The Curious Case of Black Yoshi: Why He Disappeared
The disappearance of Black Yoshi from Nintendo’s official Mario canon is a complex issue, stemming from a confluence of factors rather than a single event. In short, the character’s removal is primarily attributed to a cease and desist letter issued by Nintendo to Logan Thirtyacre, the creator of the SuperMarioLogan (SML) YouTube series. This series, known for its often irreverent and parodic takes on Nintendo characters, featured Black Yoshi as a recurring character with a very distinct personality. Black Yoshi in SML was portrayed as a stereotypical and often problematic character, exhibiting violent, criminal, and generally undesirable traits, a far cry from the generally wholesome image of the character in games like Yoshi’s Story. While Yoshi’s Story introduced Black Yoshi as a rare, unique variant of the popular dinosaur, the SML interpretation propelled him into a very different context. Nintendo’s legal intervention effectively ended this specific portrayal of Black Yoshi, leading to his removal from the SML series and subsequent absence from most other derivative content. The complex tapestry of legal action, problematic representation, and Nintendo’s meticulous brand protection all played a part in the character’s vanishing act.
The SML Black Yoshi and Nintendo’s Intervention
The SuperMarioLogan (SML) series, while popular, often pushed the boundaries of fair use and character portrayal. Black Yoshi in SML was depicted as a gangster-like character who engaged in a variety of illicit activities, from theft to violence. He was also associated with racial stereotypes, depicted as a character who enjoyed grape Kool-Aid, fried chicken, and other elements that, while not inherently negative, contributed to a problematic portrayal of a character already associated with being “black.” It’s important to recognize that this wasn’t how Black Yoshi was initially presented in Yoshi’s Story, where it was simply a rarer variant of the standard Yoshi. This SML portrayal ultimately created a character that was neither representative of Nintendo’s intention nor aligned with the company’s family-friendly image.
Nintendo, fiercely protective of its intellectual property, sent a cease and desist letter to Logan Thirtyacre, demanding he stop the use of its characters. It was not solely about Black Yoshi, but his portrayal was a significant component of the issue. This legal action effectively severed the connection between the SML version of Black Yoshi and Nintendo, resulting in his disappearance from the series.
The Character’s Origins in Yoshi’s Story
Before the SML controversy, Black Yoshi was actually a rare, special variant of Yoshi that was introduced in Yoshi’s Story on the Nintendo 64. In this game, Black Yoshi and White Yoshi are presented as exceptionally rare colors, located in large, hidden eggs on pages 2-1 or 2-4. Notably, these special Yoshis had unique abilities, being the only ones that could consume every type of fruit, including red peppers, and even eat Black Shy Guys – a trait not shared with other Yoshi variants. Yoshi’s Story‘s portrayal of Black Yoshi is starkly different from the SML series. He was a novelty, a rare find, and a useful variant with different perks. However, this version was largely forgotten in the larger context of the SML controversy.
The Wider Impact
The removal of the SML version of Black Yoshi has had a considerable impact on the character’s perceived legacy. While he was never a significant player in the official Mario canon, the association with SML has overshadowed his original appearance in Yoshi’s Story. The character is now often remembered more for the controversy surrounding his portrayal in the YouTube series than his special characteristics in his original game. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of derivative works and the fine line between parody and copyright infringement. It also highlights Nintendo’s dedication to brand protection, even when faced with popular fan creations.
The Future of Black Yoshi
It’s highly unlikely that Black Yoshi will make a significant appearance in future official Mario titles. While he exists within the universe of Yoshi’s Story, the overwhelmingly negative association tied to the SML character probably discourages Nintendo from reintroducing the color variation in games. Therefore, the character’s future remains ambiguous, possibly resigned to being a footnote in Mario history and an cautionary tale regarding IP protection. While his absence might disappoint some, it demonstrates the serious considerations Nintendo takes when it comes to the image and representation of its characters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I find Black Yoshi in Yoshi’s Story?
Black Yoshi can be found in Yoshi’s Story by locating large, hidden eggs on pages 2-1 or 2-4.
2. What makes Black Yoshi special in Yoshi’s Story?
In Yoshi’s Story, Black Yoshi and White Yoshi are unique as they can consume all types of fruit, including red peppers, and they can eat Black Shy Guys, unlike other Yoshi colors.
3. Why was Yoshi removed from German packaging?
Yoshi wasn’t banned but removed to make room for Germany’s oversized rating mark. Pikachu was repositioned, and the rating mark took Yoshi’s place.
4. Has Black Yoshi appeared in other Mario games besides Yoshi’s Story?
Black Yoshi has made limited appearances outside of Yoshi’s Story, primarily due to his rare status, and the SML controversy has further decreased the likelihood of his use in newer games.
5. Why did Black Yoshi disappear from SML?
Black Yoshi disappeared from the SuperMarioLogan (SML) series due to a cease and desist letter from Nintendo, stemming from his controversial portrayal and the use of Nintendo’s intellectual property without permission.
6. What type of character is Black Yoshi in SML?
In SML, Black Yoshi is portrayed as a violent, homicidal, mean, evil, arrogant, and aggressive character who commits crimes, a very different depiction than the Yoshi in official Nintendo games.
7. Is Black Yoshi a gangster?
In the context of SML, Black Yoshi is often presented with gangster-like characteristics, exhibiting a stereotype tied to his racialized portrayal.
8. What does Black Yoshi eat besides fruits?
In Yoshi’s Story, Black Yoshi can eat Black Shy Guys, a unique ability not shared by other Yoshi colors.
9. Is Black Yoshi black in color?
Yes, Black Yoshi is a black alternate coloration of Yoshi with special abilities and is usually shown wearing white boots.
10. What happened to Brown Yoshi?
Brown Yoshi was in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island but not in Yoshi’s Island DS, being replaced by Orange Yoshi. It’s suggested that he might have not found a game fitting him.
11. Are there other rare Yoshis besides Black and White?
While Black and White Yoshis are considered especially rare and have unique abilities in Yoshi’s Story, there are numerous other Yoshi color variations, including Red, Blue, Pink, Purple, Yellow, and others.
12. Is the Black Yoshi from SML the same as the one in Yoshi’s Story?
No, the Black Yoshi from SML and the one from Yoshi’s Story are completely different in character and portrayal. The game version is a special, rare Yoshi, while the SML version was a problematic, stereotypical caricature.
13. Is Yoshi a boy or a girl?
In official sources and games, Yoshi is generally referred to as male.
14. Is there a Rainbow Yoshi?
Yes, Yoshis come in a variety of colors, including a Multicolor version often referred to as Rainbow Yoshi.
15. Did Yoshi ever eat or adopt another Yoshi?
In some specific contexts, such as in fan-created content like Mama Luigi, Yoshis are shown to “adopt” other Yoshis, but this is not a feature of the official Mario games.