the buzz log

From a portable DVD player to a $3,500 sequined mini-dress, there's no end to the reach of Hello Kitty. The wide-cheeked cat is well-known—and well-merchandised—around the globe. But has her reputation suffered at home? According to Yahoo! Finance, the international icon of cute is looking to reconnect with her native land.

In "a bid to emphasize the mascot's 'Japanese-ness'," Sanrio, the company behind the Hello Kitty phenomenon, is launching a slew of new products designed to beguile Japanese citizens and please tourists. Among the items slated for release: a digital camera, a humidifier, and "lingerie with cat-inspired lacing." Why, Kitty!

Unlike the Land of the Rising Sun, the Internet needs no reconnection with Hello Kitty. Here, the queen of felines continues to reign supreme. Week to week, we log thousands upon thousands of inquiries for Hello Kitty items, ranging from the expected ("hello kitty pictures") to the surprising ("hello kitty car"—or "scrubs"). Here's a glimpse of the top 30 requests from the past seven days...