Naruto and Star Wars referenced in Puchi Puchi Virus localization

By Spencer . February 28, 2008 . 3:07pm

Puchi Puchi Virus has 101 monsters to cure each with a silly name. However, the humor is full of Japanese puns, most of which would be lost in a direct translation. NIS America intelligently pulled a “Shin-Chan” to remove a cultural barrier for the casual audience they’re trying to attract with Puchi Puchi Virus. After unlocking data cards for a number of monsters I think NIS America a really good job.

Take Sasukerrot as an example, a reference back to Sasuke of Naruto fame. In the Japanese version he’s called Ninjajin (in kanji), which means ninja person. His name is also a play off of ninjin, carrot in Japanese, and he’s a carrot. Get it?

Of course Sasuke’s rival Narucrow makes an appearance too! Take a look at him, Cattie Fisher and other creatures past the break.

Not all of the monsters in Puchi Puchi Virus were isolated to Japanese jokes. A monster based off Bruce Lee known as Buru Buru Lee and a Goldilocks creature were in the Japanese version.