SEGA has announced today that Dr. Eggman will shave his iconic moustache for the first time in over 30 years to celebrate the new partnership between Movember, the leading men’s health charity, and Sonic Superstars. One of the most recognised villains in video game history, the chief antagonist for Sonic the Hedgehog has picked up a pair of clippers and will sport a new look for the duration of November.
To help raise awareness for men’s health, SEGA also commissioned research which discovered a third (34%) of 16-24-year-old men have participated in Movember. Almost a fifth (18%) were inspired to grow their first moustache because they wanted to look like their favourite character. Freddie Mercury (20%) was voted to have the most iconic moustache in popular culture. Still, Dr. Eggman (12%) featured ahead of the likes of wrestler Hulk Hogan (9%), pop star Prince (8%), and the anchorman Ron Burgundy (7%).
The study found that two out of five (39%) Gen-Z believe that moustaches are fashionable right now, leading a third (35%) of 16-24-year-old men to sport a moustache currently and three out of five (62%) to admit they have tried to grow one before.
The rise of the moustache is also playing a role in their dating lives. A quarter (23%) of Gen-Z think a moustache makes a man more attractive, and a fifth (20%) are more likely to date a man who has a hairy upper lip. Indeed, one in ten (8%) go as far as saying they would only date a man who has a moustache, and 14% confess they would get “the ick” if they found out the man they were dating was incapable of growing one. One in ten (11%) 16-24-year-old men admit they have a moustache because their partner encouraged them to grow one, while a fifth (18%) tried and failed.
A quarter (27%) of 16-24-year-old men think a moustache makes them look more mature and a fifth (21%) say it makes them feel more confident, leading one in ten (10%) to admit the facial hair empowers them to adopt a whole new persona. Meanwhile, a fifth (22%) like having a moustache because it’s an interesting conversation starter to break the ice and half (48%) say they are complimented on their moustache at least once per week.
Daniel Lazarides, EMEA Vice President of Central Marketing at SEGA, said:
“We have long admired all the important work that Movember does to support men’s health, and we’re thrilled to help raise awareness for an incredible cause by removing one of the most renowned moustaches in popular culture history. Sonic Superstars pays homage to the classic 2D side scrollers of the 1990s, so now was the perfect time to present Dr. Eggman in a way that fans have never seen before, without the moustache he has worn for over 30 years. Make sure that you join Dr. Eggman by getting sponsored to grow your mo’ this November!”
Anne-Cecile Berthier, UK & EU Country Director for Movember, said:
“When we heard that SEGA and Sonic Superstars wanted to support Movember by shaving Dr. Eggman’s iconic moustache for the very first time, we knew the result would be eye-catching. Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the world’s most famous video game franchises, and we’re grateful for Dr. Eggman pausing his dream of dominating the world to help us raise awareness for men’s health. We hope our partnership with SEGA will inspire more people to get involved and support our fundraising drive this Movember.”
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