Even though Hello Kitty is not my favorite anthropomorphic cat, when I got a Nintendo DS for my birthday a couple years ago I stuck her on there because I think she's pretty cute.
... Or maybe because, in actuality, I think I'm pretty cute.
Three simple shapes, two dots and an oval, comprise this universally recognizable and highly profitable visage. But when I look at her face, something far less simple is going on.
My brain easily knits together a face out of the three shapes, as it is hardwired to do. But beyond recognition, the act of looking at Hello Kitty’s face also involves transference/transposition. Because her face is so simple, it has a universal quality to it that allows me to more easily identify myself with her. Her lack of a mouth especially allows me to transpose whatever emotion I happen to be feeling on to her, because it doesn’t specify happiness, sadness, or anything. Looking at this mouthless Hello Kitty on her bike, it’s easier to imagine that she feels the same way about riding that bike as I feel about riding my bike. Seeing myself as her, or her as myself, makes me identify with and like her more.
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