In early January 2019, Creatures Inc.—renowned as a principal stakeholder in The Pokémon Company and a leading force behind the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG)—became the center of controversy following a social media misstep involving the Yasukuni Shrine.
Responsible for shaping Pokémon’s card-based universe and contributing significantly to the franchise’s enduring popularity, Creatures Inc.
plays a vital role in maintaining Pokémon's reputation both in Japan and worldwide, including on major platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the eShop. The issue began when the company’s official Twitter account shared photographs on January 7, 2019, showing two Creatures Inc.
employees smiling during a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site that has long sparked international criticism due to its enshrinement of 14 war criminals among other Japanese war dead from World War II.
Owing to the shrine’s controversial significance, especially in the context of Japan’s relations with China and South Korea, the images drew swift and severe backlash from both domestic and overseas audiences. In response to the mounting criticism, Creatures Inc.
promptly deleted the tweet.
However, multiple screenshots had already been circulated across social media, fueling anger and calls for action.
Online discussions, particularly on platforms like China’s Weibo, were marked by statements condemning the company and demanding a boycott of Pokémon products.
The controversy reportedly struck a nerve among Korean and Chinese fans, many of whom expressed disappointment and strong criticism of the brand. Despite the uproar, Creatures Inc.
did not issue a formal public apology regarding the incident.
Furthermore, the company has not publicly commented on any internal action taken with regard to the employees involved.
This silence has intensified the response among affected communities, with several high-profile social media users vowing to raise awareness and discourage support for Pokémon brand activities, including popular products on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company addressing the incident.
Pokémon remains one of the most successful franchises in gaming history, with titles such as 'Pokémon Sword and Shield' for Nintendo Switch achieving impressive global sales and the trading card game continuing to attract an international collector and player base.
However, this controversy serves as a reminder that the actions of developers and associated companies can significantly affect brand perception and consumer sentiment across diverse markets. For continued updates on this and other Nintendo and Pokémon-related news, keep following trusted industry sources.
Responsible for shaping Pokémon’s card-based universe and contributing significantly to the franchise’s enduring popularity, Creatures Inc.
plays a vital role in maintaining Pokémon's reputation both in Japan and worldwide, including on major platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the eShop. The issue began when the company’s official Twitter account shared photographs on January 7, 2019, showing two Creatures Inc.
employees smiling during a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site that has long sparked international criticism due to its enshrinement of 14 war criminals among other Japanese war dead from World War II.
Owing to the shrine’s controversial significance, especially in the context of Japan’s relations with China and South Korea, the images drew swift and severe backlash from both domestic and overseas audiences. In response to the mounting criticism, Creatures Inc.
promptly deleted the tweet.
However, multiple screenshots had already been circulated across social media, fueling anger and calls for action.
Online discussions, particularly on platforms like China’s Weibo, were marked by statements condemning the company and demanding a boycott of Pokémon products.
The controversy reportedly struck a nerve among Korean and Chinese fans, many of whom expressed disappointment and strong criticism of the brand. Despite the uproar, Creatures Inc.
did not issue a formal public apology regarding the incident.
Furthermore, the company has not publicly commented on any internal action taken with regard to the employees involved.
This silence has intensified the response among affected communities, with several high-profile social media users vowing to raise awareness and discourage support for Pokémon brand activities, including popular products on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company addressing the incident.
Pokémon remains one of the most successful franchises in gaming history, with titles such as 'Pokémon Sword and Shield' for Nintendo Switch achieving impressive global sales and the trading card game continuing to attract an international collector and player base.
However, this controversy serves as a reminder that the actions of developers and associated companies can significantly affect brand perception and consumer sentiment across diverse markets. For continued updates on this and other Nintendo and Pokémon-related news, keep following trusted industry sources.
