TOKYO (Reuters) - A platinum, diamond-studded figurine of Hello Kitty, the hugely popular feline character, has been sold for the equivalent of $102,000 (54,000 pounds) by a department store in the Japanese city of Osaka. The 4.1 cm (1.6 in.) tall figurine, dressed in a queen's outfit and studded with 250 diamonds, was produced to celebrate the 30th birthday of the famous white cat with no mouth. "It was sold to a customer from Osaka," said a spokesman at the Mitsukoshi department store, declining to give details. The face of Hello Kitty, who has devotees of all ages around the world, is featured on everything from kids lunch boxes to pop-up toasters and bicycles. Things are not purring for the owner of the Hello Kitty brand, however. Sanrio said last week it would fall into the red this year and is seeking $187 million in financial aid.

OMG! Hello Kitty is going bankrupt, the time would be ripe for it to recieve financial help from an evil despotic organisation, which would then use its instantly recognisable image for its own evil purposes! It's Kitty X just waiting to happen....

"Hmmm....."

Never could stand that little furball. *wonders if she has enough C-4 to blow up all hello kitty crap ever made, and if anyone would notice or care*

Beware, Hello Kitty is the mastermind of all evil.

You guys scare me at times..you know that? Does your megalomaniacal malevolence know no bounds?.. Wait till Jinpei hears about this..

Awwww, poor Imi!!! *Throws a Sailor Moon pillow at Imi's head* And here I thought you'd be the type to snuggle a rocket launcher.

Hey Galactor! You pin down the Condor and I'll torch the Hello Kitty cushion. Can't let anyone know that the Unbeatable Imi has a weakness for cartoon cats can we? *evil grin*