Kotaku LIES (Again) To Push Transgender Gaming Agenda

Kotaku's Misrepresentation of Vivian in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Kotaku is Japanese for insufferable.

Kotaku sure has a way of misrepresenting info by using words that can be taken multiple ways, don't they? Something they've never learned, is that accuracy and integrity are crucial in reporting, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like gender identity.

But nope... Oh, Kotaku. You've once again found yourself in hot water for misrepresenting the full story - this time, SHOCKINGLY, not written by Alyssa Mercante. A new challenger enters the ring. Kenneth Shepard. The latest controversy surrounds his article claiming that the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake restores a party member's trans identity. According to Shepard, Vivian’s transgender identity was removed in the English localization of the original GameCube release and is now being restored.

...But how accurate is this claim?

A new challenger at Kotaku enters the proverbial ring.

The Original Character: Vivian

Vivian, a beloved character from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (TTYD), is a member of the Shadow Sirens. In the Japanese version of the game, Vivian is depicted as a cross-dresser or "femboy". The character's gender is a point of minor discussion among other characters, but she is never explicitly described as transgender.

In the original Japanese version, Vivian is referred to with language that suggests he is a boy who dresses as a girl:

The reality

This characterization aligns more with the concept of cross-dressing or being a femboy rather than being transgender. The distinction is important: while both cross-dressing and being transgender involve gender identity, they are not the same thing. Cross-dressing typically involves wearing clothes traditionally associated with the opposite gender, while being transgender involves identifying as a gender different from the one assigned at birth.

Localization Changes

When Paper Mario: TTYD was localized for English-speaking audiences, the character of Vivian was modified. The references to him being a boy were removed, and he was presented simply as 'female'. This change was likely made to avoid confusion and potential controversy in Western markets, where discussions about gender identity were less prevalent at the time.

However, Kotaku's claim that Vivian’s transgender identity was removed in the localization process is misleading, to say the least. The original Japanese script NEVER explicitly labels Vivian as transgender. Instead, it depicted him as a cross-dresser, a subtle, but significant difference that Kotaku is running with here.

The Issue of Misrepresentation

Kotaku's assertion that the Paper Mario remake is "restoring" Vivian's transgender identity is problematic for several reasons:

1. Inaccurate Representation: By stating that Vivian was transgender in the original Japanese version, Kotaku misrepresents the character's true nature. This can lead to misinformation and misunderstandings among readers, particularly those who may not be familiar with the nuances of gender identity in Japanese culture versus Western culture.

2. Sensitive Topic: Gender identity is a deeply personal and sensitive topic for some people. Misrepresenting characters in this context can contribute to broader societal misunderstandings about gender identity and can be particularly harmful when discussed in relation to children's media.

3. Impact on Children: The inclusion of complex gender identity themes in children's games is always a heated debate. Some argue that such themes are inappropriate for young audiences who may not fully understand them, while others believe it is important for media to reflect diverse identities. Regardless of where one stands on this issue, it is crucial for journalists to present facts accurately and responsibly... Something "journalists" at Kotaku never seem to do...

Kotaku’s recent article by Kenneth Shepard about Vivian in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is yet another a clear example of Kotaku misrepresentation. While the intentions behind discussing gender identity in games may be rooted in advocacy for inclusivity, it is essential to distinguish between different concepts of gender and to present information truthfully. Vivian was not originally written as a transgender character but as a cross-dresser, a fact that Kotaku failed to accurately convey. Japan has a far more nuanced approach to gender identity and it's not so black and white as it is here in the states:

There is nuance.

In an era where misinformation can spread rapidly, it is the responsibility of gaming journalists to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and integrity. Misleading articles do a disservice to readers and undermine the credibility of the publication.

It is beyond long overdue for Kotaku to reassess their approach to reporting on sensitive topics and to ensure that its writers adhere to the principles of factual and responsible journalism... and once again, I encourage you all to sign the #EndKotaku petition, if you haven't already. You can do that here.

~Smash