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Owen Fung

Localists have taken their defence of Hong Kong identity and values to a new front, and into a battle with a global tech giant over the name of one of Asia’s biggest popular culture icons.
The source of their anger is Pikachu – the yellow mascot of the Pokemon gaming franchise – and the translation of its Chinese name.
Japanese video game maker Nintendo touched a nerve with localists earlier this year by announcing it would use the Putonghua pinyin version for over a hundred Pokemon in the Hong Kong version of an upcoming game.
Those names are rendered into different Chinese characters in Hong Kong and the mainland, to get the closest approximation to the Japanese original when the characters are read by Cantonese and Putonghua speakers.
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So the plan is for Beikaaciu, the Cantonese name of Pikachu, to be replaced by the pinyin version, Pikaqiu.
Over a dozen protesters and Pokemon fans marched against the decision on Monday, calling on Nintendo to reinstate the Cantonese name.
“We don’t want Pikaqiu! Bring back Beikaaciu! Respect Cantonese! Follow local traditions!” the protesters chanted as they marched from Chater Garden to the Japanese consulate in Central.
Sing Leung, chief editor of Lonely Media and a co-organiser of the rally, said: “We have been using Beikaaciu for over 20 years... this is a part of our way of life and the Cantonese translation also underlines the distinctiveness of our language.”

Leung noted that over 6,000 people signed an online petition in March urging the company to reverse its decision. But their request was ignored.
“This is not only a commercial decision, but relates to cultural exchanges [between Hong Kong and Japan]. We want to let the Japanese consulate know that a company from their country is disrespecting Hongkongers,” Leung said, warning that they may call for a public boycott of Nintendo products if the company does not listen to their demand.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns that the unique identity and language of Hong Kong is gradually being eroded.
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In February, an Education Bureau proposal which emphasised learning Putonghua and simplified Chinese characters, used on the mainland, in local schools triggered a wave of criticism.
The same month, TVB, the city’s largest television station, angered many when it started using simplified characters during its Putonghua newscast. The Communications Authority got around 10,000 complaints against the broadcaster.
“It would be very hard for us to identify with the products if they change a name that’s been used for such a long time,” a protester surnamed Lam said, while pointing out that Gundam, another Japanese anime franchise, had maintained Cantonese names.
“If [Nintendo] doesn’t take any action after this protest, then I will stop buying Pokemon products,” he said.
Kenny Chu, another protester, said: “Beikaaciu is part of Hongkongers’ collective memory. Nintendo is disregarding our distinctiveness. We need to protect this part of our culture.”


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Pikachu is one of Asia’s most distinctive popular culture icons. Photo: Sam Tsang

Civil Passion stage a rally on the official name of Pikachu in Pokemon in Central. 30MAY16 SCMP/ Sam Tsang

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