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Source: forbes.com -> http://www.forbes.com/lists/2004/10/18/cz_04fictionland.html?partner=yahoo&referrer=

10/21/04

Special Report

Top-Earning Fictional Characters

Vanessa Gisquet and Lacey Rose, 10.21.04, 7:00 AM ET

The characters on this list may be make-believe, but the dollar signs are real. According to our calculations, the top ten fictional characters grossed more than $25 billion in 2003. Media giants like The Walt Disney Co. and Viacom took home most of that revenue, but videogame makers, publishing companies and toymakers like Mattel and Hasbro cashed in too.

1.) Mickey Mouse - $5.8 billion
2.) Winnie the Pooh & Friends - $5.6 billion
3.) Frodo Baggins, Lord of the Rings - $2.9 billion
4.) Harry Potter - $2.8 billion
5.) Nemo, Finding Nemo - $2 billion
6.) Yu-Gi-Oh! - $1.6 billion
7.) Spongebob Squarepants - $1.5 billion
8.) Spider-Man - $1.3 billion
9.) Wolverine, X-men - $900 million
10.) Pikachu, POKéMON - $825 million

Creator: Satoshi Tajiri
Birth Date: 1996
Debut Role: Pokémon Red & Pokémon Green, videogames
Known Associates: Charizard, Mudkip, Charmander, Squirtle, Totodile, Kyogre

Over the last nine years, the success of Pokémon (more than 150 little monsters) has extended beyond its original Japanese borders. With a television show, trading cards, videogames and more, fans throughout the world are striving to capture them all. And with $825 million in worldwide sales last year, the mania surrounding these little monsters has not showed any signs of dying down.

Cashing In: The Pokémon Co., Nintendo, 4Kids Entertainment, Hasbro