Pac-Man, celebrating his 45th anniversary this year, and Sonic, who will mark his 35th anniversary next year, are two Japanese born characters beloved worldwide. Their influence extends far beyond games, spanning films, animation, fashion items, and merchandise.

This time, the two characters who have been running through history for decades meet in the real world for a special conversation. What kind of relationship do they share? What defines their individual appeal and their “lives”?

Here is a rare dialogue between Pac-Man and Sonic, who are collaborating in new games, presented with partial “interpretation” along the way.

Friends for a Long Time: Memories of Letters and Gifts From Sonic

Pac-Man, with his yellow round body and signature habit of eating everything in sight, was born as an arcade game in 1980 and quickly gained worldwide recognition. Beyond gaming, he has actively collaborated with brands such as beautiful people and Converse, earning popularity as a fashion icon and becoming familiar even to non gamers.

Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog, known for his supersonic speed, debuted in the 1991 game Sonic the Hedgehog and has since been loved both in Japan and overseas. With collaborations involving Mario, Hello Kitty, LEGO, and Puma, Sonic has also flourished as a global IP.

The two characters are currently collaborating in the latest games PAC MAN WORLD 2 Re PAC by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Sonic Racing CrossWorlds by SEGA.

ーーFirst of all, congratulations to Pac-Man on your 45th anniversary. Sonic, anniversaries like this may not exist in your world, but in the human world it is a time for celebration. A word from you?

Sonic
Great. That’s amazing. I don’t really get the whole “number of years” thing, but it means you’ve been running for a really long time, right? Pac-Man has always been energetic and happy, making everyone feel brighter. I want to sincerely say congratulations.

Pac-Man
Waka Waka Waka.

ーーRight… we’ll have an interpreter step in for Pac-Man’s comments.

Pac-Man
Sonic, thank you as always. I’m so happy that we get to play together in games and eat lots of food together. I’ll keep staying energetic and happy, and let’s keep making everyone smile together.

A Life in a Maze vs A Life of Speed

ーーWe hear that you have been close friends for a long time. How well do you know each other?

Pac-Man
That’s right. Sonic and I have been friends for a long time. It’s not from when we first met, but recently, in the world of PAC MAN WORLD 2 Re PAC, Sonic sent me a letter and some presents. There were three new collaboration stages, collaboration costumes, so many gifts. The moment I got them, I felt so excited, thinking, “Alright, let’s jump into even newer worlds.” Sonic really lives up to his reputation with gifts like that.

Sonic
That time was awesome. We ran together in Pac Land and took down Eggman. I honestly didn’t expect Pac-Man to be such a fast runner, so it surprised me in a good way. Pac-Man just loves to eat, and the way he chomps his way out of any tough situation is really cool. Our styles are different, but maybe we’re similar in how we enjoy whatever situation we’re in.

ーーPac-Man explores through mazes, while Sonic races at full speed. What has been difficult, and what has made you happy?

Pac-Man
I’ve never really thought about it. I’m usually in mazes with the ghosts. Blinky, Inky, Pinky, and Clyde are always chasing me, so escaping can be tough. But because of that, when I accomplish something or encounter something fun, that excitement feels incredibly rewarding. Of course, eating fruit and cookies is also the best time ever.

Sonic
Having to stay still is the toughest part for me. When Eggman captures me and locks me up, the boredom almost drives me crazy. On the other hand, something good happens every day. For me, every day is an adventure full of excitement.
Interviewer: If you were to compare your paths to life itself, how would you describe them?

Pac-Man
I don’t really understand life all that well, but there are lots of paths. In the maze, all kinds of things happen. Sometimes I get caught by ghosts, but if I keep running, I might suddenly find a fruit or a power cookie and turn things around in one move. Sometimes I even end up chasing the ghosts. You never know what will happen, and that’s what makes it fun.

Sonic
If my life is about speed, then it’s about running straight toward whatever catches my interest. Even small detours can turn into real adventures. When it comes to always moving forward, Pac-Man and I are the same. His maze and my pathless roads are both thrilling courses in their own way.

Source : ORICON NEWS