Hong Kong fans no longer in the dark :: News

Reported by Psythor on Sat 30 Aug 2003 10:59:55 UTC
Last updated by Psythor on Sat 30 Aug 2003 10:59:55 UTC
Section: Episode Guides

Nearly three years ago, after the Sydney 2000 Olympics had finished, Hong Kong television stopped showing Pokémon mysteriously- now we know why.

This news item is more than 45 days old. Updates are unlikely and newer information may already be available.

Here's the full story, as translated by Jynx:

"The reason of Hong Kong stopped showing Pokemon has been a mystery for years, because thousands asked the TV company but no reply was found. Yet, today, the Japanese Nintendo stated a shocking reply that seems to be real! The reason is: Nintendo of Japan didn't like the fact of the Hong Kong TV company changing the Japanese Theme Song(original singing by Rika) into Cantonese (sung by Koo Kui Kei.). And for buying the English Version of Pokemon from USA, without permission from Nintendo Japan. Thus, Nintendo Japan had decided to ban Hong Kong from showing Pokemon for three years. This explains why. Though some Pokemon fans thought that the TV company do not have enough money to buy the cartoon from Nintendo, but not showing the old episodes would be a mystery, because it usually buys the right for showing them( Japanese cartoons) for twice. The reply from Nintendo also explains why the TV company never reply us----If they don't have enough money, they would have told us directly, and get donations from us! But since the fact is that TV company had done something very wrong, I believe that no one will ever reply."

Apparently, Pokémon will be back on HK television screens in October.

Thanks to Jynx, Susanna Shiu and the Hong Kong Pokémon Alliance for this news.