When you were a kid, did you ever draw your favorite cartoon characters and logos on your school folder? Consider the Nike swoosh or adidas iconic three stripes, hands down two of the most well-known logos in the world; both are a testament to how brand association can based on a simple, recognizable logo. However, much like a logo for say an NBA team or the iconic Jumpman, a cartoon characters can hold just as much brand equity on a global scale. Essentially, cartoon and video game characters are a powerful branding tool.
Considering that Mario Bros was first released in 1983, the fact the titular character is still relevant is a testament to a character's staying power in pop culture. Like a sneaker, a video game receives multiple releases. So as Mario and Luigi changed from 8-bit figures to the mustached plumbers we know them as today, they basically became the brand ambassadors for Nintendo.
Looking at this from a fashion perspective, wearing a logo is attuned to brand loyalty. If you were to wear a shirt with Reebok logo on it, 9/10 people would know what that is. We've seen plenty of logos pass through the #angelusdirect page, from Louis Vuitton to Gucci to Supreme. And that isn't to mention a good of Kanye worship thrown in the mix. Who doesn't love a good Takashi Murakami inspired custom?
Recently, we've seen a lot of great character designs popping up on different customs. Many of these are based on old-school video characters, Saturday morning favorites, and some of Japan's greatest cartoon exports.
(Source: @feelgoodthreads)
Seeing these classic characters on customs is a great reminder to how impactful cartoons and video games were on a generation. Let us know who your favorite childhood cartoon character was and tag us at #angelusdirect!