A Shift from Serious Fighting to Silly Beach Volleyball
When we think of the Dead or Alive series, our minds often drift to the famously exaggerated jiggle physics and beach volleyball spin-offs. Yet, before this trend took over, Koei Tecmo’s fighters were once hailed as serious contenders in the fighting game arena, particularly as successors to the esteemed Virtua Fighter 2. Fast forward to now, and the franchise has evolved into a multi-faceted spectacle, filled with an array of bizarre costumes ranging from bikinis to maid outfits.
Koei Tecmo’s Quandary: Protecting Their Characters
So, imagine our surprise when Tomotoshi Nishimura, Koei Tecmo’s legal head, expressed deep concern over fan art associated with the Dead or Alive cast. Speaking at Tokyo eSports Festa, he claimed the characters were essentially like ‘daughters’ to their creators. Now, using the term “musume”—which can mean both ‘daughter’ and ‘young girl’—might not be the creepiest thing here, but it certainly adds an air of peculiarity, especially considering the current portrayal of these characters.
A Legal Tug-of-War Over Intimacy and Image
The paradox intensifies as Koei Tecmo ramps up legal actions against hundreds of fan-made works, claiming that adult interpretations of their beloved characters could tarnish their image. Yet, this coexists with their history of promoting scantily-clad content and merchandise. Nishimura mentioned suspending 200 to 300 doujinshi and taking down fan art by the thousands, showcasing a knack for double standards that leaves fans scratching their heads.
As the next title approaches—Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme, a dating simulator—we can only wonder: will Koei Tecmo ever find the balance between protecting their ‘daughters’ and acknowledging the absurdity of their own legacy?