Everything We Know About PataPataPeppy

UPDATE: The 2026 Sanrio Character Rankings have been announced! PataPataPeppy has ranked 48th this year. Keep that momentum going, everyone!

For the past month, the 2026 Sanrio Character Rankings have been in full swing. As people cast their votes for their favorite Sanrio characters (or try to give Cinnamoroll a run for his money), I decided to take this opportunity to introduce you to my favorite Sanrio character.

[embed]パタパタペッピー｜サンリオ 何にでも興味シンシン。探検が好きな、あわてん坊のミミズクの男のコ。チェリーと木の実とお昼寝が大好き。低空飛行が大得意！北の森で生まれたペッピーは、ある日、山ネズミさんと遊んでいるうちに、迷子になって、たどりついたのが人間の家。そこが気に入っ…www.sanrio.co.jp

This is PataPataPeppy, a boy owl created by former Sanrio designer Atsushi Matsubayashi in 1992. His birthday is August 26. He’s a bit of a bungling bird who loves to explore, eat cherries and nuts, and take plenty of naps. He prefers flying close to the ground, referred to officially as low-altitude flight. He’s described as our perky little pal from the forests of the far north, but got lost one day when playing with a mountain mouse and found himself in a human household. Luckily, he liked it so much that he decided to stay and has been living there ever since.

This info comes directly from his profile on the Sanrio JP website. Unfortunately, this paragraph is about the only piece of substantial information you’ll see on any website or wiki.

He used to be very popular back when he first debuted in the 90s, but faded into obscurity over the years. This could partly be due to the limited reach of his merchandise, non-cohesive storyline, or his lack of staying power compared to his other peers (Badtz-Maru, Tuxedosam and Pekkle).

Despite him trending low over the past decade, only placing anywhere from 45th to 50th in the Sanrio Character Rankings, that hasn’t stopped him from participating in every single Character Ranking contest since 1993, where he ranked 2nd (only behind Pochacco). He has also appeared in numerous merchandise collaborations with other Japanese brands, so he has never completely disappeared. Talk about dedication!

[embed]

“I’m a hardcore granny from the early Heisei era, and even though I loved this character as a kid, I’m sad I never see him anymore.”

Perhaps because he was rendered with a distinctive watercolor-sketch artstyle and storybook motifs in his merchandises’ copy text, Japanese users remember PataPataPeppy fondly from their childhood. Of course, because he has never been promoted internationally, you’d be hard-pressed to find an international Sanrio fan who even knows about him.

For months on end, I have been researching PataPataPeppy through the wide variety of officially licensed merchandise. Now it is with great pleasure that I present to you all the info we have about PataPataPeppy. Enjoy!

Peppy’s Besties, Big and Small

“No one is ever a stranger in Peppy’s neck of the woods!”

By now, you’re likely able to identify this cuddly blue owl. But did you know there are many other supporting characters that appear on his merch, each with their own snippets of information? Unfortunately, there are very few actual bios for the supporting cast. Though we mostly only have their names, something is better than nothing!

[embed]1994年 パタパタペッピー 3点セット サンリオ 昭和 レトロ 文房具 by メルカリ 1994年 パタパタペッピー 3点セット サンリオ 昭和 レトロ…jp.mercari.com

The back side of this writing mat (下敷き) contains bios for two supporting characters. Lily is a little pink hummingbird who thinks highly of herself and may come across as arrogant, but is actually very kind. She is one of the characters that appears most frequently in Peppy’s merchandise and may have played a key role in one of his stories. More on that further down…

The other bio is for Tam, a mischievous dormouse from the West Woods who likes to play practical jokes on his friends. Unfortunately, there is no merch I could find of this trait on display.

[embed]パタパタペッピー ノート レトロ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー ノート…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー メモ帳 レターセット 手紙 ノート 文具 by メルカリ パタパタペッピー メモ帳 レターセット 手紙 ノート…jp.mercari.com

Pit appears to be based on a wood mouse. As seen on this notebook, he is quite bashful. Peppy appears to be helping him make friends with a yellow bird named Lilulu. By her name, you would think she and Lily are related, but this has yet to be seen, if ever.

[embed]Patapatapeppy メモ帳 by メルカリ Patapatapeppy…jp.mercari.com

Hasshi and Katchi are two squirrels who appear in this notepad and some other merchandise. Not much info about them is given.

[embed]パタパタペッピー ノート シール付き サンリオ 平成レトロ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー ノート シール付き サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

In what appears to be the same storyline, Peppy meets a rabbit named Loppy, eating the leaves in his flower patch.

[embed]パタパタペッピーメモ帳ミニレターセット平成レトロ by メルカリ パタパタペッピーメモ帳ミニレターセット平成レトロをメルカリでお得に通販、誰でも安心して簡単に売り買いが楽しめるフリマサービスです。新品/未使用品も多数、支払いはクレジットカード・キャリア決済・コンビニ・銀行ATMが利用可能で、品物が届いてか…jp.mercari.com

[embed]激レア！パタパタペッピーのステッカー by メルカリ 激レア！パタパタペッピーのステッカーをメルカリでお得に通販、誰でも安心して簡単に売り買いが楽しめるフリマサービスです。新品/未使用品も多数、支払いはクレジットカード・キャリア決済・コンビニ・銀行ATMが利用可能で、品物が届いてから出品者に入…jp.mercari.com

These two are a flying squirrel named Pikke and a honeybee named Papi. Notably, they appeared alongside Peppy in Sanrio Timenet (GBC), thus their names and brief bios can be found there. Pikke is always curious and wanders about, while Papi lives deep in the forest and knows the secret of time. Whether or not Papi’s bio is limited to Sanrio Timenet is unknown.

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー サイン帳 by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

Though they don’t have any info at all, a bat named Batty (duh) also appears in some merchandise, most notably alongside Peppy’s rodent friends.

[embed]レア！希少！サンリオパタパタペッピー ポーチ by メルカリ レア！希少！サンリオパタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

Two hummingbirds named Terry and Pira make less appearances compared to their peers. Their relationship is unknown.

[embed]パタパタペッピー ショッピングバッグ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー サンリオメッセージカード 1996 BANDAI メッセージ カード — まごころトレカ@ パタパタペッピー サンリオメッセージカード 1996 BANDAI メッセージ…jp.mercari.com

Either before or after Peppy goes on a journey, a mallard duck named Teiru is entranced by the Moonlight Forest and decides to move in.

[embed]新品 当時物 レア 1995年 サンリオ パタパタペッピー メモ帳 by メルカリ 新品 当時物 レア 1995年 サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

The last of those that have known names is the Tao the Forest Elder. Peppy appears to seek him out for guidance on his big adventure.

From here on out, info on the rest of the characters is extremely sparce or they have been given none at all.

[embed]平成レトロ パタパタペッピー サンリオ ファイル by メルカリ 平成レトロ パタパタペッピー サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]未使用 平成レトロ サンリオ パタパタペッピー ノート シール付き by メルカリ 未使用 平成レトロ サンリオ パタパタペッピー ノート…jp.mercari.com

Depicted on the binder are three baby shrews and an unknown woodpecker. The shrews do play a role in one of Peppy’s stories. And while not named, three hamster triplets help Peppy build a garden in another storyline.

[embed]パタパタペッピー サンリオメッセージカード 1996 BANDAI メッセージ カード - まごころトレカ@ パタパタペッピー サンリオメッセージカード 1996 BANDAI メッセージ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ PataPataPeppy バスタオル 1枚 by メルカリ サンリオ PataPataPeppy バスタオル…jp.mercari.com

I’m actually not sure what animal this character is based on, but their appearances are comparatively rarer.

And that’s all of them! Can you believe how much potential has gone unseen since Peppy faded into obscurity? What a crying shame ;w;

The Stories from His Little World

“Every day brings a new adventure.”

Most of the tales PataPataPeppy has to tell are slice of life snippets, though some display some cohesion. Here is everything I could find in no particular order:

[embed]【未使用品】パタパタペッピー B5ノート 1995 by メルカリ 【未使用品】パタパタペッピー B5ノート…jp.mercari.com

PataPataPeppy was born in the Moonrise Forest, which seems to be the main setting of all his stories. I wonder if Lily is his childhood friend?

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー ランチクロス2枚/ナプキン/ランチョンマット by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー サイン帳 by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー PATAPATAPEPPY メモ帳 サンリオ リングノート by メルカリ パタパタペッピー PATAPATAPEPPY メモ帳 サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

One of his favorite places to hang out is the vegetable patch. Looks like Peppy and his friends love to eat as much as they love to play! Because everyone is so different down to their favorite foods, mealtime is a noisy affair.

[embed]【平成レトロ】パタパタペッピー 交換ノート by メルカリ 【平成レトロ】パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

Eventually Peppy met Pit and helped him socialize more by introducing him to Lilulu. Afterwards, the two seemed to have met Tam. And what better way to celebrate a good friendship than sharing a meal together?

[embed]*ケブ様 1994 サンリオ パタパタペッピー 二つ折り財布PataPataPe by メルカリ* ケブ様 1994 サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]【平成レトロ】サンリオ パタパタペッピーメモ by メルカリ 【平成レトロ】サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

Of all the things Peppy and his friends like, food is quite a common ground they frequently share.

[embed]パタパタペッピー ナプキン ランチクロス サンリオ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー ナプキン ランチクロス…jp.mercari.com

Sometimes, Peppy likes to go hiking in the vegetable patch with Pikke and Batty for cherries or just to play around, especially after a shower. Watch out for those raindrops, though!

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー ハンカチ 1995年 レア by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー ハンカチ 1995年…jp.mercari.com

“What to do with these baby shrews?”

Peppy has had his share of watching over the little ones, as here he and Pit happen upon three baby shrews and babysit them.

[embed]Patapatapeppey メモ帳 平成レトロ by メルカリ Patapatapeppey メモ帳…jp.mercari.com

[embed]平成レトロ パタパタペッピー メモ帳2冊 サンリオ レア by メルカリ 平成レトロ パタパタペッピー メモ帳2冊 サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

What’s more, Peppy also spends plenty of quality time with hamster triplets who want to make their own garden. They build a heart-shaped trellis and plant all the seeds. And after all their hard work, Peppy flew home with cherry blossoms, leaving behind a sweet scent that seems to have been when he and Papi first met.

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー レトロメモ帳 by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]未使用 パタパタペッピー リングノート B6サイズ サンリオ by メルカリ 未使用 パタパタペッピー リングノート B6サイズ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]訳あり未使用品 パタパタペッピー ランチBOXケース by メルカリ 訳あり未使用品 パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

As mentioned earlier, Peppy first met Loppy, Hasshi and Katchi scampering around his garden. Seeing as how all three have wandered into the forest for food, Peppy invites them to his new home with food he appears to have found himself. From then on, Loppy and Peppy became especially good friends.

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー 絆創膏 by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオレトロ パタパタペッピーレターセット by メルカリ サンリオレトロ…jp.mercari.com

At one point or another, he leaves with Lily to go on an adventure and explore the world as mentioned earlier. To where exactly? Even I don’t know!

[embed]ポストカード サンリオ パタパタペッピー by メルカリ ポストカード サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー コンパクトレターセット by メルカリ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

But wherever it is, he, Lily and Tam explore a beautiful lake where they find a small waterfall and reed tunnel. Not to mention, Peppy seems to be entranced by the minnows there.

[embed]昭和レトロ ❤︎サンリオ PataPataPeppy❤︎文具&ティッシュセット レア by メルカリ 昭和レトロ ❤︎サンリオ PataPataPeppy❤︎文具&ティッシュセット…jp.mercari.com

When PataPataPeppy does start interacting with human objects, likely after stumbling upon a human house, it turns out there’s a whole other world with lots to hoot about waiting for him!

[embed]パタパタペッピー メモ帳 絵柄2種 15枚 シール付 希少 by メルカリ パタパタペッピー メモ帳 絵柄2種 15枚 シール付…jp.mercari.com

“Peppy’s journeys have led to a host of new friendships and many fond memories.”

Eventually Peppy’s journey comes to an end, as every journey eventually does. When he returns home, he is greeted once again by the Forest Elder.

However, there does seem to be one piece of lore left completely unaddressed: The fact that he got lost in a human house and has lived there ever since. Very strange indeed…

Souvenirs from the Far North

“There is always something new to be found in the forest.”

There are many reasons why PataPataPeppy was so popular back in the 90s, but the biggest reason has to be the wide variety of merchandise he appeared on.

[embed]サンリオ PataPataPeppy パタパタペッピー メモ帳とレターセット by メルカリ サンリオ PataPataPeppy パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー メモ帳 レトロ 当時... - Yahoo!オークション サンリオ パタパタペッピーのメモ帳です。1992年発売、長期保管品＊残量 90枚くらい(９割)＊大きさ 約9×8センチ＊柄…auctions.yahoo.co.jp

[embed]パタパタペッピー メモ帳 ノート リングノート by メルカリ パタパタペッピー メモ帳 ノート…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー マーカー 3本セット サンリオ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー マーカー 3本セット…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー 10色ミニペンセット 1992 1993 レトロ by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー 10色ミニペンセット 1992 1993…jp.mercari.com

[embed]1992年 パタパタペッピー ケース入り色鉛筆 シール by メルカリ 1992年 パタパタペッピー ケース入り色鉛筆…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー 文具セット 鉛筆3本 消しゴム２点 サンリオ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー 文具セット 鉛筆3本 消しゴム２点…jp.mercari.com

[embed]1993年 パタパタペッピー SANRIO スタンプセット レア フクロウ by メルカリ 1993年 パタパタペッピー SANRIO スタンプセット レア…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー★PataPataPeppy★レターセット★未使用品★平成レトロ by メルカリ パタパタペッピー★PataPataPeppy★レターセット★未使用品★平成レトロをメルカリでお得に通販、誰でも安心して簡単に売り買いが楽しめるフリマサービスです。新品/未使用品も多数、支払いはクレジットカード・キャリア決済・コンビニ・銀行A…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー レトロ レターセット by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー レトロ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ PataPataPeppy パタパタペッピー ボールペン 昭和レトロ by メルカリ サンリオ PataPataPeppy パタパタペッピー ボールペン…jp.mercari.com

The majority of PataPataPeppy merchandise is stationery. Peppy and his friends have been depicted on notebooks, sticky notes, envelopes, binders, stickers, pens, markers, erasers and much more. In my opinion, I’m surprised he isn’t popular internationally because his world is very Nordic-coded!

[embed]パタパタペッピー ミニ缶ケース ２個 by メルカリ パタパタペッピー ミニ缶ケース…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ・パタパタぺッピー貯金箱 by メルカリ サンリオ・パタパタぺッピー貯金箱をメルカリでお得に通販、誰でも安心して簡単に売り買いが楽しめるフリマサービスです。新品/未使用品も多数、支払いはクレジットカード・キャリア決済・コンビニ・銀行ATMが利用可能で、品物が届いてから出品者に入金さ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]パタパタペッピー 財布 by メルカリ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー タオルハンカチ 1995年 ハンドタオル レトロ by メルカリ サンリオ パタパタペッピー タオルハンカチ 1995年 ハンドタオル…jp.mercari.com

[embed]昭和レトロ パタパタペッピー 貯金箱 by メルカリ 昭和レトロ パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー 1997年 当時物 スケ... - Yahoo!オークション 目立った汚れ等ありません。当時のものになります。気になる方は入札をご遠慮下さい。ジャンボカードダスサンリオパタパタペッピーバンダイ1997年5月 6月カレンダースケジュールシールメイドインジャパン自己紹介を読んでから入札をお願い致します。auctions.yahoo.co.jp

[embed]パタパタペッピー コーム付きコンパクトミラー 平成レトロ サンリオ Sanrio by メルカリ パタパタペッピー コーム付きコンパクトミラー 平成レトロ サンリオ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]平成レトロ サンリオ パタパタペッピー ヘアブラシ 希少 by メルカリ 平成レトロ サンリオ パタパタペッピー ヘアブラシ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]未使用 激レア PATAPATAPEPPY マグカップ スープカップ 日本製 by メルカリ 未使用 激レア PATAPATAPEPPY マグカップ スープカップ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]当時物 サンリオ パタパタペッピー ミニ ゴミ箱 ... - Yahoo!オークション ●商品説明 サンリオ パタパタペッピー ミニ ゴミ箱 縦15㎝位、横11㎝位、8㎝位の机に置くタイプの小さいゴミ箱です。 1992 日本製 外袋は当時のままで、劣化等見られます。開封口のテープは劣化、変色が見られます。…auctions.yahoo.co.jp

[embed]サンリオ 旧ロゴ レア パタパタペッピー 80㎝ 浮... - Yahoo!オークション パタパタペッピー 浮き輪 80㎝空気漏れはありませんレターパックプラスか、ゆうパック60サイズです。auctions.yahoo.co.jp

But he has appeared on plenty of non-stationery products too, especially bags and purses. From cups, calendars, combs and brushes, and believe it or not, he even has his own inner tube!

[embed]平成レトロ 平成女児 サンリオ パタパタペッピー ミニ缶 メモ帳 by メルカリ 平成レトロ 平成女児 サンリオ パタパタペッピー ミニ缶…jp.mercari.com

[embed]激レア‼︎パタパタペッピー ノート 便箋 by メルカリ 激レア‼︎パタパタペッピー ノート…jp.mercari.com

At one point, Sanrio tried rendering Peppy and Lily in a completely different artstyle around the 2000s. This didn’t last, as nowadays he is rendered closer to the sketchy style of his original merch.

[embed]テプラPRO フォーキッズ Anvie（アンヴィー）替えテープ5個セット＋本体 by メルカリ テプラPRO フォーキッズ…jp.mercari.com

[embed]【激レア・レトロ】SANRIO パタパタペッピー 光るステンドシール by メルカリ 【激レア・レトロ】SANRIO パタパタペッピー…jp.mercari.com

Likely because he was so big in the stationery market, he even landed appearances on products distributed by companies like SEGA and Takara Tomy.

[embed]サンリオ パタパタペッピー 陶器 プランター 物... - Yahoo!オークション ★サンリオ…auctions.yahoo.co.jp

[embed]パタパタペッピー ぬいぐるみ サンリオ SANRIO ... - Yahoo!オークション ペッピーの高さは約９cm、切株の高さは約１１cmです。 経年やイタミが少々あります。 胴体に色移りがあります（最後の写真参照）。 状態は画像にて確認していただき、ノークレーム・ノーリターンでお願いします。auctions.yahoo.co.jp

[embed]パタパタペッピー 陶器製 フォトフレーム 写真立て 年代物 レア 希少 当時物 | フリマアプリ ラクマ サンリオ(サンリオ)のパタパタペッピー 陶器製 フォトフレーム 写真立て 年代物 レア 希少 ...item.fril.jp

[embed]【昭和レトロ 平成レトロ好きにオススメ！】パタパタペッピーのパペット人形♡ by メルカリ 【昭和レトロ…jp.mercari.com

But by far the most interesting merchandise of his are photo frames and plushies. These are some of the only instances where he and his friends themselves are tangible and three-dimensional. There was even a hand puppet made of him for the Christmas season!

Sadly, all of this merchandise has long been out of production and are nowadays considered rare. There have barely been any official re-distributions since.

What’s There to Hoot About?

According to various sources, PataPataPeppy’s interim rank in the 2026 Sanrio Character Rankings is 50th place, which was his final rank last year. In 2025 his interim rank was 54th place, so I’ll take what I can get at this point!

[embed]

[embed]

His resurgence appears to be happening much slower than other Sanrio characters from the 90s or mid-80s, but he is still popular enough to appear in collaborations now and then.

[embed]

He’s a little less prominent in non-collab merch and you’d be hard-pressed to find re-releases of his retro merch in an official Sanrio store, but this particular keychain has appeared in the Hello Kitty Merch Match app.

[embed]サンリオキャラクターズアクリルスタンド パタパタペッピー by メルカリ サンリオキャラクターズアクリルスタンド…jp.mercari.com

He even landed a cameo for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary!

PataPataPeppy may not be a popular pick even now, but we’re very lucky he’s still acknowledged at all. (Look at Deery-Lou ;w;)

All in all, it warms my heart to see many retro Sanrio characters getting the comebacks they’ve needed for so long. May PataPataPeppy share that experience, too!

This is an ongoing project! If there is any new info, this essay will be updated as necessary. All of the original listings, sold and unsold, are embedded in this article. Without their contributions and those of so many others, none of this would have been possible. Thank you all so much!