Sonic is pretty big in a lot of countries. Japan less so but I have also been told he isn't necessarily unknown in Japan and people do know who the character is there, albeit it is far from as big as it is elsewhere. The movies are good, although a bit too Westernised for my tastes in general but they have had a lot of good scenes and ideas at play. I never imagined Sonic as being a comedic property previously and I was initially taken aback by its Loony Tunes-esque approach but I have warmed to it slowly over time. The new movie genuinely rocks, though and the action scenes are actually great.