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Offensive things in Pokemon

Yingxue

Since October 2003
310
Posts
16
Years
    • We all know the story about the angry lady who complained that Jynx was a racial stereotype of a Black woman, and it resulted in Jynx becoming coloured purple.

    We also might know about the famous trainer card which had the swastika on it (But it did not have the meaning the Nazis used. It meant "good luck")

    And the offensive "Holiday at Acopaulo" episode, where James gets inflatable breasts to win a bathing suit contest against Misty.

    But what other seemingly offensive things have you seen that have popped up in Pokemon?
     

    Vendour

    Water & Fire Pokemon Trainer
    64
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    17
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    • Seen Nov 19, 2014
    Skii said:
    The lack of black people in the episodes. [Sorry if I'm wrong, I havent seen that many episodes that are recent]
    Click to expand...
    It makes sense that everyone, or just about everyone would be Japanese or created in the Japanese mindset since it's a Japanese show made by Japanese people. I don't recall there being any white people in the show either.
     
    Last edited:

    Yingxue

    Since October 2003
    310
    Posts
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    Years
    • Vendour said:
    It makes sense that everyone, or just about everyone would be Japanese or created in the Japanese mindset since it's a Japanese show. I don't recall there being any white people in the show either.
    Click to expand...

    Well, if by "White People" you mean people from Europe, America, etc, then no, I don't think there were any white people in Pokemon.

    But based on appearance, everyone in Pokemon was White-looking.
     

    Yingxue

    Since October 2003
    310
    Posts
    16
    Years
    • Skii said:
    Except Brock.

    And no I dont mean from Europe, America etc.
    Click to expand...

    Brock doesn't much resemble a Black person. I'd say he resembles an Asian person more. If I were extremely politically correct, I'd say he's a racist stereotype because of his eyes being slanted.

    But I'm not.

    His appearance does imply that he's Asian.

    Of course. They're all Asian, aren't they? I mean, they all have Japanese names.
     

    Vendour

    Water & Fire Pokemon Trainer
    64
    Posts
    17
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    • Seen Nov 19, 2014
    Ro-ohs said:
    Well, if by "White People" you mean people from Europe, America, etc, then no, I don't think there were any white people in Pokemon.

    But based on appearance, everyone in Pokemon was White-looking.
    Click to expand...
    Based on appearance almost all anime characters look white. But that is only the anime art style. Brock particularly doesn't look Asian or black to me. But yes, they're all Asian. But if race was an offensive issue in Pokemon, it should be the lack of every race other than Asians, not just black people.

    Here's another one: Some people don't like that Pokemon appears as a show in which people fight "animals" against each other.
     
    Last edited:

    Yingxue

    Since October 2003
    310
    Posts
    16
    Years
    • Vendour said:
    Based on appearance almost all anime characters look white. But that is only the anime art style. Brock particularly doesn't look Asian or black to me. But yes, they're all Asian. But if race was an offensive issue in Pokemon, it should be the lack of every race other than Asians, not just black people.

    Here's another one: Some people don't like that Pokemon appears as a show in which people fight "animals" against each other.
    Click to expand...

    Yes, that one's a big one.

    Another one would be the Saudi Arabians banning Pokemon because they think it's Zionist (Does that mean Jewish, by any chance?) and it promoted gambling.

    LOL @ Saudi Arabia...Where did they come up with the assumption that they use the star of David in Pokemon?
     

    Jamie006

    Old School Pokémaster
    105
    Posts
    16
    Years
    • Seen Mar 18, 2008
    Saudi Arabia thought it was Zionist because a six-pointed star is used as the symbol for the colorless energy type in the TCG, and the Star of David is a six-pointed star. Sounds crazy, but that's Saudi Arabia for you.

    Also, there was the usual outcry from a few groups of Christian Fundamentalists that Pokemon was "of the devil" or whatever because of the use of psychic powers and a number of other things.

    Regarding the last thing I mentioned, I recall one person getting mad about the Channelers in Pokemon Tower back in R/B/Y, and specifically mentioning that one of them said "Give me your soul." Well, fast forward a couple years to when I was playing LeafGreen for the first time. The aforementioned Channeler now says "Give me your all" instead. I have a feeling that Nintendo might have heard the same thing I did.
     

    Yingxue

    Since October 2003
    310
    Posts
    16
    Years
    • Jamie006 said:
    Saudi Arabia thought it was Zionist because a six-pointed star is used as the symbol for the colorless energy type in the TCG, and the Star of David is a six-pointed star. Sounds crazy, but that's Saudi Arabia for you.

    Also, there was the usual outcry from a few groups of Christian Fundamentalists that Pokemon was "of the devil" or whatever because of the use of psychic powers and a number of other things.

    Regarding the last thing I mentioned, I recall one person getting mad about the Channelers in Pokemon Tower back in R/B/Y, and specifically mentioning that one of them said "Give me your soul." Well, fast forward a couple years to when I was playing LeafGreen for the first time. The aforementioned Channeler now says "Give me your all" instead. I have a feeling that Nintendo might have heard the same thing I did.
    Click to expand...


    They also changed the gamblers to "gamers" in FireRed and LeafGreen.
     
    LethalTexture

    LethalTexture

    Breeder and Battler
    2,312
    Posts
    17
    Years
    • Ro-ohs said:
    Another one would be the Saudi Arabians banning Pokemon because they think it's Zionist (Does that mean Jewish, by any chance?) and it promoted gambling.
    Click to expand...

    Somewhat suprisingly, the video games DID promote gambling.

    Go back to R/B/Y, and the bald-headed guys near Lavender Town (one of whom you use for the Mew Glitch) are called "Gamblers". Whizz forward to FR/LG, they are now called "Gamers". Blaine was also portrayed as a Gambler as well, I believe.
     

    matdavhans

    10
    Posts
    16
    Years
    • In reguards to there not being that many (any?) black people in pokemon, I don't really find it offensive. You have to remember that this was made in Japan primarily for the Japanese, and Japan is very homologous place. Person's with black skin make up less than .1 pecercent of the population, and most of them live in the largest cities. That 1 in 1000 people. That means if you were a Japanese person living in a rural community you might not even KNOW a black person. So the lack of a racial variation can be excused when you look at where it is originaly airing. Also, I can name plenty of American cartoons that have little or no black people in them- even though there is a massivly higher percentage of blacks in America.
     
    Shiny

    Shiny

    content creator on twitch
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    • If you ask me, Brock looks abit half black coz look a the first season his got a tan & now he doesn't in later seasons
     
    Clark

    Clark

    777
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    • Seen Mar 11, 2023
    Some Christians have problems with Pokemon for various reasons (psychic powers, ghosts, dragons, etc.). But, then again, those are also the same Christians who think that the Tellie-Tubbies are of the devil and Spongebob comes from Satan... No offense to Christianity itself, as only some Christians really care to make a big deal over every single franchise that kids get into.
     

    Gary the Magic Fairy

    Banned
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    • and it promoted gambling.
    Click to expand...
    Well, it kinda DOES, if you think about it. Game Corners are basically Casinos. O_o

    We all know the story about the angry lady who complained that Jynx was a racial stereotype of a Black woman, and it resulted in Jynx becoming coloured purple.
    Click to expand...
    I never even thought of Jynx being black like a person. It just makes sense for her to be. Jynx live in the freezing cold, so I would assume that the black skin is caused by the freezing of their skin, like frostbite. And, since they live in the snow, black skin would be helpful in them finding one another, since it would stand out greatly against the white of the snow. Anyone who actually thinks about it without jumping to the conclusion that the only reason it's black is to make fun of black people. SHE'S the racist, in my opinion. What I don't understand is why the pokemon people let that... person walk all over them. They could make up this story I just posted, even if it wasn't true. xD

    We also might know about the famous trainer card which had the swastika on it (But it did not have the meaning the Nazis used. It meant "good luck")
    Click to expand...
    Oh, I remember that. xD They flipped the Golbat card the other direction like they did with all cards, and it became the Nazi swastika instead of the good one, or something. Hilarious.

    And the offensive "Holiday at Acopaulo" episode, where James gets inflatable breasts to win a bathing suit contest against Misty.
    Click to expand...
    That was funny. xD Offensive to some, but funny.

    Anyway, remember The Legend of Dratini? The one with the guns and how Ash magically obtains 30 Tauros.

    That just makes me realize: The pokemon people suck at covering for things. They couldn't make a half-plausible excuse for Jynx, OR pass the guns off as toys. WTF? everyone would buy it. It's not like anyone got shot. I mean, theres CONSTANT explosions for no reason in nearly every single episode, but they couldn't add in a few words to make the episode ok? Idiots.

    Then the Porygon episode. The biggest over-reaction in history. Fixing it would be easy: Edit 5 seconds of video, then show on TV. Pfft. Apparently banning it from ever airing anywhere is the sensible solution.

    ...Okay, I'm done.

    Oh wait: There's a church-like building in DP. Someone call someone and get it destroyed!!!11! It's just a matter of time before that starts. xD
     
    Jessie

    Jessie

    Don't forget to be awesome.
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    • iLike2EatPiez said:
    Some Christians have problems with Pokemon for various reasons (psychic powers, ghosts, dragons, etc.). But, then again, those are also the same Christians who think that the Tellie-Tubbies are of the devil and Spongebob comes from Satan... No offense to Christianity itself, as only some Christians really care to make a big deal over every single franchise that kids get into.
    Click to expand...
    Gosh, I know. I know a ton of Christians that HATE Pokemon. Funny thing is, is I'm one myself. I don't see why people get all hyped up about it. I mean geez, just don't watch it. xD
     
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