A visitor poses for a photo with a Crayon Shin-chan model during an exhibition at Joy City in Beijing May 5, 2015. The exhibition, which showcased fifty models of the Japanese cartoon character in different poses and expressions, will run from April 18 to June 22. (Photo by Jason Lee/Reuters)

Buddha statues with a variety of faces shapes and unique characters at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple on January 11, 2012 in Bintan Island, Indonesia. 500 statues are situated inside the temple featuring Ksitigarbha Hodhisattva, known as the Bodhisattva of Hell because of his vow not to achieve Buddha-hood until “all the hells are empty”. (Photo by Yuli Seperi/Getty Images)

A man works on a tattoo during the 8th Expotattoo Colombia Fair in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia on July 14, 2017. The event – which is in its eighth year – attracted plenty of colourful characters. (Photo by Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP Photo)

“A magician has spent the last 12 months creating a different amazing balloon model every day – including cartoon characters and even a life-sized balloon bike. Magician Rob Driscoll, or Robbie the Wizard as he is known in his magic act, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, has fashioned balloons into various shapes for the past year. He has spent time creating famous cartoon characters such as Gru from Despicable Me, Spongebob Squarepants and Sonic the Hedgehog, which he gives away to children at his shows”. – Caters News Agency. Photo: “Scorpian”. (Photo by Rob Driscoll/Caters News Agency)

Two Chinese farmers got more than they bargained for when they pulled up the root of a fleece flower – and came face-to-face with the doppelganger of Homer Simpson, on May 17, 2013. The large root appears to have two bulging eyes and a prominent nose – giving it an uncanny resemblance to the famous cartoon character. With two offshoot roots shaped like arms, it even looks like it is pondering or confused – just what you would expect from the real Homer. (Photo by ImagineChina)

Heesco, Windsor. Born and raised in Mongolia and now living and working in Melbourne, Heesco is well known for his skill in rendering photo-realistic portraits. They speak to the viewer in a way that the subtext is enjoyable to decipher. Just what is the Blue Lady’s message? The sunglasses might mask the confronting gaze but her body language fills in the gaps. Heesco’s characters often wear traditional jewellery and clothing that remind us of his Mongolian cultural heritage. (Photo by Lou Chamberlin/The Guardian)

An employee places goods of Pokemon video game characters on display at a Pokemon store in Tokyo on February 26, 2021. Twenty-five years after Pokemon first began delighting children and adults alike, the phenomenon is still capturing hearts, with smartphone craze Pokemon Go enjoying record success in virus-hit 2020. (Photo by Behrouz Mehri/AFP Photo)