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A while back I posted an article about what Japanese gamers thought about Little Mac in Smash Bros. and it turned out to be pretty interesting! A newer Super Smash Bros. announcement video has since been released (about a week or two ago, I think), and I was quickly inundated with requests to look into how Japanese fans responded to it – especially how Japanese gamers responded to the news that Greninja from Pokémon is going to be a playable character:

Unlike with the Little Mac stuff, though, readers have been asking about many different parts of the Smash Bros. announcement video, like, “What did Japanese gamers think about the Greninja reveal?” and, “What did Japanese gamers think about the release date announcements?” So if you haven’t seen the full video yet, you can check it out here:



Overall, it sounds like Japanese fans really liked this update. Based on this poll, here’s a rough look at how well-received it was:

”What did you think of today’s program?”

Very good: 84.5%

Pretty good: 10.1%

Average: 2.4%

Not that good: 0.7%

Not good at all: 2.3%

As for comments and message board posts, there are so many comments about so many different topics that I can’t even scratch the surface, but here are some for your reading pleasure and curiosity. They come from many different places (including Twitter), not just one or two sources, but even so, don’t take these as representative of everyone!

Also note that “Greninja” is actually called “Gekkouga” in Japanese – I’ve translated it as Greninja in these comments for simplicity’s sake.

I’m jumping with excitement like I’m a kid again It looks like they’re hoping to please Japanese demand AND overseas demand. I totally like that! If you’re gonna complain, you don’t gotta buy it

That Greninja video was so awesome!

I’m so happy!

You gotta play using THAT controller?

If you were a parent, which would you do? 1. Buy only the 3DS version, since your kid already has a 3DS 2. Spend tens of thousands of yen to buy the 3DS game plus the Wii U and the Wii U game

I’m so happy (Thank you, Nintendo!)

Charizard and Greninja, huh? That was an incredible Direct

Fanboys: “60 FPS & full HD or bust”

I don’t think he mentioned anything about 1080p

Charizard and Greninja were announced for Smash Bros. When I saw the video, for a second I mistook it for an announcement about Mewtwo. So here’s my question: personally, I still have faith since Mewtwo has a mega-evolution and the movie. Do you think Mewtwo’s spot in the roster would be announced after the game goes on sale?

Uh oh I can’t stop my excitement

So much awesomeness. I’m gonna buy the Wii U and 3DS versions. I’ll end up broke for sure, but I’m gonna buy ’em.

Why’s there a Nintendo Direct this early on a weekday morning?

They must’ve wanted a ninja

Overslept, missed it

Wii U version all the way. Are they idiots, selling the crappy 3DS version first?

Greninja is even more ninja-ier than I imagined

Just make a Pokemon Smash Bros. already!

Announcement of Wii U’s death

Nintendo Direct’s over, back to bed I go

Couldn’t they have just announced all this in Famitsu instead?

Pretty good, for Nintendo

The different-generation Rockmen was the biggest surprise!

We can at least have cross-platform saves… right?

It’s gonna be way suckier on the 3DS

He said the 3DS version will be 60 FPS with some things at 30 FPS – is the Wii U all-60 FPS though?

Oh, Greninja’s super-popular in Japan and among foreigners! I bet everyone’s smiling and ultra-happy about this

This current Pokemon character lineup is absolutely perfect

Greninja turned out to be cooler than I thought!

Where’s Wario?!

Mewtwo?

Why is Greninja considered a bad guy?

No characters from The Wonderful 101?

This announcement [about Greninja] came completely out of nowhere!

Is it me, or do I sense more love for Rockman in this Direct than from Capcom itself?

I’m curious to see what Greninja’s special attack is called

The release date is so far offff

Man, I’m so so happy

They probably wanted to include a ninja since they’re taking overseas players so heavily into account.

FF9’s movies looked better

Where’s Ike?!

Sakurai said Zero Suit Samus is weak, but I always thought she was a pretty powerful character

I just assumed Greninja being in Smash Bros was just a lie, but it turned out to be true!

Are they broadcasting it this early to target schoolkids before they leave for school or something?

Reggie & Foreigners: “Fuck! Who cares about the damn 3DS version?! Release the console version first!”

These graphics don’t even begin to compare to the PS4. Shitty graphics confirmed!

The Rockman All-stars was the best part. Hey, Capcom! You paying attention?!

I’ve played many games in my life, but this is the first time I’ve felt this excited about one in a long time

Greninja’s so cool. That just leaves a grass-type now, I guess

This new Smash Bros kicks ass! Greninja’s so cool!

Uhhh Where’s Ike? And Snake? And Falco? And Meta Knight? All my mains are vanishing away…..

I can’t wait to play this!

They’ve only been doing one-game Directs lately…

I didn’t realize I was still a kid at heart way deep down

I hope the main character from “Nazo no Murasame-jo” will be in it

Greninja’s so cool!

I’m seriously glad I didn’t get a Wii U

Rockman’s in it too? Man, Capcom is completely on Nintendo’s side now, huh?

Bankruptdo’s final hope

Yeah, I guess Greninja makes more sense than Delphox, oh well

Sorry PS fanboys the Wii U’s sales are about to explode into victory

Is Falco gonna be in it?

Ashley’s cute

Greninja, huh? Greninja’s a personal favorite of mine, so I’m really happy

Just how many characters are there going to be?!

I never expected Greninja. I’m happy, but I want it now!

ROFL Greninja? Damn, I never even thought of that

Please tell me there are secret characters too. Gimme Jigglypuff and Mewtwo plz

Greninja’s so cute!

What are you holding a Nintendo Director at this hour for?!

Doesn’t 4 Pokemon seem a little too many? I thought for sure Mewtwo would be back, but it seems unlikely now

Why aren’t there any Xenoblade characters yet?

Please just keep Ike!

Greninja IS really popular with foreigners and all

So there you go. Although it’s pretty normal for negativity to sound the loudest online, it sounds like this latest announcement had a pretty positive response overall in Japan.

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