Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and former Shonen Jump editor Kazuhiko Torishima recently addressed the backlash they faced over comments made on a talk show during Tokyo Game Show 2024. The controversy stemmed from comments made about the changes in the character designs for the upcoming Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, specifically focusing on the addition of more modest clothing to Akira Toriyama’s original designs.
According to a statement released, the pair clarified that their comments were mistranslated and sensationalized by overseas media outlets. They called out the translation of “Puritan” as “sex education,” highlighting the inaccuracies in the reporting. The duo criticized social media users and outlets for taking their comments out of context and creating controversy based on snippets of a longer show where they were guests.
In response to the backlash, Horii and Torishima expressed their disappointment with the spread of misinformation and urged fans to refrain from spreading articles based on mistranslations and edited videos. They emphasized the importance of understanding the full context of their statements before drawing conclusions and asked for cooperation from game fans and viewers worldwide.
The controversy surrounding the character design changes in the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has been a point of contention among fans. While the alterations are minor, some fans view them as censorship and interference with Toriyama’s original work. The changes have sparked debates online, with some supporting the updates for modern sensibilities and others criticizing them for deviating from the original vision.
The statement from Horii and Torishima aims to clear up any misunderstandings and set the record straight regarding their comments on the character design changes. They hope to move past the controversy and focus on delivering an engaging gaming experience to fans of the Dragon Quest series.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, the discussion around the character design changes continues to evolve. With the creators addressing the controversy directly, it remains to be seen how the fanbase will react and whether the changes will impact the reception of the upcoming remake.
