Why is Jynx banned? A history of the Pokémon‘s controversial design - 33rd Square (2024)

Jynx, the popular Ice-type Pokémon, has been the subject of ongoing controversy since its introduction in 1996 due to accusations of its original black-skinned design promoting racist stereotypes. This eventually led to complete bans of the character and even episode censorship before Jynx was redesigned with purple skin. But why exactly was one of the original 151 Pokémon banned from the franchise it helped build?

The Origins of a Controversial Design

Jynx‘s initial design in the Pokémon Red and Blue video games features jet black skin, huge pink lips, and an outfit resembling a crimson gown. This appearance immediately evoked racist stereotypes of African Americans for many American audiences, especially imagery like blackface used to mock and demean black people throughout history.

Specifically, Jynx‘s visual design was accused of embodying two well-known racist caricatures – "the jezebel" due to the red dress resembling a seductress, and "the mammy" due to the large lips and almost maternal/servile look. These fictional stereotypes have been used to justify the oppression of black women for centuries, making Jynx‘s resemblance incredibly offensive.

While likely unintentional, the fact remains that Jynx prominently incorporated harmful imagery stemming from America‘s legacy of racism. Even small aspects added to the hurtful symbolism – Jynx‘s name referencing voodoo and mystical African spirituality, the fact that they only female, their affinity for dancing provocatively. Together these attributes invoked painful memories of how media has traditionally misrepresented and dehumanized African Americans.

Blowback Builds Against Problematic Pokémon

When the Pokémon anime debuted internationally in 1997, backlash began growing as Jynx gained increased prominence. The character frequently appeared in early episodes alongside main characters like Ash and Misty with its original coal black skin design intact.

But this portrayal reached a tipping point in 2000 with the Holiday Hi-Jynx Christmas special. Jynx was not only featured heavily, but the episode aired during Black History Month. Author Carole Boston Weatherford penned an article highlighting the insensitive timing and accusing Jynx of being a "racist stereotype from my childhood."

By now, the criticisms against Jynx were impossible for Nintendo and Game Freak to ignore. Despite its popularity with fans, the Pokémon Company took swift action by banning episodes prominently featuring Jynx in markets like the United States. Controversial episodes like Holiday Hi-Jynx were pulled from rotation and never aired again.

Banned from Anime, Games, and Cards

But the reaction spread beyond just the anime – usage of Jynx was stripped across the entire Pokémon franchise. In the video games, Jynx‘s availability was greatly reduced starting in 2002‘s Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire. Jynx cards were also phased out of the competitive Trading Card Game during this period.

For nearly a decade, Jynx was essentially blacklisted from Pokémon. Whenever Jynx did appear, their skin was digitally recolored to purple in an effort to quell complaints about the original racist blackface design. But ultimately this half-measure only delayed directly confronting criticisms.

Redesigning a Problematic Pokémon

In 2013, Game Freak finally redesigned Jynx with a new canon purple skin tone instead of black. This was explained as a biological adaptation to cold conditions, giving the change an in-universe explanation. Fans hoped this major redesign would help rectify the character‘s painful baggage.

But the impact of the initial backlash still lingers. Episodes like Holiday Hi-Jynx remain banned over 20 years later. Compared to the original 151 Pokémon, Jynx suffered greatly reduced appearances and popularity after being considered taboo for so long post-controversy.

Had its original design been properly vetted, Jynx could‘ve thrived alongside contemporaries like Pikachu rather than spending a decade banned.

Racist or Just Problematic? Debating Jynx‘s Design

Whether Jynx was intentionally designed as a racist caricature or just the victim of incredibly unfortunate coincidences is still debated. Critics point to obvious racist attributes, but Pokémon‘s Japanese developers likely had no ill intent nor knowledge of America‘s racist history. Still, regardless of origins, the hurtful impact of the imagery remains.

As a black Pokémon fan myself, I always felt uncomfortable with Jynx despite loving the games. Seeing a clearly stereotypical depiction used so prominently stung even if designers were ignorant of the harm caused. Intentions don‘t erase the damage done.

So was Jynx‘s original design racist? I‘d argue yes, though unintentionally so. Media created for global consumption must be careful to avoid even unintentional prejudice. But the franchise‘s efforts to listen to criticism and implement changes does demonstrate a willingness to identify and rectify mistakes.

The Cautionary Tale of Jynx

While remaining controversial, Jynx now represents both the harms of cultural insensitivity and how responding to valid concerns can foster growth. By learning from mistakes, perhaps future Pokémon can avoid similar pitfalls on the path to being beloved by all fans equally. Still, Jynx stands as a caution – global franchises must consider diverse cultural perspectives during development, not just after launch.

Ultimately, the story of Jynx banning illustrates the complex intersection between race, society, and popular art around the world. For established brands like Pokémon, honoring diverse audiences should be a priority, not an afterthought. Respectful inclusion helps build fan devotion, while exclusion breeds distrust. By listening and adapting, Pokémon can evolve into an even more welcoming franchise for all.