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Google Search adds AR Pac-Man, 3D Hello Kitty, Gundam, and other Japanese characters

Over the past few years, Google Search has added 3D models for various animals, dinosaurs, insects, planets, and other education items. Google is now introducing AR Pac-Man, 3D Hello Kitty, and Gundam with 14 iconic Japanese characters in total. 

Google is now “bringing characters from classic Japanese anime, games and TV shows to life” after an initial focus on models that bring the real world indoors and others that help people learn about science, biology, and anatomy.

Japan’s anime and video game culture emerged between the 1950s and the 1980s, as comic books, gaming arcades and home TVs and consoles boomed. But it wasn’t just a Japanese phenomenon. The most iconic characters caught people’s imaginations around the world, and they’re still hugely popular today. 

In total, 14 characters are available:

UltramanGundam Odysseus
Ultraman ZeroKogimyun
Ultraman BelialTaiko Master
GomorraPac-Man
EvangelionHello Kitty
Xi GundamPompompurin
Gundam PenelopeLittle Twin Stars
Google 3D Hello Kitty

AR Pac-Man, 3D Hello Kitty, and the other models in Google Search are available on most modern Android and iOS devices. Just search for them in a mobile browser or through the Google app, and scroll until you find the animated card inviting you to launch the experience “in your space.”

Tapping will play sound and various effects with Google sometimes linking to YouTube channels for characters. Of course, the main attraction is placing them in your environment to take pictures and create videos of viral moments.

Don’t forget to tag your photos and videos on social with #Google3D.

More Google AR:

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com