Omochao

Omochao is a Chao-shaped robot from the  franchise that makes several appearances in the Mario & Sonic series. In both series, Omochao usually appears in various places throughout the game to provide the player with advice and information. Omochao's name is a portmanteau of Japanese word「おもちゃ」(omocha), meaning "toy", with the species name "Chao".

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Omochao makes a cameo appearance in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, where he appears in the crowd for most of the events, as well as briefly during the game's opening.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
Omochao makes appearances in the crowd in both versions of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. In addition to this, Omochao will also send the player some mail in the Wii version. He has a much larger role in the Nintendo DS version of the game, where he appears in the Adventure Tours mode of the game. Here, he can be found in various crates and barrels in each area, sometimes multiple times, and when found he will initially thank the player for helping him out of the box. Talking to him after this will allow the player to ask him for hints and information to help them progress through the mode. He also appears on the unlockable picture of the various non-playable characters.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
As well as reappearing in the audience in both versions of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Omochao also appears in the London Party mode in the Wii version, where the player can talk to him to play a minigame, and can also obtain a sticker with him on. He will also occasionally send the player mail.

Omochao appears more prominently in the Nintendo 3DS version, where he appears in the 20km Race Walk, Omnium and Triathlon Events to provide the player with hints and information about the event, as well as acting as the referee in Tennis (Singles) and Fencing - Epée. He also makes several appearances in the game's Story mode, initially helping Mario, Luigi and Toad investigate the Phantasmal Fog at the Main Stadium, where he remains to help. He later appears when the fog has been cleared and when the rainbow-colored fog begins setting in to help clear it up, and supports Mario, Luigi, Sonic and Tails when they take on Bowser and Dr. Eggman. Omochao makes an appearance at the opening ceremony, as well as in the picture shown at the end of the credits, and also makes a final appearance where he is rescued from some of Dr. Eggman's robots by Bowser Jr., who he encourages to challenge Shadow and Silver. A badge of Omochao can be obtained from the badge machine, and he also appears to host the Party News event that occasionally happens in Party Mix medleys.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Omochao makes another cameo appearance as a member of the crowd in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, as well as appearing as a reporter when the player achieves a new record in an event.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
As well as making an appearance in the crowd once again, Omochao also appears running the Rio 2016 Item Stand on Copacabana Beach in the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Omochao also appears in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where he once again appears in the crowd and has a role in the game's story mode. Here, several versions of him appear in the explorable Tokyo 2020 locations, and when talked to he will provide the player with facts about the location and the Olympic Games, occasionally providing them with a piece of trivia as well.

Portrayals

 * Lani Minella (2001-2009)
 * Laura Bailey (2011-2016)
 * Erica Lindbeck (2019-present)
 * Etsuko Kozakura (Japanese; 2001-present)
 * Delphine Braillon (French; 2011-present)
 * Sabrina Bonfitto (Italian; 2011-present)
 * Tabea Börner (German; 2011-present)
 * Sofía García (Spanish; 2011-present)