Quoted By:
Masuda: "While discussing how I approached the design of Pokémon [in Pokémon Scramble], I started with the thought of designing them like wind up toys. I made a similar remark during development. I was very fond of the idea."
>Sakurai: "Having gameplay centered around gaining stronger and stronger toys is different from the core series. In addition there’s the Mystery Dungeon series where Pokémon can talk in the game…. Ah, speaking of talking Pokémon, there’s Detective Pikachu. I was very surprised about that."
Masuda: "It was surprising. I decided myself that if Pikachu were to become a detective, he’d speak with an old man voice [laughs]."
>Sakurai: "I thought to myself, “Is this really allowed…” Because while I was working on Smash, there were very stringent restrictions on how I could design Pokémon."
Everyone: [laughs] Masuda: "I think that’s a natural reaction to seeing Detective Pikachu [laughs]. We had a lot of restrictions in place for Pikachu. For a long time."
>Sakurai: "According to the character license, Pikachu couldn’t speak and he couldn’t wear any clothing."
Masuda: "That’s right. I felt that Pikachu as a character become very established and entrenched over the course of these 20 years. So I thought that it was okay to loosen up on some of those restrictions. For example, Pikachu can wear clothes now because Pikachu is so recognizable, and it’s obvious that it’s Pikachu even with clothing on."
>Sakurai: "I see. So what you’re saying is that even though Pikachu is wearing clothes, most people will understand that’s not his true form, so to speak. It’s just a temporary phase."
Masuda: "That’s right. And that’s the same reason why Detective Pikachu wears a hat. So now, even if Pikachu says (in an old man voice) “Hey! Sakurai!”…"
