Pokémon controversy: Difference between revisions

There have been numerous '''controversies''' regarding the [[Pokémon]] franchise in its various forms and media.

==In the TCG==

The Western world generally associates the swastika with the {{wp|fascism|fascist}} and {{wp|racism|racist}} policies of {{wp|Nazi Germany}} during the course of {{wp|World War II}}, as well as hate, prejudice and {{wp|white supremacy}} in general. However, the swastika has its roots as a symbol of peace and good luck by many cultures. The earliest form of the swastika discovered was one used in Ancient India. It also was found in cultures that had no connection with India, such as Native American and First Nation cultures. It was because of its long and ancient history that {{wp|Adolf Hitler}} adopted it as the Nazi Party symbol, as he felt it to be—among other things—a connection to Aryan ancestors who lived in Ancient India.

Since World War II, however, its use has diminished, but it is still commonly used by other cultures who either didn't have any contact with the Nazis or who still identify the swastika more as a symbol of peace than as a symbol of hate. In India and its neighboring countries, the swastika represents love and mercy, as well as wealth and good fortune. In Asian countries, such as China, Japan and (South) Korea, the swastika can be found on maps to represent Buddhist temples. In all of these nations, the swastika can also be found on all kinds of media, businesses, buildings, and clothing like any other symbol. However, it is because of its liberal use that the swastika can create international miscommunications, such as its use on the Japanese version of Koga's Ninja Trick.

==In the anime==

===Perceived Nazi imagery===

===Pokémon Shock===

 

 

==In the games==

===Perceived Nazi imagery===

In European releases of {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, the sprite art for {{p|Registeel}} is altered slightly. In the Japanese, Korean, and English releases, Registeel's arm is extended. In non-English European versions an altered sprite is used, depicting it with both of its arms down, presumably due to the original pose's resemblance to the {{wp|Roman salute}}, infamously {{wp|Nazi salute|used}} by (and therefore commonly associated with) the German {{wp|Nazism|Nazi Party}}. In all versions of {{game|Platinum}} and {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, the revised sprite is used.

Over the years, there has been a growing distaste towards gambling and the exposure of it to minors. Due to the unpredictable "risk-it-all" nature of the activity and the high impressionability of youths (whose brains are still in development and are more likely to be permanently influenced by certain stimuli), more and more people have voiced their opposition towards allowing minors to partake in gambling and/or gambling-esque activities, with gambling in video games falling under particular scrutiny. As a result, the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) organization implemented stricter guidelines that limited gambling to adult-oriented video games and rated all games featuring gambling 18+. While such restrictions are absent in other territories, many nations (the United States in particular) perceive gambling in video games as socially unacceptable, leading to the ''Pokémon'' games slowly phasing the concept out from [[Generation III]] onwards.{{fact}}

 

English releases of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} renamed the {{tc|PI|Gambler}} Trainer class to '''Gamer''' and altered their dialogue to remove references to gambling. The English versions of the [[Generation IV]] games renamed Gamblers once more but to '''{{wp|Private investigator|PI}}''' instead; however, the references to gambling were kept.

In South Korea, the releases of {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}} replaced the [[slot machine]]s in the [[Veilstone Game Corner]] with non-playable [[Slot machine#Korean Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum / European Platinum|game machines]]. These changes were later copied to the releases of Pokémon Platinum in Europe as a result of changes in the classification standards at {{wp|Pan European Game Information|PEGI}}.<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/european-pokemon-platinums-missing-game-corner-explained/ European Pokemon Platinum's missing Game Corner explained | GamesRadar] ([https://archive.today/mRcAt archived copy])</ref> This change has been greatly criticized by European players, who felt that it completely defeated the purpose and concept of the Game Corner.

All non-Japanese releases of {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}} replace the slot machines of the two Game Corners in [[Goldenrod City]] and [[Celadon City]] with a new game called [[Voltorb Flip]]. In this minigame, [[coin]]s are not wagered against a win or a loss but instead given out for completing a level. While many find the game to be entertaining, the change removed the ability to buy coins, effectively making Voltorb Flip a requirement for obtaining them.

All [[core series]] games since {{game|Black and White|s}} remove the Game Corner entirely, remakes included. This is referenced in {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, where the [[Mauville Game Corner]] has been closed down; the owner will instead provide the player with three dolls. In the [[Virtual Console]] re-releases of the [[Generation I]] games, however, the Game Corner was completely untouched, although the games were rated 12 by PEGI.

Following the American airing of ''[[Holiday Hi-Jynx]]'' in 1999, {{wp|Carole Boston Weatherford}}, an African-American cultural critic, claimed that {{p|Jynx}} was a negative racial stereotype of African-Americans, due to the Pokémon's black skin, oversized facial features, and resemblance to drag performers, who were typical in minstrel shows. She chiefly compared Jynx to the racist characters in ''{{wp|The Story of Little Black Sambo}}'', and further compared Jynx to {{wp|Mr. Popo}} of the {{wp|Dragon Ball}} franchise, a character who is also potentially offensive in his design.

Weatherford's complaint caused many repercussions in the Pokémon franchise. The sprites of Jynx in the Western releases of {{game2|Gold|Silver|Crystal}} were edited, and all episodes featuring Jynx's original design were cut from international airings of the anime, including a sequence depicting Jynx in its original design in ''[[AG013|All Things Bright and Beautifly!]]''.

Jynx's design was officially revised by [[Game Freak]] to be purple rather than black, starting with the international releases of {{g|Gold and Silver}} and being included in all version of the games from [[Generation III]]-onwards. This change was reflected in later [[core series]] games, including in Japan and South Korea, beginning with {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, and in the {{pkmn|anime}} starting in ''[[AG115|Mean With Envy]]''. Jynx has also been recolored in [[VIZ Media]]'s reissues of [[Pokémon Adventures]]. Although the manga is colored in black-and-white, Jynx appearing in the manga are recolored as a dark gray rather than a straight black, suggesting that they are purple instead of black. It is also recolored to purple on the back cover of the reissue of {{PAV|4}}. Jynx's skin was also recolored to purple when ''Holiday Hi-Jynx'' finally saw a re-airing in Japan in 2012; nevertheless, the episode is still banned in the US due to the implications of African American-esque characters being subservient to a powerful Caucasian figure.

In recent years, some fans of Pokémon have noted that Jynx may be inspired by {{wp|ganguro}}, a Japanese fashion where women tan heavily, bleach their hair, and apply large amounts of makeup, instead of a black stereotype. This theory is mainly based on Jynx's long, straight, blonde hair, a common attribute of ganguro fashion. Another theory is that Jynx is based on a Nordic princess as per the legends saying things like due to the blistering cold, a princess's skin turned black. They argue that Jynx's hair looks more like royalty than an African stereotype. They also say that being based on a {{wp|Viking}} could be the reason why they are {{t|Ice}} type. This is further expressed by Jynx sharing traits with the iconic opera singing "{{wp|It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings|Fat Lady}}," who is portrayed in pop culture dressed as the {{wp|valkyrie}} {{wp|Brünnhilde}}.

===Materialism and gender inequality===

The francise has been accused of promoting {{wp|Economic materialism|materialism}}, {{wp|consumerism}}, and {{wp|gender inequality}}.<ref>[http://www.popmatters.com/review/pokemon-the-movie-2000/ Pokemon The Movie 2000 (2000) | PopMatters] ([https://archive.is/h4Mpw archived copy])</ref>

 

Some {{wp|Christian fundamentalism|fundamentalist Christian}} groups have accused Pokémon as being linked to {{wp|Satanism}}. The following is a summarized and possibly incomplete list of their reasons for this accusation:

*Pokémon are like demons. They are captured and must be called upon to perform tasks.

*Magical talismans (supposedly a reference to [[Badge|Gym Badges]]) are needed to control them.

**Some Pokémon evolution even requires the use of certain magical [[evolutionary stone|stones]].

*Many Pokémon have extraordinary paranormal powers, notably {{type|Psychic}}s. Those with Psychic powers are labeled as having been given these powers by {{wp|Satan}} in the {{wp|Bible}} itself.

*Many Pokémon embody or practice East Asian spiritual or mystical concepts, being that the franchise originated in Japan. Some Christian groups denounce these as pagan rituals.

*Some claim that if one were to {{wp|backmasking|play backwards}} the [[Kanto Pokérap]], "[[Gotta Catch 'em All!]]" can be heard as "I love you, Satan".

 

In response to these claims, the {{wp|Vatican City}}-based {{wp|TV2000|Sat 2000}} broadcast public approval of Pokémon in April 2000, stating that the games did not have "any harmful moral side effects" and was based on "ties of intense friendship".<ref>[http://nypost.com/2000/04/21/pokemon-earns-papal-blessing/ POKEMON EARNS PAPAL BLESSING | New York Post] ([https://archive.today/5AVJL archived copy])</ref>

 

Some outspoken, fundamentalist Muslims claimed that Pokémon is a Jewish conspiracy that is intended to brainwash Muslim children to make them renounce their faith. These same groups claimed that the word "Pokémon" is a phrase that means "I am Jewish", with the claimers and their followers generally unaware of the franchise's Japanese origin. The "Evolution vs. Creationism" conflict was also commonly brought up.

 

In 2001, the {{wp|Grand Mufti}} of {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}, who is the highest religious authority in the kingdom, issued a {{wp|fatwā}} banning the Pokémon franchise.  It claimed that the franchise promoted {{wp|Zionism}} by displaying a six-pointed star that resembles the {{wp|Star of David}} as well as other religious symbols such as crosses they associated with {{wp|Christianity}} and triangles they associated with {{wp|Freemasonry}} in the TCG and encouraged gambling in the games due to the inclusion of gambling elements, which is in violation of {{wp|Islam|Muslim}} doctrine.<ref>[http://www.theescapist.com/pokemon13.htm The Escapist - Archive - Saudi Bans Pokemon] ([https://archive.is/wPWh6 archived copy])</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1243307.stm BBC News | MIDDLE EAST | Saudi Arabia bans Pokemon] ([https://archive.is/9Hni1 archived copy])</ref>

High Muslim authorities in {{wp|Qatar}} and {{wp|Egypt}} then joined the ban. As this happened during the {{wp|second Intifada}}, a {{wp|Jordan}}ian newspaper printed a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister {{wp|Ariel Sharon}} sitting in a tank and laughing at an Arab man chasing a Pokémon. This is meant to convey that Arabs are distracted from their conflict with the Israelis by popular franchises, with Pokémon as an example of such "distractions."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1258633.stm BBC News | Middle East | Qatari religious leader bans Pokemon]</ref><ref>Peterson, Mark Allen. 'Anthropology & Mass Communication: Media and Myth in the New Millennium'. 2003. Print.</ref>

Despite the initial banning, which quickly wiped away [[Pokémon merchandise]], especially the card game, from markets in Saudi Arabia, Pokémon video games quickly returned to be sold normally, but under much less demand from local consumers. Some Pokémon merchandise, such as the {{OBP|Expedition Base Set|TCG}} reappeared in certain stores a few years later, but newer sets were never brought. Games from [[Generation III]] on seem completely unaffected by the ban.

As noted above, Members of the Jewish civil rights group {{wp|Anti-Defamation League}} accused [[Nintendo]] in 1999 of using a manji, the Japanese name of the {{wp|swastika}} as a {{wp|Buddhism|Buddhist}} symbol, in the Japanese print of {{TCG ID|Gym Challenge|Koga's Ninja Trick|115}} because it is considered offensive to the Jewish people. Nintendo ceased manufacturing the card, a decision that was positively received by the group, which also understood that the symbol was not intended to offend and acknowledged the sensitivity that Nintendo had shown by removing the product.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4525479.html `Swastika' Pokemon card dropped - Chicago Sun-Times | HighBeam Research] ([https://archive.is/cROTU archived copy])</ref>

In 1999, {{wp|Uri Geller}}, a man claiming to be a {{wp|psychic}} who is able to bend spoons with psychic powers, tried to sue Nintendo for [https://duckduckgo.com/?q=60000000+GBP+in+USD £60 million] ([http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=60000000+GBP+in+USD+on+November+2%2C+2000 $86.93 million at the time]), claiming that {{p|Kadabra}}, known as ''Yungerer'' in Japan, was an unauthorized parody of himself.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1003454.stm BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Geller sues Nintendo over Pokémon] ([https://archive.today/AhjVR archived copy])</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/dec/29/2 Nintendo faces £60m writ from Uri Geller | UK News | The Guardian]</ref> Besides Kadabra's use of [[Type-enhancing item#TwistedSpoon|bent spoons]] to enhance its {{t|psychic}} powers, the {{wp|katakana}} for its name (ユンゲラー) is visually similar to the transliteration of his own name into Japanese (ユリゲラー). Another claim was that Kadabra's design is {{wp|Antisemitism|antisemitic}} in nature due to the star on its forehead and the lightning bolts resembling the logo of the {{wp|Waffen-SS}}. He is quoted as saying "Nintendo turned me into an evil, occult Pokémon character. Nintendo stole my identity by using my name and my signature image." The symbols themselves are taken from those used on {{wp|Zener cards}}, which have been used to conduct research into psychic abilities.

As a result, there has not been a Kadabra card in the {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}} since {{TCG|Skyridge}} in 2003 and Kadabra has not appeared in the Pokémon anime since ''[[AG146|Fear Factor Phony]]'', perhaps as a precaution against Geller's history of lawsuits. This is further hinted at by [[Masamitsu Hidaka]]'s interview with PokéBeach in July 2008,<ref>[http://pokebeach.com/2008/07/second-pokemon-interview-with-masamitsu-hidaka-many-interesting-points Second Interview with Masamitsu Hidaka – Many Interesting Points! (July 4th, 2008) « Website News « PokéBeach] ([https://archive.today/ApNJu archived copy])</ref> where he claims that usage of Kadabra on a card is not allowed until an agreement was reached and that the case would not be settled anytime soon.

{{p|Abra}} and {{p|Alakazam}} cards have continued to be printed, despite the fact that this makes it impossible to play Alakazam cards in matches that prevent the use of older cards without a card that specifically allows evolved Pokémon to be played. However, the only {{TCG ID|Mysterious Treasures|Abra|69}} card released after {{tcg|Skyridge}}, in {{tcg|Mysterious Treasures}}, has an attack that allows it to evolve directly into Alakazam, skipping the Kadabra stage. Although this is probably a coincidence, the {{evostone|Everstone}} in the [[core series]] games from [[Generation IV]] onward [[List of glitches in Generation IV#Kadabra Everstone glitch|fails to prevent Kadabra's evolution into Alakazam]].

 

In 1999, as a promotion for ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', {{wp|Burger King}} released a [[1999 Burger King promotional Pokémon toys|series of promotional toys]] in handheld [[Poké Ball]]s with their Kids' Meals. After their daughter suffocated because she had covered her mouth and nose with half of the Poké Ball, two parents set up a website named "Pokémon Kills".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/581493.stm BBC News | AMERICAS | Burger King in Pokemon recall] ([https://archive.today/pffGd archived copy])</ref> In response to this, Burger King recalled the Poké Balls and exchanged them for food for a limited amount of time.