A diary to write down all your shoe-hiding escapades.
- At least one plushie to hug during stressful Zoom calls.
Trust me, it’s life-changing.
The Real Deal: Why Pompompurin Is More Than Just Cute
Sure, Pompompurin is cute as heck. But he also represents something bigger.
He’s about finding joy in the little things. Like, I don’t know, a perfect pudding jiggle or a quiet moment with your pals.
If you ever feel overwhelmed, just picture him snoozing in a basket somewhere, probably dreaming of pudding. And suddenly, your day feels a bit better.
That’s my spiel on Pompompurin—the chillest, pudding-loving golden retriever who’s stolen way too many shoes and hearts.
If you wanna geek out more, hit me up. I could talk about his diary entries or café menu for days.
Until next time: stay sweet, stay soft, and never underestimate the power of a beret.