Sanrio’s Kuromi and My Melody turn 20 and 50 this year. What explains the cross-generational pull of cute characters in a hyper-fast world?

Sanrio’s Kuromi and My Melody turn 20 and 50 this year. What explains the cross-generational pull of cute characters in a hyper-fast world?

What is it about a mouthless cartoon cat or a goth bunny that keeps people coming back for more?