Most Recognizable Fictional Characters

I really really but really love mario he is the best of all I always love him he is the best hero ever existed mario is so famous, iconic, and popular I really love mario.
He's the OG video game franchise. Definite top 10 status as he's the most recognizable brand face for Nintendo, one of the most recognized gaming brands in the world. Pikachu is right there with Mario, perhaps beats him out. But Pickachu sort of transcends Pokémon and Nintendo, while Mario and Nintendo go hand in hand.
Honestly he is huge in both the east and west. He is literally the face of Japan. I don't think any character has transcended through various industries and barriors like Mario. And aside from Pokemon, Mario is the highest grossing media franchise out there.
But doesn't Pac-Man surpass Mario? Pac-Man counts as a character, right...?

How is Mario #1? 99% plus 1 of the universe knows who Mickey Mouse is, or at least heard his name! You should know who Mickey is by the time you are 30 months old! He's the definition of childhood! Not to mention, he's inescapable from in Walt Disney World. He's at the begging of every Disney film! Mickey Mouse is the MOST recognizable face, even the STARS know who he is! M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E! (that's him! )
Mickey is the most popular emblem of the most popular brand in the world. Disney World is the dream for every kid around the world growing up. Whether old or young, all know of Mickey Mouse.
There are third world countries that know about Mickey Mouse due to the sheer amount of liscencing the character has received...even if you've never seen any of his films, Mickey's iconic outline is unavoidable! Mario has countries where his face has never appeared...at least not to the extent or saturation that Mickey's has...
Disney claims Mickey has a 98% awareness rate among children 3-11 yrs old worldwide. He is also by far the most recognizable mascot to every generation alive today, seeing as he is 90 years old. People compare their popularity to him for a reason.

Similar to Superman, Batman is an OG. He's not as strong a symbol of justice but he's similarly inspired many fictional spinoff type characters.
The best there ever was
The best there ever is
The best there ever will be
Iconic, to say the least.
Batman is the best!

The fact that he is on this list as the sole anime character, considering FF characters and Pikachu started as video game characters speaks volumes. The one of the few if not the only one people will throw a table for to argue that we could beat Superman. The Western audience embrace him more than a lot of our own western born characters.
He is the Mario of Anime. What else can I say, wait I have an endless list of reasons why he's so great.
I've always looked up to Goku, he is beyond legendary. Instantly recognizable for me.
The most popular anime character in existence. What more do I need to say?

Long standing franchise. Most iconic villain of all time. Star Wars at the worldwide box office consistently hits top 10 status regardless of era.
More people can recognize Darth Vader than any Dragon Ball Z or My Little Pony character. Star Wars is older than both shows and is a classic.

This list is retarded. Not even Santa, Sherlock Holmes or Frankenstein or something, just a bunch of video game characters, half of them that I don't know... This was definitely made by a bunch of kids with no idea about pop culture
I think Luigi should be Number 5 or 3 because he has starred in almost every Mario game and has even had his own games.
It's green mario


Wack wack wack wack
I mean its pac-man...



The second most recognizable video game face after Mario. This is easy.
Sonic is more recognizable for people than Mickey Mouse.
Just the word sonic brings this to anyone's mind.
He's way past cool, come on.



He's simply incredibly well known. He's been around for the longest time and he's appeared in plenty of crossover events with other comic/anime verses. He's the OG. Very old or very young, he has likely played a part in most everyone's childhood, regardless if they 'like' him or not.
The grandfather of them all basically. If he never existed, everyone else would've been nothing. He has the most recognizable name, symbol and theme. Should totally be the Number 1 most recognizable

A part of one of the most popular anime/gaming franchises ever. He's cute and cute sells. Regardless of Pokémon likely increasing the amount of animal abuse worldwide because- let's face it- that's basically the concept (have your pet fight in sanctioned and non-sanctioned battles to prove whose the best trainer). All that said Pikachu seems to even transcend Pokémon itself and has become simply a global icon.
Another pioneer of anime. And the star of the highest media grossing show Pokemon. Also the most recognizable face of the hit 2016 game Pokemon GO.
There is not a single person who doesn't know who this is, even if they don't know where he's from.
Pickachu is definitely more recognizable than Goku, many people just don't know anime characters.



A big dumb balding North American ape with no chin and a short temper.

I think it's very close between Spider-Man and Iron Man at this point considering the Avenger movies. However Iron Man historically was a B level hero in popularity until the MCU franchise.
Spider-Man has endured far longer and was the far more popular franchise prior to the MCU. His popularity is far more sustainable as well. While Iron Man is largely tied to the profound acting chops of Robert Downey Jr, many have worn the Spider-Man mask and made it their own. The new MCU also seems to have Spider-Man in the forefront of its core and his popularity thus will only continue to ascend or maintain while Iron-Man's is likely to descend. Old or young, Spider-Man is going to be the more recognizable character In my opinion.
The fact that there are multiple cinematic universes and alternate mainstream versions of him, its safe to say if there really was a small percentile that didn't know who he was they do now.
Spiderman is only 20

He's been a pioneer in cartoons for 2 decades with 3 films and the most quotable lines of any show. I think he makes up about 70% of ALL relevant memes
How can you not know SpongeBob?!? I also think all of the Simpsons deserve to be on here.
Awesome amazing Iconic good nice funny sweet hilarious.




Bugs bunny the king of warner bros he is the best classic animation character of all time I really really but really love bugs bunny he is the best and the most iconic of all time.
Bugs is one of the most classic animation figures out there. I suspect his popularity is dwindling, but he's still likely top 10.
37?! Seriously?!
He needs to be in the top ten at least!
He should be number three or top ten at least!