Yūrei and you.

This post contains a mild spoiler.

One of the things I try to do is give Rorasuketo a bit more of a Japanese flavor. I am not necessarily what I would call a "weeb," but I have enjoyed some Hey! Hey! Hey! "Silent Library" and played a lot of games from Japan, some with the occasional strange translation (spoony bard!). I have watched both Fullmetal Alchemists all the way through, and I collect Yotsuba and Black Jack manga. Of course I love me a Studio Ghibli film. But 90% of the time, if you ask me if I have heard of a manga/anime/band, I will probably say no.

As someone with a lot of white guilt, who tries to be hyper aware of power dynamics, I wrestle a bit with the idea of injecting Japanese culture into the game - or at least my second- or third-hand interpretation of Japanese culture. In a way, I consider Rora's tongue-in-cheek references fair game due to the massive influx of such media into the west. My little game does not have the power of the Nintendo corporation. I am sure my translations in places are rocky, but to me, that's a play on "Engrish" and a fun reversal of roles. Hopefully I am correct.

The ghost aspect is something someone recently asked about, and it gave me pause. I had to double check my research from a few years ago.

Spoiler: There is a ghost in Rorasuketo. It arrives on scene about 30 minutes in, so it's not a huge spoiler, but still.

The original translation I put in the game was obake, which is apparently more loosely translated to "shape shifter," and can include things like a fox spirit. The ghost I've written into the game is the spirit of a dead person with unfinished business. This is closer to a yūrei. My ghost is not as outright spooky as a yūrei , though it can shapeshift, too - so it is kind of a nebulous hybrid, which of course has its own inescapable American influence worked in. It has a cute form that I recently realized is part Kirby, part No-Face.

One aspect I did put into the character design is a little white triangle on its forehead. This is representative of a piece of Japanese funeral garb that people would be dressed in. I think Tiffany brought it to my attention.

These ghosts of sailors have the white headband sometimes associated with yūrei.
Source: seeksghosts.blogspot.com 

"Is this portrayal offensive?" asked my friend, who is of Korean descent. I am off to ask Reddit.