Pokémon controversy: Difference between revisions
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==Swastika Image== | ==Swastika Image== | ||
Members of the Jewish community accused [[Nintendo]] of using an offensive image in a Japanese version of a trainer card (card pictured to the right). | Members of the Jewish community accused [[Nintendo]] of using an offensive image in a Japanese version of a trainer card (card pictured to the right). | ||
While in the Western world the image of a [[wp:swastika|swastika]] brings thoughts of fascism and racism by association with | While in the Western world the image of a [[wp:swastika|swastika]] brings thoughts of fascism and racism by association with World War II. | ||
==Satanism== | ==Satanism== | ||
Revision as of 07:50, 8 December 2005
There have been numerous controversies over events, images, names, and other themes stemming from Pokémon. This is likely due to the game's extreme popularity elicting a backlash from some members of society.
Imagery, Religion, etc.
Swastika Image
Members of the Jewish community accused Nintendo of using an offensive image in a Japanese version of a trainer card (card pictured to the right).
While in the Western world the image of a swastika brings thoughts of fascism and racism by association with World War II.
Satanism
Some fundamentalist Christian groups have accused Pokémon of being linked to Satan and Satanism.
The following is a summarized and (possibly incomplete) list of their reasoning for this accusation:
- Pokémon are like daemons. They are captured and must be invoked to perform tasks.
- Magical talismans (gym badges) are necessary to control many of them.
- Magical stones are used to evolve certain Pokémon
- Pokémon evolve. The concept of evolution is denied entirely by the most extreme and fundamentalist versions of creationism. Therefore, some people have taken Pokémon to be satanic or otherwise anti-Biblical.
- Many Pokémon have paranormal or Psychic powers. These powers are not derived from God and therefore must stem from Satan.
- Many Pokémon embody or practise Asian spiritual and mystical concepts. For example, some practise martial arts, which some Christian groups denounce as Pagan. The game world also incorporates Asian traditions about elemental forces.
Jewish Plot
Some outspoken Muslims claim that Pokémon is actually some sort of Jewish conspiracy, as a method of brainwashing Islamic children to make them forego or otherwise renounce their faith.
They also claim that the word "Pokeman" is a phrase which means "I am Jewish" in Japanese. This is false.
Racism
Carole Boston Weatherford, a cultural critic, claimed that a Pokémon, Jynx, was a negative racial stereotype of African-Americans. She chiefly compared Jynx to the racist caricatures in Little Black Sambo. She further compared Jynx to Mr. Popo of the Dragonball franchise, a black Japanese character with a similar potentially offensive design. Her complaint caused many repercussions. First The Ice Cave!, an episode prominently featuring Jynx, was banned in English-speaking countries, although many fans who didn't see the alleged racist connection in Jynx chose to believe the episode went untranslated because it was reminiscent of the SARS scare or because Brock is kissed by Jynx in the episode.
However, Jynx was also later cut from an appearance in All Things Bright and Beautifly, indicating that it was Jynx herself that was the problem.
In 2002, Nintendo changed Jynx's skin color to bright purple in response to the controversy. However, her appearance in episode thirteen of Advanced Generation still showed her as being black. Finally, in 2005, Jynx was again prominently featured in an episode and her skin color was changed to bright purple.
Lawsuits
Various lawsuits have been filed against Nintendo and Game Freak regarding Pokémon or Pokémon characters.
Uri Geller
In November 2000, the Israeli psychic Uri Geller attempted to sue Nintendo for 100 million dollars, claiming that the Pokémon Yungerer (Kadabra), was an unauthorized parody of himself. Besides the image of Kadabra, it is noted that in Katakana, ユンゲラー Yungerā is visually similar to ユリゲラー Yuri Gerā. He has also claimed that the Pokémon was anti-Semitic with the star on its forehead and the lighting bolts on its belly representing the Schutzstaffel, or 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 lawsuit was thrown out of the court.
Gambling
A parents' group is suing manufacturers of collectible cards (including Nintendo and Wizard of the Coast) claiming that the collectible nature of randomly purchased cards constitutes illegal gambling.
"Pokémon Kills"
After their son choked to death on part of a Burger King plastic Pokémon toy, two parents set up a website entitled "Pokémon Kills."
As a reaction to this, Burger King voluntarily recalled the toys, exchanging them for food items.
