Nintendo Explains Where Tingle Came From

Watch Da Birdie

I buy cakes for myself on my birthday it's not weird lots of people do it I bet
Yeah, Tingle isn't gay. I really hate stereotypes, like this, though I'm guilty as well; I thought Bob from Animal Crossing was gay when that game first came out. Is the dislike that people have had over tingle actually related in part to homophobia?mif so, that is a scary thought.

Nah, I think the dislike over Tingle is more so due to how he represents the "kiddyish" side of Zelda that a lot of fans, especially those who began with Ocarina of Time, dislike.

Remember, Ocarina of Time was many Zelda fans first game, and although looking back the game has a lot of lighthearted moments, when it was released it definitely felt a bit "darker" than most games that were out at the time, probably also due to how it was one of the more realistic looking games back then. When Majora's Mask came out, Tingle was probably the silliest character those Zelda fans had encountered, and it was probably a bit jarring.

A lot of those fans had a very negative reactions towards "Celda", and I think Tingle, who played a big, perhaps obnoxious and forced role in Wind Waker, sort of became a mascot of what a lot of fans deemed was a direction they didn't want Zelda to go, preferring the more realistic, epic style.
 

NEO0MJ

Member
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"Dedede never returned to Popstar, and floated forever through space. And although he wished for death, he could never die. Eventually, he stopped thinking."
 

Watch Da Birdie

I buy cakes for myself on my birthday it's not weird lots of people do it I bet
I'm almost afraid to ask but what's the story behind that? wtf

IGN basically wrote a lot about how much Tingle was hated, I think they even had a "No More Tingle Petition", and apparently Anouma took notice of that and decided to drop Tingle from Twilight Princess and future games because of that.

I imagine NoA probably didn't localize the Tingle games either because they figured they'd sell poorly.
 

Scribble

Member
I don't give people the benefit of the doubt re: homophobia. Even if he is a gay stereotype, I don't see why the reaction to this particular stereotype has to be so hostile.
 
That doesn't really explain how he came about the way he is, but I don't care. Tingle is the best Zelda character!

Also, had no idea people thought he was gay.
 

Ants

Member
My point is, it's a foolish question to ask at all. Doubly so for something so out of Zelda's scope (relationships & love). I mean, I seriously doubt that Nintendo designs all of Zelda's NPCs with a rich and detailed backstory to explain every facet of their life.

Totally with you that it's a stupid question to ask in an interview with Aonuma, when there's so many more important things you could find out.

However, I think you're wrong on every other point in this specific instance. If Tingle had debuted in any other Zelda game, sure. But Majora's Mask definitely carries themes of relationships and love, it's one of the most memorable sidequests. And they put a lot more thought into the life and backstory of Zelda NPCs in this iteration as opposed to any other.
 
Tingle is a very awkward otaku-type. He wears his get-up because he is cosplaying. It is like meta-commentary on the extreme end of the fanbase.

In Majora's Mask his father is embarrassed snf thinks he needs to grow up.
 
IGN basically wrote a lot about how much Tingle was hated, I think they even had a "No More Tingle Petition", and apparently Anouma took notice of that and decided to drop Tingle from Twilight Princess and future games because of that.

I imagine NoA probably didn't localize the Tingle games either because they figured they'd sell poorly.

That is so sad. ):
A game character that got bullied out of relevance. Luckily Hyrule Warrior brought him back more fabulous than ever.
 

Joqu

Member
IGN basically wrote a lot about how much Tingle was hated, I think they even had a "No More Tingle Petition", and apparently Anouma took notice of that and decided to drop Tingle from Twilight Princess and future games because of that.

I imagine NoA probably didn't localize the Tingle games either because they figured they'd sell poorly.

Huh. I remember hearing Aonuma talk about his negative reception in the west but I never realized IGN spearheaded some sort of campaign against him. That's just bizarre.

I don't feel like it's that accurate anyway. Tingle's reception is mixed for sure but I've heard plenty of Smash Bros requests and people seemed pretty happy with his inclusion in the Hyrule Warriors DLC. Hate's always more vocal though. :/
 

BTHR Zero X

Member
See I never once thought Tingle was gay because I actually read his intro text. Honestly I found him a funny little character that was joyous and had a loving nature.

I am glad I live in the UK and got to experience Rosy Rupeeland, and That I imported Tingle's Balloon Fight.

I would love the sequal and the DSi Only game got released in Europe so I could play more of this funky little guy.
 
Yeah, Tingle isn't gay. I really hate stereotypes, like this, though I'm guilty as well; I thought Bob from Animal Crossing was gay when that game first came out. Is the dislike that people have had over tingle actually related in part to homophobia?mif so, that is a scary thought.
Bob might look gay, I thought about that too in the past but he only loves food and life and doesn't care about sex. That's why everyone should be Bob.
 
It's a cultural difference... Japanese people have a very peculiar sense of humor. I completely understand why western people could believe that he is gay and I'm fairly sure western Nintendo branches take advantage of that when they market games in which he's featured, to draw a bit of controversy.

I find it funny, and sad at the same time, that his sexuality is much more relevant than the rest of his character, not just with this character but also others that are, or were supposed to be, homosexual.
 

Yoshi

Headmaster of Console Warrior Jugendstrafanstalt
You're having an interview about Tingle and need to ask if he's gay when the main topic of one of the two big Tingle games, Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love, was for Tingle to find his true love (female)?
 

Joqu

Member
See I never once thought Tingle was gay because I actually read his intro text. Honestly I found him a funny little character that was joyous and had a loving nature.

I am glad I live in the UK and got to experience Rosy Rupeeland, and That I imported Tingle's Balloon Fight.

I would love the sequal and the DSi Only game got released in Europe so I could play more of this funky little guy.

I had totally forgotten about the DSi game! Pretty sure it's more of an app but it did look neat.
 

Ivan 3414

Member
I think people here are being too judgmental towards people who thought that Tingle may have been intended to be a gay character. There is nothing wrong with thinking that Tingle may have been a gay stereotype, nor is this some exclusive American-phenomenon as some have suggested.

It's quite common to see over-the-top gay caricatures in Japanese media...just the other day I was finishing up my Dragon Ball Z marathon, and in the last couple episodes there's a Freddie Mercury Leather Daddy who hits on kid Trunks. I don't think it's some huge stretch to think that Tingle, who has a similar flamboyant personality and has the "childish" element that tends to go hand-in-hand with gay caricatures in Japanese media, may have been partially intended to be a bit of a stereotype. While not of the same level of explicitness, take discussions about Mr. Popo and Jynx. Would you say it's the fault of the observer if they look at those characters and see a racial stereotype? I've seen many discussions about those two where the conversation was turned back around on those who were a bit bothered by how those characters are portrayed, and I see that happening here as well to a lesser extent.

Now, I do think there are those people who see Tingle as a gay stereotype, and hate him not because they find him in bad taste, but just don't like gay people, but I'm going to give most of GAF the benefit of the doubt here and assume that they're not homophobic just because they don't like a video-game character. I myself love Tingle, I'm mad as hell his games didn't come here thanks to IGN's smear campaign, and I wanted him in Smash Brothers. But I definitely can understand why some people might see him as a negative stereotype that conflates homosexuality with weirdness (and pedophilia, as the Dragon Ball example shows), and I respect that people can have that opinion. Remember, the games where Tingle hooks up with girls are unknown to much of the West...even in the countries they were released in, I imagine they're far more niche than mainstream Zelda, and looking at the covers of both, it's easy to see why the impression remains.

Thank you for this post.

I'm not with the campaign here where people who hate Tingle must be homophobic.
 
I don't think Japan knew about gay people in 2000, so it makes sense he's not gay



"Dedede never returned to Popstar, and floated forever through space. And although he wished for death, he could never die. Eventually, he stopped thinking."

You are amazing for that.
 

Ushojax

Should probably not trust the 7-11 security cameras quite so much
People thought he was gay?

Sorry, what?

Why?

To a lot of Western fans, especially in America, camp = gay.

Tingle is a parody of the Zelda fans, a grown man who loves pretending to be a fairy. Just like us Zelda fans enjoy playing as a forest fairy boy i.e. Link.
 
Surprised no one has said it yet, but didn't Tingle come from the operator of the pictograph contest in Southern Swamp?

I'll see myself out
 

Not Spaceghost

Spaceghost
I always thought Tingle was a jab at fans who cosplay as link. Ever since 2000 I thought that this character is making fun of people who take these games too seriously.
 
You would think you would know anything about the character before you asked such a question. Of course he isn't gay. He's actually a total horndog, lol.

I always thought Tingle was a jab at fans who cosplay as link. Ever since 2000 I thought that this character is making fun of people who take these games too seriously.


Well, that was his intent

It's why he said his father is disappointed in him pretending to be a fairy (playing zelda) instead of doing anything productive
 
While I don't agree with the stereotype. We all know it's there, despite how wrong it might be. I find it silly that people seem to act surprised that others may incorrectly assume a particularly flamboyant character might be homosexual.

I mean it was a dumb question, no doubt. But let's not pretend we can't possibly imagine why anyone might think that way. It doesn't make you look like a better person.
 
That is so sad. ):
A game character that got bullied out of relevance. Luckily Hyrule Warrior brought him back more fabulous than ever.

Wow, yeah, that is sad.
Totally happy he's in Hyrule Warriors though! Even my kids like him. Yes, they agree he's weird, but still like him and laugh whenever Tingle does what he does.
 
While I don't agree with the stereotype. We all know it's there, despite how wrong it might be. I find it silly that people seem to act surprised that others may incorrectly assume a particularly flamboyant character might be homosexual.

I mean it was a dumb question, no doubt. But let's not pretend we can't possibly imagine why anyone might think that way. It doesn't make you look like a better person.

Yeah, it seems like there are one or two people here trying to trip people up into saying something they can quote and reply " AH HAH!"
 

Cranzor

Junior Member
On that note, are there even any homosexual Nintendo characters?

Tony from EarthBound is gay.

Itoi said:
Well, for example, there’s a gay person in MOTHER 2. A really passionate friend who lives in an England-like place. I designed him to be a gay child. In a normal, real-life society, there are gay children, and I have many gay friends as well. So I thought it would be nice to add one in the game, too.

(From here.)
 
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