Report reviews Nintendo's claims in the United States once suggested that Pikachu looks like “a cat with huge breasts”

In an interview, the fresh light had already shined, claiming that Nintendo once suggested that Pokémon's mascot Pikachu should have breasts.

The interview with Pokémon senior CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara dates back 25 years and is in Japanese – which sparked debate about what Ishihara originally said to be the exact translation.

But now it's a Japanese website Game*Spark (pass Automatic) Checked the original interview in detail to explain as firmly as possible – yes, it really sounds like.

First, let's examine what Ishihara said before discussing the specific issues of the word “breast”. In terms of context, Ishihara is discussing his early conversations with Nintendo employees in the United States to understand the localization of the Pokémon franchise – before it was launched in the West and became a global phenomenon today.

“When I first showed them Pokémon, they told me it was so cute,” Ishihara recalls. “Then, Nintendo American staff came up with their own designs for the characters – I wouldn't show anyone these illustrations as long as I live, but they look like characters in a cat musical.

“So, for example, Pikachu became shaped like a tabby cat with huge breasts.”

As Automaton points out, here are some debates about the exact Japanese word used to describe “breasts”, which may also mean obvious male PEC. However, there are other backgrounds to talk about next.

When the CEO answered with affirmative answer, when asked if he meant breasts “like those girls who did Pikachu role-playing at anime convention”.

“Yes, yes,” Ishihara said, and they introduced us to the design. I think it's interesting, in a sense, it's a cultural difference. However, I don't want to use this kind of thing to compete in the (overseas) market. ”

The final wrinkle of the incident is a subsequent anecdote from the late Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, who recalled early localized conversations in 2008, featuring large muscles and large muscles to make Mascott “more and stronger.”

But, as Game*Spark points out, this can simply refer to other concepts discussed in the same conference, like a series of changes suggested by Nintendo. And, if anything, there is more evidence that Nintendo once had some eye-opening ideas to change some Pokémon designs for teams outside of Japan to launch.

Judging by the popularity of Pokémon today and the failure of Cat's movie adaptation, this is probably the best.

Image source: General.

Tom Phillips is the news editor for IGN. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on the Blues @tomphillipseg.bsky.social