The early 80s might (in part, at least) be considered the Hello Kitty era. Created by the Japanese company Sanrio, the eventual American influx of Hello Kitty merchandise was downright overwhelming. Kids everywhere (and more than a few celebrities, including Mariah Carey) were easily spotted with everything from purses and makeup to stickers, jewelry and pencil sharpeners. With that kind of exposure, a Saturday morning cartoon was a no-brainer and in 1987, Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater made its debut on The Family Channel.

On the show, Kitty is the proprietor of a repertory theater, which presented two plays in each episode, both of which offered versions of fairy tales reenacted by an all-feline cast. The starring role predictable went to Miss Kitty herself, while the antagonists portrayed by her decidedly less lovable cohorts, Catnip and Grinder.

Although the series only lasted a mere year, the furry feline would return to the airwaves on CBS in 1991, in the also short-lived, Hello Kitty and Friends. In 2006, it was announced that everyone’s favorite kitty would be appearing in clay-animation form in Hello Kitty’s Stump Village, which has been licensed for US release. And to help one pass the time, there is still an abundance of Hello Kitty merchandise to keep her near and dear to the hearts of all who worship at the alter that is Hello Kitty.