Google's annual Frightgeist list, which tracks trending Halloween costumes based on search data, has highlighted Verity, a character originating from within the popular sandbox game Minecraft. The list, released ahead of the upcoming Halloween season, indicates significant public interest in the digitally-derived horror figure.
Verity ranks seventh on the overall trending costumes list. The character is featured in a horror web series by ThatMob, set within the Minecraft universe. Verity is depicted as a smiling face that progressively becomes more unsettling. This fictional character should not be confused with the film of the same name starring Anne Hathaway.
According to Google's data, searches for Verity costumes were most concentrated in Los Angeles, California. The Frightgeist list is topped by Buddy the Unicorn from director Casper Kelly's horror movie, with Nikki from Curry Barker's viral horror hit Obsession also making an appearance.
Other notable trending costumes this year include Agamemnon (from The Odyssey), Lily Love Braids (from Poppy Playtime), Oliver Tree, Carl (from Dungeon Crawler Carl), Disco Scooby Doo, and Hazel Hook (from Descendants).
Google also compiles specialized trending lists for children, pets, and duo costumes. Among the top trending kids' costumes are Dolly Parton, Ella Langley, Shakira, and Pomni. For pets, popular searches include Centipede, Dolly Parton, and Princess Donut. Duo costume trends feature Disco Scooby and Shaggy, Nikki and Bear, and Woody and Bullseye.