A recent study from Japan states thatSonic the Hedgehogwas the most searched video game character on Google throughout most of the United States. The Blue Blur took home the title of the most searched character in all the states except for Florida, whereSonicwas out-searched by another iconic video game character.
This study was conducted by compiling data over the last five years and across each individual US state to see which characters were the most searched, and to see if there were any correlating patterns towards their rankings at the time. The study then listed a nationwide top ten list using the average nationwide monthly Google searches for each character as their basis. This new study follows a similar one that alsogave Sonic the title of the most searched characterin the US. However, the differences between the rest of the top ten were made apparent in this new study, with characters from theSuper Marioseries making appearances throughout.
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The study was conducted by 6Takarakuji from Japan, and found thatSonichad an average of 1.1 million average monthly Google searches over a five-year span. Part of that span included when both 2020’sSonic the Hedgehogand 2022’sSonic the Hedgehog 2were in theaters, which attributed to the Blue Blur taking the lead. However, the Sunshine State went with Bandai Namco’s Pac-Man as its most searched character. Pac-Man last appeared in2022’sPac-Man World Re-Pac, a remake of 1999’sPac-Man Worldfor the PlayStation. Pac-Man took the second spot nationwide, with an average monthly search tally of 758,300. Rounding out the top five were Pikachu fromPokemon, Kirby from theKirbyseries, and Kratos fromGod of War.
Like Sonic, Pikachu’s third-place ranking can be attested to the release of 2019’sDetective Pikachu, whichreportedly has a sequel film in the worksfrom Legendary Entertainment. Rounding out the rest of the top ten rankings were Yoshi, Princess Peach, and Bowser from theSuper Marioseries at sixth, seventh, and tenth respectively. As for the eighth and ninth spots, those were awarded to Chun-Li fromStreet Fighter, and Lara Croft fromTomb Raider. All the top ten spots had a monthly average of well over 130,000 nationwide searches on Google, but only Sonic was able to reach the seven-figure mark.
Despite three characters from theSuper Marioseries making the cut, Mario himself did not crack the top ten in 6Takarakuji’s study. Only time will tell if Mario will climb up the Google search countonceThe Super Mario Bros. Movieis releasedthis April.
