It's either a cat, a dog or a wolf. - It's got to be a wolf!!!
Mario was made by Nintendo...
So where is Sonic from. - He's not from Nintendo?
He jumps and opens boxes.
Hey guys and girls on Ask Japanese!
Do Japanese people know who Sonic is?
Sonic seems to be very known still abroad but not as many
people seem to know Sonic here. This is a discussion that me and the director had
He said... Not many Japanese people know Sonic. His theory is that NO ONE really knows Sonic.
I think they will know Sonic. Because he is always featured on the Olympic
Games. Mario and Sonic ... so I think so people will know but to what extent do people know
Let's go and find out and let's ask Japanese people. Don't forget, subscribe, hit the notification bell
leave us a like and let's go and Ask Japanese.
Do you know this character? - That's Mario. - Yeah I know.
And who is this then?
No clue...
What is that. I don't know the name but I have seen it.
You both don't know the name? - No. How about "So.... ni...."
Sonic. What is he doing?
He fights with something.... - Fights?
I had a Wii game at my house. I think it was one of the Olympic games...
It was a Wii game. He was there.
So the Olympic image was strong. - Yeah. - Who made Sonic?
No clue.
Is it Sony because he's called Sonic? I don't know that either...
Sega? - Omg OF COURSE it'S SEGA!!! (low point in my life right there.)
Did you have a console when you were young? - We had a DS at home.
I had a DS and a Wii
Then you would know this character.
That's Mario. - What's his job?
He climbs through pipes.
I don't know anything.
In that case you must know this character here too right.... 3...2...1....
That's Sonic. - Yeah - How do you know him?
I saw him around in Game Centers and saw his name was Sonic.
You saw him and you remembered the name straight away?
Well.. we see him in commercials in Japan too...
What animal is he based on?
A cat. No clue. - I don't know. Cat, dog or wolf.
He's got to be a wolf!!! - Yeah a wolf! - Booooh
Have you never heard his full official name? - Who tf knows?
Sonic the hedgehog.
Is that soooooo
Know what "hedgehog" means? - Dunno.
It's a hedgehog (harinezumi) in Japanese. - It looks more like a wolf.
Wolfes are cooler. - All he does is being in the Olympic games every time.
I have one of those!
That's how you own a game with him?
Yeah on the Wii
Do you play games?
I have a Switch. - nice one.
What are you playing? - Smash Brothers.
My younger brother has one. - Have you played yourself?
Sooooometimes. - Playing what?
Smash Brothers and... such
I only play smartphone games.
Mario Kart was super popular at a time. Then that finished.
And then once the boom was over, I personally got into it again myself.
Mario Kart on the phone? - Yes.
Then you all know this character!
That's Mario.
Mario
Which Mario game did you play the most?
The Super Mario Brother's Game on the DS
I played that one a lot.
I played the same game on the Wii
So you all have a strong image of Mario... in that case...
You might know this character too.
That's Sonic.
I have no clue.
Have you seen this character. - Yeah but I don't know the name.
Do you know the title of his games?
No idea. He only seems to run.
I only think of him in connection to the Olympics.
What does this character do?
ISpin.
True. - He only seems to run really.
And fly.
What animal is he based on?
Isn't he a fox? - I think he is a wolf.
He is a cat.
Think of something smaller than that.
He is a hedgehog.
I see... - He is spikey...
I get it.
Sonic THE HEDGEHOG.
I didn't know that.
Do you sometimes play games?
Yeah I do sometimes.
I played them on the PS4... and such...
Then you know this character?
I know him!
That's Mario.
I used to play Mario Kart
Do you know this next character then ?
Oh that's Sonic. - Yeah.
Did you ever play a Sonic game?
The one with all characters in it. - Smash Brother's? - YEah that one.
He sometimes appears in it.
Me and my friend played with him as character on Smash Brothers
Do you know his original games?
No clue. - Nope.
It's a little similar to Super Mario Brothers.
What do you think he does in his games?
He is super fast so...
He is a fast runner.
What animal is he? - A fox
I think the same. He is a fox.
He is a hedgehog. - What how?
Now looking at him like that.....
He speeds up and then rolls. Like how hedgehogs can roll up.
Do you think Japanese people don't know Sonic much?
I think he is definitely not as famous as Mario.
Nintendo made Mario....
And what is Sonic then? - Not Nintendo?
He is in Smash Brother'S now but originally he is not Nintendo.
A company that starts with S....
Sonic? .... It's not Sony? ....
Se?
Sega? Is it called like that? - SEGA?
Can you game?
I am not sure I can game.
Well, it depends on what kind of game.
What was the last game you played? - Dragon Ball on my phone.
Who is this character then?
That's Mario.
Have you played Mario games? - Of course. On the DS and such.
When we were little.
What games did you play?
The one where he runs and goes into a goal or pipe.
He jumps and opens boxes.
There is a similar famous character...
Who is this one?
That's Sonic!
How do you know about him?
What is he...? I think he is in the Olympic games...
There is a Mario and Sonic Olympic games game
What animal is he?
He is a hedgehog.
What is that so?
He is called Sonic the Hedgehog.
I see.
You know a lot!
I used to play one of the original sonic games.
I like Sonic a lot.
But personally....
I played a game where he doesn't run but actually goes on vehicles and joins races.
That's how I remembered many of those characters.
I don't remember the story much, compared to Super Mario Brothers.
Might be similar to it though. -Whaaaat?
Some people played a litlte bit of Sonic, some people didn't really know what i was about
we just wanted to compare if there is a cultural difference.
You let us know how different it is in your country. I think Sonic is pretty much....
not much.....
known anymore. Yeah. Segaaaaaa.... unfortunately but they still
include him in all the Olympic games so that's a good one.
And uhm.
Obviously Super Smash Brothers.
Cause I play Super Smash Brothers.
I can't really see any other new releases of Sonic but you might know more.
There is gonna be a real life adaptation of the Sonic Movie which has been like...
people have been debating about the graphics and stuff.
But none of the people I spoke to here in Japan actually knew that there was a real life adaptation
No one gave him that much thought. Which I found a bit of a shame but hey...
Let's see maybe things will change once that movie is out properly.
We'll find out.
Do you know something about Sonic or not>
Are there any game characters in your opinion, that are very undervalued?
Let us know about these.
In the comments down below.
It's what I'd like to find out. Also don't forget...
If you're new subscribe, hit the notification bell, and the subscribe button and the notification bell...
and don'T forget to leave a like and I hope I catch you soon for more stuff on Ask Japanese soon. Bye.