Top 10 Most Recognizable Fictional Characters

Even if you've never played the game, read the comic, or seen the show, you know the face. The voice. The catchphrase. These characters are practically stitched into the back of your eyelids.

You don't need a name. One silhouette and your brain fills in the rest. Maybe it's the red hat. The lightning bolt tail. The pointed ears under a cowl. Whatever it is, it sticks. And not just with you. We're talking globally known. Cross-language, cross-generation, cross-everything. They're fictional, sure, but try telling your subconscious that.

This list is your chance to weigh in. Scroll through, vote up the characters you think rule the recognition game, and see how your picks stack up with the rest of the world.

1. Mario

   

   Mario, originally named Jumpman, is the main character of the Super Mario Bros. franchise and was created by Nintendo of Japan's game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Mario appears in nearly every game in the series, including many spin-off titles, with a few exceptions such as New Super Luigi U, the Luigi's... read more

   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 barriers like Mario. Aside from Pokémon, Mario is the highest-grossing media franchise out there.

   He's the original video game franchise. Definitely 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 even beats him out. However, Pikachu sort of transcends Pokémon and Nintendo, while Mario and Nintendo go hand in hand.

2. Mickey Mouse

   

   Mickey Mouse is a funny animal cartoon character and the official mascot of The Walt Disney Company. He was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at the Walt Disney Studio in 1928.

   The first cartoon featuring Mickey Mouse was the iconic "Steamboat Willie," released later that same year. Mickey... read more

   How is Mario #1? 99% plus 1 of the universe knows who Mickey Mouse is, or at least has 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 at Walt Disney World. He's at the beginning 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!)

   There are third-world countries that know about Mickey Mouse due to the sheer amount of licensing 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.

3. Pikachu

   

   Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ) is a species of Pokémon that appears in video games, animated television shows and movies, trading card games, and comic books licensed by The Pokémon Company. It is the mascot of the Pokémon franchise and is widely considered the most iconic Pokémon. Pikachu is well known for... read more

   Another pioneer of anime and the star of the highest-grossing media franchise, Pokémon. Also, the most recognizable face of the hit 2016 game Pokémon GO.

   The face of Pokémon, the most successful media franchise of all time. Show anyone a picture of this guy, they know exactly who he is.

   There is not a single person who doesn't know who this is, even if they don't know where he's from.

4. Pac-Man

   

   Pac-Man is the main character of the video game franchise created by Namco. He made his debut in the Japanese arcade game Pac-Man on May 22, 1980. The game was later released in the United States in October of the same year and became a cultural phenomenon.

5. Sonic the Hedgehog

   

   Sonic the Hedgehog is the title character and protagonist of the video game series of the same name released by SEGA. He has since appeared in numerous spin-off comics, several television shows, an animated OVA, and a live-action movie trilogy. Known for his incredible speed and signature blue color... read more

   The second most recognizable video game face after Mario. This is easy.

   Sonic is more recognizable to people than Mickey Mouse.

   Just the word Sonic brings this to anyone's mind.

6. Batman

   

   Batman, also known as Bruce Wayne, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. On film, Batman has been portrayed by Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery... read more

   Similar to Superman, Batman is an original. He's not as strong a symbol of justice, but he's similarly inspired many fictional spinoff characters.

   The best there ever was.

   The best there ever is.

   The best there ever will be.

   Really, Batman at 14? Everyone knows who Batman is, and he is more popular than Superman.

7. Harry Potter

   

   Harry James Potter is the title character of the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. The series chronicles his life from age eleven as he discovers his identity as a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Over seven years, Harry confronts numerous challenges and... read more

   Seriously, Anna, Toadette, Green Lantern, and Goku aren't outplacing Harry Potter here. Think "Wizard" for a moment.

8. Goku

   

   Son Goku (Saiyan name Kakarrot) is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. He possesses many powerful abilities, including super strength, ki control, flight, teleportation, super speed, enhanced reflexes, and Super Saiyan transformations that increase his... read more

   The fact that he is on this list as the sole anime character, considering Final Fantasy characters and Pikachu started as video game characters, speaks volumes. He is one of the few, if not the only one, people will argue could beat Superman. The Western audience embraces 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.

9. Luigi

   

   Luigi is a major character in video games and related media produced by Nintendo. He was originally introduced as a green-colored palette swap of Mario and is portrayed as Mario's younger, taller fraternal twin brother.

   Created by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Luigi appears in many... read more

   The player two plumber isn't too far removed from his big bro. Since they appear together so often, not seeing him in the top ten would be super weird.

   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.

10. Darth Vader

    

    Darth Vader is a Star Wars character who serves as the main antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy and as the central figure in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he is known by his original name, Anakin Skywalker. Initially trained as a Jedi Knight, Anakin defects to the Sith under the influence... read more

    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.

    Star Wars is a worldwide phenomenon. And Vader is the face of it. Easily recognizable and very iconic.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Pinocchio

    
12. ?

    Robin Hood

    
The Contenders

13. Superman

    

    Superman is a fictional comic book character and arguably the first powerful superhero of the modern era. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, who were high school students in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933. Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, published by National... read more

    He's simply incredibly well-known. He's been around for the longest time and has appeared in plenty of crossover events with other comic/anime universes. He's the original. Whether very old or very young, he has likely played a part in most everyone's childhood, regardless of whether 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. He should totally be the number 1 most recognizable.

    He's Superman, quite possibly the most copied superhero of all time. I grew up watching him, and so did my dad. Hard to beat that.

14. Pennywise

    

    It (sometimes capitalized as IT), more commonly known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, is the main antagonist of Stephen King's novel It, as well as its 1990 television miniseries and the 2017 film adaptation. It is a shapeshifting and ancient malevolent entity that is millions, possibly billions, of... read more

15. Homer Simpson

    

    Homer Jay Simpson is the main protagonist of the American animated television series The Simpsons, serving as the patriarch of the eponymous family. It is implied that he is not very intelligent, with a crayon stuck in his brain often cited as the reason. He works at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant... read more

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

16. Anna

    

    Princess Anna of Arendelle is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen (2013) and its sequel Frozen II (2019). She is voiced by Kristen Bell as an adult, with Livvy Stubenrauch and Katie Lopez providing her childhood speaking and singing voices, respectively. Anna is... read more

17. Toadette

    

    Toadette is a character in the Mario series. She is a female Toad who first appeared in the Nintendo GameCube game Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in 2003. Since then, she has appeared in multiple Mario titles, often as a playable character.

18. Elsa

    

    Queen Elsa of Arendelle is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen (2013) and its sequel Frozen II (2019). She is voiced by Idina Menzel, and her innate ability to create and manipulate ice and snow is central to the films' narratives. Elsa's signature song Let It Go... read more

19. Spider-Man

    

    Spider-Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, set within its shared universe. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko and first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) during the... read more

    I think it's very close between Spider-Man and Iron Man at this point, considering the Avengers 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 at the forefront of its core, and his popularity 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.

20. Green Lantern

    

    Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in 1940, and the identity has been held by multiple individuals, including Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner. Green Lanterns wield power rings that allow them... read more

21. SpongeBob SquarePants

    

    SpongeBob SquarePants is a fictional character and the titular protagonist of the American animated television series of the same name. SpongeBob is known for his bright optimism and naive, childish tendencies. He often gets into trouble in Bikini Bottom.... read more

    He's been a pioneer in cartoons for two decades, with three 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.

22. Hello Kitty

    

    I haven't much idea about anything regarding Hello Kitty. I just know the face and the name. I know it's very popular in Asian countries, especially.

23. Laguna Loire

    

24. Rainbow Dash

    

    Rainbow Dash is a female Pegasus pony from the animated television show My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, which premiered in 2010. She represents the Element of Loyalty and is one of the six main characters featured in the series.... read more

25. Bugs Bunny

    

    Bugs Bunny is an animated cartoon character created by the staff of Leon Schlesinger Productions, which later became Warner Bros. Cartoons. He is one of the most iconic and recognizable cartoon characters, known for his appearances in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series. His signature phrase... read more

    Bugs Bunny, the king of Warner Bros. He's the best classic animation character of all time. I really, really, but really love Bugs Bunny. He's 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.

    He should be number three or in the top ten at least!

26. Rinoa Heartilly

    

27. Olaf

    

    Olaf is a friendly snowman character who appears in Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019). He was inadvertently created by Queen Elsa's magical powers and serves as the story's comic relief and embodiment of childhood wonder. Olaf is voiced by Josh Gad and has become one of... read more