![]() ![]() The religion is animistic and pantheistic, Dr Bryce explains, meaning that spirits or gods - known as kami - can be found in natural phenomena, like waterfalls, along with animals, trees, everyday objects, and sometimes even humans. This melding between the natural and the supernatural is inherent in Shinto beliefs. "The original Pokémon setting has that connection with land - the physical environment - and quite supernatural beings," she says. Like Hindusim and Greek mythology, Shinto has a pantheon of godsĪccording to Mio Bryce, head of Japanese studies at Macquarie University, the world of pocket monsters is full of Shinto elements.The word is a translation of the Chinese phrase "shen dao", meaning "the way of the gods".It coexists with other religions - many Japanese are Shinto and Buddhist.An animistic, folkloric belief system, native to Japan. ![]() With its cute, mousey mascot and the rousing catchcry "gotta catch 'em all", Pokémon has won the hearts of gamers globally since it was released in 1996.īut for Japanese players, raised with a knowledge of Shinto - the country's oldest and largest faith - the Pokémon universe is more than a cartoon fantasy.
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