Metal Sonic is the fictional "robotic counterpart" and a rival of video game character Sonic the Hedgehog. Metal Sonic was created by Kazuyuki Hoshino (Sonic Team USA Art Director). Being a robot, Metal Sonic has no gender; however, Metal Sonic is referred to as being male, since he is a robot based on a male character, as well as having seemingly masculine programming. According to official polls, Metal Sonic is the most popular villain in the series, and the second most wanted character for future appearances, beaten only by Shadow the Hedgehog. His appearance is a robotic version of Sonic's original look.