# Gaming Developer Character Mashups Butcher Billy Adds Shigeru Miyamoto's Face to Nintendo Stars By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2013-09-17 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shigeru-miyamoto References: [ianbrooks.me](http://ianbrooks.me/post/61530225819/super-miyamoto-super-star-by-butcher-billy) & [butcherbilly.tumblr](http://butcherbilly.tumblr.com/post/61496455880/shigeru-miyamoto-super-star-tribute-project-by) As [Nintendo's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protohologram) video game designer and producer, Shigeru Miyamoto is associated with some of the most [iconic video game characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-de-guzman-1). To pay homage to the contributions that Miyamoto has made to the world of gaming, artist Butcher Billy created a series of portraits depicting Miyamoto as many of the characters he has brought to life. The series shows the iconic Japanese video game designer and producer as characters like [Mario, Link](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-happy-meal-toys) and even arch-enemies like Wario and Bowser. Each wears a comical expression, which perfectly captures each character's spirit, like the mischievous nature of Boo and the perfectly sunny disposition of Princess Peach. As widely-recognized as these characters are, this mashup is a fun way to help put a face to the man who created them. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Video Game Designer Portraits:** An opportunity for artists to create unique visual interpretations of video game designers and their characters. - **Character Mashup Art:** An emerging trend of artists creating mashups of popular characters in a variety of industries. - **Disruptive Tribute Art:** Artists disrupting traditional portrait art with nontraditional and unexpected mashup concepts. ### Where This Applies - **Gaming:** Video game companies can create limited edition and collector's items featuring designer/character mashups. - **Art:** More artists can create mashup art for video games, movies, and television shows to capture nostalgic elements of renowned characters. - **Entertainment Merchandise:** Opportunity to produce and sell merchandise featuring character mashups, to appeal to nostalgic and enthusiastic fans. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Holographic Video Game Characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protohologram.md) - [Nostalgic Gaming Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oreo-x-super-mario.md) - [Cozy Video Game Loungewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-mario-meets-gelato-pique.md) - [Video Game Refreshment Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suntory-x-super-mario.md) - [Game-Themed Noodle Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-mario-powerup-shapes.md) - [Playing Card-Themed Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nintendo-5.md) - [Video Game Travel Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nintendo-super-mario-travel-items.md) - [Cartoon-Inspired Plush Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/build-a-bear.md) - [Video Game-Themed Candy Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-hershey-company-and-nintendo.md)