In a heartwarming show of international diplomacy crossing over with gaming, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Kiyoshi Odawara presented the Chilean president-elect Gabriel Boric with a stuffed toy of the Pokémon Squirtle. As Japan is the home of Nintendo, the creator of the worldwide hit video game, trading card, and anime series Pokémon, this gift was seen as one of Japanese culture to a proud ally.
Pokémon may have originated in Japan, but there is no question that in the decades since the release of the original Pokémon Red & Blue, the franchise has become a true international phenomenon. When Nintendo and Game Freak revealed the next installment in the Pokémon series last week, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, many players began to theorize that the new region might be based on the European country of Spain. The architecture and styling of buildings was one big clue, but eagle-eyed viewers also spied several prominent Spanish landmarks (or at least their counterparts in the world of Pokémon) such as Barcelona's La Sagrada Famìlia and Placa de Cataluña. But the international effect of Pokémon isn't just limited to influences on the games themselves.
Twitter user duplakappa posted a picture of the Japanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the newly-elected president of Chile together showing off a Squirtle plushie that had been gifted to the Chilean president (via Reutir). The two met as part of a customary ceremony where the incoming president of Chile receives foreign representatives. This adorable exchange caught the attention of Pokémon fans across the world, with some voters in Chile even expressing disbelief at Boric's choice of starter.
While it might seem an odd choice of a gift to be exchanged between the leaders of nations it is often customary for leaders to give gifts that are unique or important to their home nations. As Nintendo is the home of Pokémon, it would make a lot of sense for this to be a gift if the president-elect of Chile is a gamer or a fan of the Pokémon series. It certainly seems that Boric is a fan of the gift, even if his smile is hidden below a mask.
Certainly, this exchange will be enjoyed by those Pokémon fans in Chile who are already excited for the Spanish influence on the future Pokémon Scarlet & Violet games. The names of the starters from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have some loose translations in Spanish, which means that fans like potentially Boric will understand some small jokes or Easter eggs in the game. At the very least, Boric can give his new Squirtle a name that might be right out of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
Source: duplakappa/Twitter (via Reutir)