When you think about video game characters, design choices can be quite striking. Recently resurfaced information revealed that when Pokémon was first being introduced to the United States, there was a bizarre suggestion from Nintendo of America to give Pikachu a significant redesign, which included giving the character large breasts.

According to Tsunekazu Ishihara, the CEO of The Pokémon Company, during discussions, the staff at Nintendo of America proposed their own designs, suggesting a transformed Pikachu that resembled a sizable tabby cat with feminine features. Ishihara candidly stated, ‘I won’t show those illustrations to anyone as long as I live,’ hinting at the unusual nature of the suggestions.

This anecdote, while humorous, raises questions about cultural differences in character design and marketing strategies. Ishihara noted that they aimed to appeal to the market without resorting to such designs. Fortunately, this idea never materialized, allowing Pikachu to maintain its original charm and appeal.

In conclusion, while it’s intriguing to think about what could have been, this story serves as a reminder of how different cultures interpret design and marketing in video games.