May 29 (News On Japan) - A pirate-themed game titled "Pirates Anime Quest" has stirred controversy after it appeared on Nintendo’s online store, with users pointing out its uncanny resemblance to characters from the wildly popular anime series One Piece.
The game was released in the lead-up to the launch of Nintendo's new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for release next week. With heavy anti-scalping measures in place, the new console had already drawn significant attention. It was during this promotional window that "Pirates Anime Quest," also compatible with the upcoming Switch 2, quietly made its debut on the store.
However, it quickly drew criticism. Characters featured beside the game’s title logo bore striking similarities to One Piece characters, including iconic traits like a chest scar in the shape of an “X,” blond hair, and spiral-patterned eyebrows.
Social media was quick to react. Comments included: "I was completely fooled—I thought it was One Piece," and "Is this a real pirate copy?"
Adding to the confusion, the game’s subtitle reads “The Adventure of One Boy and the Island’s Piece,” a phrase that, when shortened, could be read as “One Piece.”
Nintendo responded by confirming that sales of the game had already been suspended. "We have confirmed that this product has been removed from sale. It will also gradually disappear from customers' displays," the company stated. However, Nintendo declined to comment on the specific reasons or process behind the suspension.
Legal expert Kotaro Maeno of City Lights Law Office weighed in, saying, "The game includes features so closely resembling those characters—like the scar or facial structure—that it’s hard not to make the association. But on the other hand, with a title like ‘One Boy and the Island’s Piece,’ it becomes more legally ambiguous and harder to judge definitively."
Source: FNN
