Mickey is a global icon of cheerfulness and perseverance ... This white animal cartoon character represents creativity and loyalty. The lazy, lasagna-loving orange tabby cat, Garfield embodies sarcasm ...

Before we toast Kitty White’s 50th, let’s take a minute to reacquaint ourselves with the animated icon’s history ... Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s a cartoon character.

Designed by Yuko Shimizu, the familiar anthropomorphised cat character has transcended cult status and become an instantly recognised icon of contemporary Japan ... it’s not the first time the cartoon ...