Games
Pokémon Gender Suggestion Gets Heartwarming Nintendo Response
Pokémon Gender Updates: Nintendo appears to have responded positively to a child’s letter requesting non-binary Pokémon. Nintendo has a long history of replying back to foreign fan replies dating back to the 1980s. If the proposal makes it into the offices and hearts of Pokémon developers, it might theoretically impact future expansions to the franchise.
The phrase “non-binary” refers to persons who do not identify as male or female in the traditional sense. People who identify as having a third gender, several genders, or being genderfluid fall under this category.
Others dispute the concept of gender as a social construct distinct from sex. Bloodhound in Apex Legends, FL4K in Borderlands 3, and Chaos in Hades are just a few examples of non-binary characters in games.
Nintendo’s response, received by a support employee and published on Twitter by the affected parent PleaseBeGneiss, says, “In your letter, you begged us to develop nonbinary Pokémon.” The spokesperson described it as an “amazing concept,” saying that there are so many different Pokémon kinds that it would “make sense” to have a range of genders as well. She went on to say that Nintendo wants to “ensure that individuals of all sorts feel welcome and at ease,” pledging to submit input “to the relevant departments for evaluation and serious consideration.”
What are the Pokémon Gender Suggestions?
The VergeA snapshot of PleaseBeGneiss’ child’s letter, which suggested they were very young based on the poor printing technique, backed confirmed the message’s legitimacy. Nintendo’s response was packaged with two unidentified promotional goodies.
Others Twitter users were enthusiastic, praising the notion of greater diversity, while others were dubious, with some wondering if a non-binary Pokémon is essential. While some have stereotypically male or feminine characteristics, others, like Mewtwo, are frequently represented as genderless.
Genderless isn’t the same as non-binary, therefore Nintendo and its partners might introduce Pokémon and/or human trainers with gender characteristics that aren’t seen before in the franchise.
Nintendo is known for being inclusive of all audiences, which has helped them to dodge some cultural conflicts. However, the subject of sex and gender has not always been so easily avoided. Gamers have argued about the gender of characters like Kirby and Jigglypuff from Pokémon on occasion.
As attitudes evolve, Nintendo may be compelled to address such concerns more frequently, particularly in its critical US and Japanese markets. It would be a positive consequence if the child’s letter – or at least the spirit of their remarks – made its way around Nintendo’s Kyoto offices and sparked a discussion about more diverse, mindful representation in video games.
