The Pokémon franchise isn’t exactly known for scandals – but these 9 moments were so controversial that they were coldly censored in various regions around the world.
Pokémon censorship: 7 deleted scenes in games and series
Most fans of the successful brand should know that Pokémon originally comes from Japan. But did you know that both the games and the anime for the West more than once had to be adjusted?
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In the following series of pictures you will find out what raunchy and harmless content was withheld from you.
Some characters had to dress warmer for the western release of the games than in the original. An example is the Beauty trainer class in Pokémon Gold and Silver. Her skirt became a little longer shown.
The same was also decided for the float of the Heartgold and Soulsilver editions.
One of the most famous banned episodes of the anime is “Electric Soldier Porygon”. After its first broadcast, hundreds of Japanese children had to watch it to the hospital, because they suffered epileptic seizures.
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The reason for this was the rapidly flickering lights that flashed red and blue. The episode was subsequently banned and never aired again.
Rossana is a first-generation Pokémon that was originally supposed to have pitch-black skin. Combined with the big pink lips and his human appearance, this would have been reminiscent of blackfacing in the USA.
Become “blackface.” racist caricatures black people. Due to her American background, Rossana’s skin was recolored purple.
In the first season episode “Beauty and the Beach,” James dresses up as a woman, complete with inflatable breasts.
While the episode in Asian countries broadcast normally it was never broadcast in other countries such as the USA and Germany.
In countless episodes of the series, the protagonists and their Pokémon eat snacks that primarily come from Japanese culture. For example, in the original there are always Onigirii.e. filled rice balls.
For Western audiences, these were often swapped for sandwiches or simply referred to as “doughnuts.”
In the Japanese original of Pokémon Stadium for the N64, Nidoqueen naturally grabs her breasts when called to battle.
This gesture was made for the western release removed and exchanged for a child-free one. In this country, the Pokémon just roars and shakes itself.
A rather unusual sight for a children’s series in which the most devastating weapons are usually Pokémon: In the episode “The Legend of Dratini” of the anime, an older gentleman judges a real pistol on Ash.
That was too much for the USA – the episode was not broadcast there.
There is also a crucial difference between the different countries in the intro of the series. Over the years, many fans have wondered what the young girl in the intro to the series is all about.
What most people didn’t know: There is a reference to her in the Japanese song lyrics. It is said that Ash looks for Pokémon everywhere – even under women’s skirts. Charming, Ash. Really charming.
Pokémon seem to be pretty perverted. At least that’s how it looks with Sleima. The slimy Pokémon looks up a lady’s skirt on the Japanese Pokémon card. This was not okay for western countries. Here the Pokémon simply looks forward.
Pokémon: the little monsters are known all over the world. But especially in the games and the series, some things have been adjusted over time, for example because the original would have been too brutal or inappropriate in the West, or it even led to injuries in Japan.
Also the anime veteran Yu-Gi-Oh has always struggled with censorship in the West – sometimes even more so than Pokémon. You can find out everything about the most absurd censorship moments here: