Disney XD banned a Pokemon episode that contains a "blackface"

[River 123,760]

Disney XD, the kids cable network and home to the Pokémon cartoons, won’t be airing an upcoming episode of the Sun and Moon anime, according to its programming schedule for July 16. Instead, the channel will skip ahead to the following one in the season — leaving a Pokémon episode unaired stateside for the first time since 2002.

The Pokémon Company seemingly choosing to hold back an episode from the West is a surprising, but not unprecedented, move. Yet with this particular episode, which ran in Japan on March 1, the decision not to show it to American audiences makes sense. Episode 64 of Sun and Moon is called “Touchdown of Friendship!!” in Japanese, and involves Ash Ketchum developing serious sympathy for a tribe of the lemur-like Pokémon Passimian. His desire to protect and support the Pokémon runs so deep that he begins acting like them; he even walks on all fours, just like Passimian do.

The storyline of this episode sounds weird, but that’s nothing new for Pokémon. What’s most troubling is where Ash’s Passimian passion leads him: He ends up wearing a costume that resembles the Pokémon, which includes painting his entire face black.

That kind of gag definitely doesn’t fly in America, no matter how it fits into the context of the episode. It’s also an issue Pokémon has faced and handled before; the last episode outright excluded from the dubbed version of the anime dealt with a character in seeming blackface as well. The series’ 250th episode starred the Pokémon Jynx, whose original design saw her with an entirely black-colored face and appearance reminiscent of offensive African-American caricatures. She’s since been updated to have a purple face instead, but the original episode remains unchanged. As such, it’s not only one of the few episodes to never leave Asia, but also part of a small group of Pokémon cartoons that have been banned from re-airing.

Some fans have been quick to assume that Sun and Moon’s Passimian episode has suffered the same fate, and will never be seen outside of Japan. Neither Disney XD nor The Pokémon Company have said that’s the case — it’s possible that the episode has just been shifted to a much, much later date — but we’ve reached out to both for clarification. We’ll update when we learn more.

https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/10/17555278/pokemon-passimian-episode-missing-disney-xd

 

[Eros92 2,549]

There’s literally zero reason this has to be banned. He’s not doing “blackface” let’s not make a problem where there isn’t. No one would even think that’s what he’s doing. God I hate people 

[ryhanna 3,507]

Obviously blackface is awful, but come on. He's dressed as a Pokemon. This seems like a bit of a stretch. 

[rumours 45,521]

The more important issue is that Pokémon advocates evolution which is against hunty Jesus’ Holy Book.

[Haroon 49,685]

This is Pokemonface, not blackface

[ltlmnstr 2,771]

Japan still dons blackface every now and then on their entertainment shows. Leftover remnants of when the US occupied there in the 50's. Jynx was clearly based off of racist golliwog dolls.

I don't think this episode, at least this screenshot. is blackface though. I'm not Disney and maybe Disney has strict screening due to not wanting any controversy tied to the company. 

But at the same time...who has cable? Like we get everything streaming illegally. Like when the UK censored Steven Universe for a slightly gay scene, illegal sites are the way to go. 

[ryanripley 86,575]

but black people don't look like that

[LePetitGAGABLover 21,234]

The reach. 

[Noctelus 2,928]

there's literally an animal next to him that the face is supposed to look like.

[JazzGa 14,623]

Eh, even though I agree it isn't supposed to be blackface/mocking African people at all, I see why Disney wanted to keep this potential bag o' stank far far away from American audiences... not only do people screech about any time a fair skinned person/character ever puts black pigment on most of their face (like the people who think the charcoal peeling face masks are racist  ) but also, "coon" is a racial slur... so the raccoon association is definitely gonna bait some uptight mom/woque grad student into starting a change.org petition/writing a viral slam piece

[Guest Adarsh]

33 minutes ago, Satans Ex Wife said:

 (like the people who think the charcoal peeling face masks are racist  ) 

Omg i love charcoal masks. Who are these people? 

[FRANK1991 3,329]

[Seeka 12,372]

1 hour ago, ltlmnstr said:

Japan still dons blackface every now and then on their entertainment shows. Leftover remnants of when the US occupied there in the 50's. Jynx was clearly based off of racist golliwog dolls.

I don't think this episode, at least this screenshot. is blackface though. I'm not Disney and maybe Disney has strict screening due to not wanting any controversy tied to the company. 

But at the same time...who has cable? Like we get everything streaming illegally. Like when the UK censored Steven Universe for a slightly gay scene, illegal sites are the way to go. 

Actually Jynx's inspiration and base is still up in the air. I consider her to be inspired by Ganguro girls, like Gothita is inspired by elegant gothic Lolita.

[Serial Chiller 8,044]

jynx typing is ice/psychic like u gotta be trying really hard if u still believe she was based on an african caricature. 

[ltlmnstr 2,771]

2 hours ago, Adarsh Soni said:

Omg i love charcoal masks. Who are these people? 

There were videos on Vine of white girls in charcoal masks acting "oh look I'm black."