Search Results

Rules

• Spell the names right:It's a bit irritating to me when names are spelled wrong. I can understand a typo, but try to spell them right.
  
  DO RESEARCH:I'm serious about this one. If you're too freaking lazy to do research, go with what you know. If you post a clue about something, you are expected to know what it is. Saying a Pokémon is from Gen IV merely because a Gym Leader or Champion had it in that Generation is ridiculous. STUDY UP

I'm a large boar that can use Fire attacks and Fighting attacks. Who am I?

So, lately I've been finding a ton of controversies dealing with Pokemon, and I wanted to know what you guys think. There are many of these out there, but here are the most prominent ones in my eyes:

Satanism

Spoiler

Some fundamentalist Christian groups have accused Pokémon as being linked to 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 Gym Badges) are needed to control them.
Pokémon evolve. Though this transformation is more akin to metamorphosis in most Pokémon, the theory of evolution is denied entirely by the most fundamentalist creationists, who believe that all things as they are presently were divinely inspired.
Some Pokémon evolution even requires the use of certain magical stones.
Many Pokémon have extraordinary paranormal powers, notably Psychic-types. Those with Psychic powers are labeled as having been given these powers by Satan in the 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 play backwards the Pokérap, "Gotta Catch 'em All!" can be heard as "I love you, Satan".
Some Pagan religions claim many Pokémon have similarities to many pagan spirits.

Racism

Jynx

Spoiler

Carole Boston Weatherford, a cultural critic, claimed that Jynx, which had recently appeared in Holiday Hi-Jynx, was a negative racial stereotype of African-Americans. She chiefly compared Jynx to the racist characters inThe Story of Little Black Sambo, and further compared Jynx to Mr. Popo of the Dragon Ball franchise, a character who is also potentially offensive in his design.
Weatherford's complaint caused many repercussions in Pokémon. The sprites of Jynx in the international release of Pokémon Gold, Silver, andCrystal were changed, and EP250 was cut from international airings of the anime. A Jynx that appeared in All Things Bright and Beautifly! was also cut from the dub.
Jynx's design was officially changed by Nintendo to being purple, rather than black, and this change was reflected in later games (beginning with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire) and the anime (starting in Mean With Envy). Jynx has also been recolored in VIZ Media's reissues of Pokémon Adventures. Although the manga appears in black-and-white, Jynx appearing in the manga are recolored as a dark gray rather than straight black, implying that they are purple and not black. It is also recolored to purple on the back cover of the reissue of Volume 4.
In recent years, some fans of Pokémon have noted that Jynx may be inspired by 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.
Other people, however, think Jynx is based on a Nordic princess. This is because there are 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 viking could reason why they are Ice type.

Jynx in the international release of Pokemon Crystal Version

Jynx in the Japanese release

Lenora

Spoiler

Nacrene City Gym Leader Lenora also brought up concerns of racism. While no complaints were filed, actions were taken to alter her clothing. Lenora's original artwork, as well as her in game sprites, depict her wearing a large apron. Concerns arose that people outside of Japan would allude Lenora to the Mammy archetype. Similar to Lenora, the mammy is a dark skin-toned woman who wears a handkerchief on her head and an apron. Because of the similarity, Lenora's artwork was change from her wearing the apron to her having it slung over her shoulder like a cape. Despite this, Lenora's in-game sprites were not altered in the international release of Black and White nor was any attempt made to re-alter the sprites for Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
In the original version of A Night in the Nacrene City Museum!, Lenora was depicted wearing her apron. In the English dub aired, her apron was removed completely.

Perceived Nazi imagery

Spoiler

In European releases of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the sprite art for Registeel is altered slightly. While in Japanese and English releases Registeel's arm is extended, non-English European versions use an altered sprite presumably due to the original pose's resemblance to the Hitler salute. In all versions of Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum, the sprite is of this new design.


International DP Registeel

European DP/Worldwide PtHGSS Registeel

Animal cruelty

Spoiler

In the past, several animal rights groups have tried to ban Pokémon, claiming that Pokémon battles closely resemble cockfights. This aspect of the controversy was actually touched upon in Pokémon Black and White*.
Upon the release of Pokémon Black and White Versions 2, PETA released a mock game named "Pokémon Black and Blue". In it the player controls the Pokémon to attack the opposing human. PETA claims that the way the Pokémon are "stuffed" into the Poké Ball is similar to how circus elephants are chained inside railroad carts.

Take for example, some quotes by a character from my playthrough of Pokemon White Version:

"They may say it is for understanding one another better, but what Trainers really use battles for is to compete... And they hurt each others' Pokémon! Am I the only one who finds this terribly painful? Whatever... I'm going to talk to your Pokémon. I've been living with Pokémon since I was born, so it's easier for me to talk with them than with people. ...Because Pokémon never tell lies.""Hey, Boldore. Would you tell me what kind of Trainer White is?"
"...Still, this Boldore trusts you for some reason. That's good! If every person and Pokémon cared about one another like you two do, I could watch over the future of people and Pokémon without having to liberate Pokémon from people who just use them."

He clearly states that Pokemon are being mistreated and simply being used.

*The aspect was in the form of Team Plasma, the game's main antagonists who aim to liberate Pokemon because in their eyes, Pokemon Trainers are abusing them by making them battle.

The rest: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pokémon_controversy

Also, here is the famous seizure causing scene from one of the episodes.

DISCLAIMER:​

DO NOT WATCH THE FOLLOWING CLIP IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF EPILEPSY OR SEIZURES. I HAVE WATCHED THIS BEFORE AND I CAN TELL WHY IT CAUSED SEIZURES. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO SIT A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE SCREEN AND WATCH IN A WELL-LIT AREA.​

DO NOT WATCH IN FULL SCREEN.​

Spoiler

So, what do you all think? I can see where concerns might pop up for some of these, but a few seem like just plain nitpicks because Pokemon seemed successful. I'd like to know all of you guys' opinions.