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Min Min revealed as ARMS rep in Smash Ultimate
- Thread starter Mariolee
- Start date
I kind of consider the Pokémon Trainer to be the main character(s) of the Pokémon games, but you could easily argue that Pikachu is the main mascot/most recognizable.
Those invitation trailers never disappoint. Although I honestly would have preferred Twintelle, hey at least it wasn't Spring Man.
I would have loved Twintelle too, as she's my most played character, but Min Min is also great - not to mention the most obvious choice (for one thing, Twintelle may have been the most popular character reveal shortly before the game's release but she wasn't the most popular character overall; and secondly, with her particular ARMS and movement abilities Min Min was easily the best pick for Smash in terms of movesets) - and to be honest I'm just thrilled that any character from ARMS made it into Smash because a) it's a great fucking game that I desperately hope more people check out so that it can be given the green light for a sequel and b) every one of them is fucking amazing in terms of design and abilities and anyone would have looked and felt the part. Some more than most, obviously, but I'm glad that Min Min came out on top.
Reopening post
Official Staff Communication
Apologies for the delay -- we had to wait for Asian staff to become available for some of these reports.
There are some thorny intersectional issues at play in this thread that we need to cover before reopening. Many posters are disappointed about the ARMS rep not being Twintelle, as the game doesn't have much in the way of black or brown representation, and at this point that lack is fairly egregious. We banned a number of posts dismissing the idea that black representation in a game like this is a reasonable thing to expect and we would like to make it clear: It is.
The second issue is Min Min, a character with a Chinese name who speaks her lines in Chinese, and who is clearly Chinese-themed in a way that other Asian Smash characters are not. There are gamers who identify with Min Min and feel represented by her, especially at this time of increasing xenophobia and tensions towards China. This representation has value too, and dismissing that is also not okay.
There are some thorny intersectional issues at play in this thread that we need to cover before reopening. Many posters are disappointed about the ARMS rep not being Twintelle, as the game doesn't have much in the way of black or brown representation, and at this point that lack is fairly egregious. We banned a number of posts dismissing the idea that black representation in a game like this is a reasonable thing to expect and we would like to make it clear: It is.
The second issue is Min Min, a character with a Chinese name who speaks her lines in Chinese, and who is clearly Chinese-themed in a way that other Asian Smash characters are not. There are gamers who identify with Min Min and feel represented by her, especially at this time of increasing xenophobia and tensions towards China. This representation has value too, and dismissing that is also not okay.
There can definitely be both criticisms without the reactionary racism against asians. Nintendo's dearth of black representation across their wide library of IP is a massive issue. And positive representation of a female Chinese character in Smash is good.
"Min Min isn't a POC" or "asian characters in an asian game isn't diversity" are definitely not the right takes tho lol
It's kinda crazy how him and his team outdo themselves. Min Min looks like the most unique character by a long shot. No wonder this character took so long (on top of covid roadblocks)
I'm happy for China to get some representation through Min Min, but I would've preferred Twintelle personally. The only issue I have with Min Min is that she has blonde hair and green eyes which typically isn't seen in Chinese folks. Unless I'm mistaken? But then again I guess she could be half Chinese.
agreed. A command grab midair is missing though. That was the main move in the ARMS test punch lol
Her hair is supposed to be ramen and her eyes are supposed to represent her dragon arm, if I'm remembering correctly.
Nope it's not seen as common at all. I think this is the first Chinese representation that uses those color choices.
User banned (2 weeks): dismissive commentary around representation
I feel like if you're gonna do a Chinese character, at least make them look Chinese. Min Min looks like a white girl with a Chinese nickname.
Minorities need to stick together - the infighting isn't helping any of us. Sure I would.have loved Twintelle as well but I'm not gonna pretend like Min Min isn't a great charachters and not a great addition to the Smash Bros rosters as Chinese female fighter with great design and gameplay.
We are all in this together in the end and progress is progress.
We are all in this together in the end and progress is progress.
I don't think Twintelle was ever likely and I think it says more that hopes were pinned on her to get any black representation. Keeping in mind Smash Bros is a crossover title so is always going to trend towards the main characters and/or most popular characters it speaks to the fact that whilst lots of games might have black characters, they are seldom the main protagonist and that doesn't only apply to Nintendo games.. The only notable examples from this gen off the top of my head are Locke from Halo 5 and Nadine from Uncharted but even still both would be passed over for Chief and Nathan Drake for a crossover game.
Dunno about the green eyes but the hair is because she's Ramen themed. Her hair + hat are an upside down ramen bowl.
Dunno about the green eyes but the hair is because she's Ramen themed. Her hair + hat are an upside down ramen bowl.
What? I didn't expect to get laugh this much from a post. I'm Arab btw lol
Great pick and really happy for the Chinese representation.
It was between Twintelle and Min Min so I'm pleased, esp as someone mixed.
It was between Twintelle and Min Min so I'm pleased, esp as someone mixed.
Min Min was my favorite character from the ARMS game itself; however, I really really pushed for Twintelle because as a black man, it would have felt really good to have a character who looked like me in my favorite video game franchise of all time, Super Smash Bros. Sadly, that did not happen, but if anyone else were to grab victory, I'm glad it was Min Min.
but, that doesn't make sense either considering ramen is a Japanese food.
Dude really needs help making character choices at this stage in his career, that much is clear. Thank you to whoever sat him down and made him do Min Min.
I'm not a ramen expert or anything, but Wikipedia says it originated in China.
I think her hair being blonde is supposed to be cute against her hat (which looks like the noodle bowl)...makes her entire head look like a bowl of noodles if you look at it upside down?
"Green eyes for dragon"...I mean sure if that's what it is.
I do agree though, having a character with blonde hair and green eyes on first glance honestly doesn't make me think Chinese. But, that's not considering her name and spoken language :). Once I look more into her, beyond her face, then cool. Chinese she is.
Pretty sure majority of East Asians have darker hair with dark eyes. But, that's compared to some Europeans. In anime, different hair colors and different eye colors don't make character not Japanese.
Yeah. Anti-Chinese sentiment is on the rise in general, and current events are largely to blame. There absolutely is room for Min Min in Smash.
...the fuck?
I'm pretty sure Arabians don't consider themselves white...and I'm sure as shit that white people don't see Arabians as white given the Islamophobia that's been plaguing the western world for the last few decades and more.
Ramen is the Japanese name for Chinese Wheat Noodles, which originated in China. They're most commonly known as Ramen in the West, but they're very much also Chinese
Wikipedia says it's Japanese but uses noodles of Chinese origin.
I might be wrong but I believe it's a Japanese name for a Chinese import.
