Why Do Japanese Games Love Brazil?

Moon Channel・2 minutes read

Japanese games often incorporate Brazilian culture due to the countries' shared history, with the inclusion of Brazilian music in video game soundtracks. As Japan faced famines and unemployment, Pedro II of Brazil played a critical role in abolishing slavery, leading to the integration and acceptance of Japanese Brazilians in Brazil.

Insights

  • Japanese games often feature Brazilian culture due to a shared history, with Brazilian music like Samba and Bossa Nova appearing in video game soundtracks, showcasing the deep cultural connection between Japan and Brazil.
  • Japanese society, known for its insular culture, has gradually evolved to integrate and accept Japanese Brazilians, who were once harshly persecuted but are now viewed as a successful and educated model minority in Brazil, reflecting a significant shift in societal attitudes driven by Japan's economic success.

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Recent questions

  • Why do Japanese games feature Brazilian culture?

    Japanese games feature Brazilian culture due to shared history.

  • What is Honkai Star Rail?

    Honkai Star Rail is a multi-platform Galactic fantasy RPG.

  • What led to the abolition of slavery in Brazil?

    Pedro II of Brazil's leadership led to the abolition of slavery.

  • How did Japanese immigrants fare in Brazil?

    Japanese immigrants in Brazil faced harsh conditions but slowly prospered.

  • How did Japanese Brazilians transition in Brazilian society?

    Japanese Brazilians transitioned from being undesirable to a model minority.

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Summary

00:00

Japanese Games Embrace Brazilian Culture

  • Japanese games often feature Brazilian characters, settings, or music, which may seem unusual given the geographical distance between Japan and Brazil.
  • Brazil holds a significant place in Japanese games due to shared history and culture, leading to the inclusion of Brazilian music like Samba and Bossa Nova in video game soundtracks.
  • Japanese society and media typically focus on Japan and have limited interest in other regions, including Europe, Africa, and South America.
  • Honkai Star Rail, a multi-platform Galactic fantasy RPG, is highlighted as a game worth playing, offering an exciting story, strategic RPG combat, and lovable characters.
  • Japanese society is known for its insular culture, with unique rules and a distinct popular culture that differs from the West.
  • Despite Japan's reputation for high-tech advancements, fax machines are still prevalent in Japanese offices, and physical CD-ROMs are preferred over digital music.
  • Japan's cultural insularity is influenced by economics, geography, history, and more, leading to certain perceptions of the world that may not align with reality.
  • Cultural misperceptions and misunderstandings are common worldwide, with Japan having its own strong and bizarre misperceptions of other cultures.
  • Japanese video games often feature Brazilian culture, with Brazil being the most represented South American country in Japanese games, alongside occasional references to Peru.
  • Brazil's special significance to Japan stems from a shared history, dating back to the 1850s when Japan sought to catch up technologically and economically, while Brazil experienced growth during the coffee cycle.

15:57

Pedro II's Abolition Legacy and Japanese Immigration

  • Pedro II of Brazil abhorred slavery and aimed to abolish it, threatening to abdicate the throne in 1850 if the Atlantic slave trade wasn't declared illegal.
  • He pushed for the end of slavery by birth, proposing a bill to consider all children born to slaves as freeborn.
  • Despite criticism and fears of economic repercussions, Pedro II's leadership prevailed, leading to the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888.
  • Brazil's economy flourished post-abolition, with women gaining rights and the country experiencing unprecedented growth.
  • The wealthy landowners, unhappy with losing free labor, organized a coup in 1889, establishing the Republic of Brazil.
  • Japan, emerging from isolation, faced famines and unemployment, seeking to catch up technologically and economically.
  • Japan encouraged immigration to learn from others, leading to Japanese migration to Brazil in 1907.
  • Japanese immigrants in Brazil faced harsh conditions, working for low wages and being exploited by landowners.
  • Despite challenges, Japanese immigrants slowly prospered, forming ethnic enclaves and becoming productive in agriculture.
  • Brazilian society viewed Japanese immigrants with contempt, leading to discriminatory policies and forced assimilation efforts by the government.

32:27

Japanese Brazilians: From Persecution to Prosperity

  • Human rights abuses by the military government in Brazil included persecution, torture of dissidents, violence against journalists, press censorship, and suppression of ideological adversaries.
  • The Brazilian economic Miracle came to an abrupt end due to external causes, such as the 1973 oil crisis.
  • Japan rapidly rebuilt after World War II with help from the United States and clever economic leadership, experiencing its own post-war economic Miracle.
  • The 1973 oil crisis led to a global increase in oil prices, severely impacting industrial output and energy supply.
  • The rising economic power of Japan changed the perception of Japanese Brazilians in Brazil, leading to their integration and acceptance.
  • Japanese Brazilians were once harshly persecuted and seen as non-assimilable, but with Japan's economic success, they were welcomed and integrated into Brazilian society.
  • By 1977, Japanese Brazilians in urban centers surpassed those in rural areas, with a significant presence in universities and high education rates.
  • Japanese Brazilians were viewed as studious, disciplined, and successful in school, with a strong affinity for exact science careers.
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, originating from Japanese Brazilians, spread globally and became a source of pride for Brazilians.
  • Japanese Brazilians in Brazil became the wealthiest and most educated group, transitioning from being undesirable to a model minority in about 20 years.

48:36

Evolution of Brazilian Characters in Japanese Games

  • Japanese Society viewed the dekaseki subtly and subconsciously, as seen in video games like Blanca's stage in the Amazon River Basin.
  • Characters in games like Fatal Fury and Breakers portrayed Brazilian characters in different archetypes, such as the Blanca and Meyer archetypes.
  • The Blanca archetype split into different directions with characters like Rikuo and Gall Rio, representing different portrayals of Brazilian characters.
  • The Meyer archetype became a common portrayal of Brazilian characters in Japanese games, characterized by traits like being hot-blooded, loving to dance, and fighting with capoeira.
  • Examples like Bob Wilson from Fatal Fury 3 and Eddie Gordo from Tekken 3 showcase the development of the Meyer archetype in Brazilian character portrayals.
  • Characters like Christy Montero and Pupa Salgueru further develop the Meyer archetype with nuanced and less sexualized portrayals of Brazilian characters.
  • Jetstream Sam from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance breaks stereotypes of Brazilian characters in Japanese games, designed with a mix of Japanese and Brazilian characteristics.
  • Modern Japanese games feature more culturally sensitive portrayals of Brazilian characters, like Zarina in King of Fighters 14, reflecting a better understanding of Japanese Brazilian culture.
  • The newest Brazilian character in a Japanese AAA release, Big Man from Splatoon 3, embodies a mix of the Meyer and Blanca archetypes, showcasing a more respectful portrayal of Brazilian characters in Japanese games.
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