Is Goku the most popular anime character ever?

Just like title says.

Is there any other manga/anime character popular enough to be an ambassador of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? Or to have their own officially recognized day in Japan?

Pikachu probably.

Luffy is probably bigger

@mainjp: lol I just realized there is an official Goku day in Japan wtf. Is he thought popular there? Btw who is luffy

Nvm I looked him up. I recognize him, people really think he's more recognizable than Goku? When I wear my Goku shirt out here in America one in like 5-10 people will be like "hell ya awesome shirt DBZ is the best"

he isnt even the most power character in his own show

@stefano: give it time lol

Pikachu is the most recognizable anime character

Goku is probably the most popular

Yeah probably, or pikachu

Not necessarily most popular as most liked, but easily probably one of the most known.

Goku overrated

If you forget batman then maybe.

Certainly... that is if you don't count Pikachu.

Sailor Moon, Naruto, Luffy, and Astro Boy are also ambassadors for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Kinnikuman also has a holiday officially recognized in Japan.

stupid ass Pikachu is probably more popular. Personally I'd take Goku though.

In Latin America it is veeery popular, like I think Super Broke records last weekend and everything.

@DBZAOTA482: I know...well, except the Kinnikuman thing.

Yes!

Hell yes.

But the haters will disagree.

Beata

He's one of the most popular anime characters of the current generation.

Most popular of all time? That's definitely debatable.

@thedarkpaladin: i wouldn't call him the most popular but probably the recognisable world wide

Idk, there are some other serious contenders. Pikachu comes to mind, Yugi/Kaiba have been mentioned by people I wouldn't even have expected ANY YGO! knowledge from.

In terms of memes, Jojo's can be pretty well-known.

@DBZAOTA482: yes they are but Goku is the main one. According to several sources he outvoted several characters including the ones you listed and Pikachu for the top spot.

Yep he totally is. Goku is the most popular anime character globally. If you are a anime fan, you know him.

Yes. he is the best of the best. He is the Lebron, Kobe, and Michael Jordan of Anime.

It's between Goku and Pikachu. Maybe Ash.

The OP says popular, not powerful, lol. I actually read it that way at first too.

Pikachu is more popular, due to how popular Pokemon is.

Other than that, Goku would probably be the most popular. Even with One Piece selling more copies than Dragon Ball, but that's only because of One Piece's sheer length.

i thought it was Vegeta.

Pikachu > Goku

Completely forgot that Pokémon counts as Anime.

Shrek is the most popular imo. I'll throw down with anyone that says differently.

Goku, Nardo, Ash Ketchum & Pikachu are prolly the most popular protagonists in the West.

Doreamon, Kakichi, Astroboy, Kinnikuman & Sailor Moon are more popular in Japan (along with Goku & Luffy).

@mad_jim: Goku is the most known character, Pikachu is the most loved character..... So i guess you are right

People already pointed it out but Pikachu is the most popular anime character most likely.

(But people in Brazil and Mexico, can't speak for other latin countries, REALLY love DBZ sooooo I don't know)

It's Pikachu, but Goku isn't far behind. Adults who have never even watched anime recognize Goku and Pikachu, or at least the brand they represent.

Goku is on of the worst written characters in shonen history

In the U.S.A id say it is between goku and Pikachu. World I have no idea

This. You can show some random person in a third world country Pikachu, and they'd probably recognize it.

Goku? Ehhh.....much less likely.

goku or pikachu

For me i think most people in the world are going to recognise Pikachu more than Goku.