Top Games with the Highest Number of Tattoo References or Depictions
Top Video Game Characters Trending as Tattoos
A new study has revealed the most popular video game characters among tattoo enthusiasts, based on Instagram posts and related social media data. The findings show that Pikachu, Mario, and Kratos lead the pack, with a strong presence also seen for characters like Majin Buu, Link, and Jin Sakai.
Pikachu (from Pokémon) takes the top spot decisively. With over 10.7 million TikTok views under #pikachutattoo and about 10.74 million views combined on Instagram and TikTok, Pikachu is a clear favourite. The character also boasts roughly 1,100 Instagram hashtags, making it the top choice likely due to Pokémon’s global appeal.
Mario, the iconic plumber, ranks second with 27,500 Instagram hashtags and over 7,000 monthly Google searches for Mario-themed tattoos. His recent movie adaptation has helped boost his popularity as a tattoo subject.
Kratos from God of War ranks third, featuring nearly 10,000 monthly Google searches for tattoos and 2.9 million TikTok views under #kratostattoo. His gritty design and recent game releases maintain strong demand for his tattoos.
Other notable characters appearing on Instagram include Majin Buu from Dragon Ball Z, a popular choice among fans. Link from The Legend of Zelda series also features prominently, with many tattoos shared under hashtags related to the latest games like "Tears of the Kingdom". Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima is showcased in tattoo reels, despite having lower hashtag counts compared to the top three.
While specific hashtag counts for these latter characters are lower compared to the top three, they remain popular tattoo choices within their fan communities on Instagram.
The Legend of Zelda takes the second spot as the most tattooed video game, with 59,155 Instagram posts. Pikachu is the world’s most tattooed video game character, with 21,492 Instagram posts. Pokemon is the most tattooed video game, with 195,504 Instagram posts mentioning Pokemon tattoos.
Super Mario ranks third as the most tattooed video game, with 19,628 Instagram posts. Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy, and Bioshock also make it to the top ten most tattooed video games, each with over 5,000 Instagram posts.
The study was conducted by looking at Instagram hashtags that included the game name and character’s name followed by 'tattoo'. It's important to note that the data provided represents the number of Instagram posts, not the number of tattoos themselves.
Princess Zelda is the most inked character from The Legend of Zelda. Yoshi, a character from Super Mario, is the ninth most tattooed video game character, with 3,463 Instagram posts.
The analysis did not include any advertisements. This research provides valuable insights into the preferences of tattoo enthusiasts when it comes to video game characters, offering a fascinating look into the world of gaming and body art.
\n\n [1] Data from Instagram posts and related social media data, May 17, 2021. \n\n [2] Data from Instagram posts, May 17, 2021. \n\n [3] Data from Instagram posts, May 17, 2021. \n\n [4] Data from Instagram posts, May 17, 2021.
- The blog post about popular video game characters as tattoos mentions that tattoos featuring characters from Dragon Ball Z, such as Majin Buu, are a popular choice among fans.
- In the world of gaming and body art, technology has played a significant role in making it easier for tattoo enthusiasts to connect and share photos of their gadget-inspired tattoos, like those based on games, characters, or gaming equipment.
