in China, we have a famous meme for Persona 5: “P5 is the best in the world!” Then there’s a completely different game — Yakuza: Like a Dragon — which we nicknamed: “Your party is a group of tattooed, unemployed middle-aged guys, but it plays like a Persona game.”
The funniest part isn’t the translation of the Chinese title “Goddess Chronicle” (which is nothing like “Persona” as “mask”). It’s the contrast: The most serious yakuza faces performing the most chuunibyou turn-based actions — plus Ichiban’s afro. Perfect.
When I first played Yakuza 7, it felt weirdly connected to Persona 5. So I went to a Chinese forum and asked: “Is there a gender-swapped Persona 5?” People laughed and said, “Aren’t you asking on purpose?” I was confused for a few seconds, then we all burst out laughing.
(For Chinese speakers: I originally asked for “Male Goddess Chronicle” — ridiculous, I know.)
So my question to Western players: What do you think of this meme culture unique to Chinese players? Share your funniest thoughts.
In China, you can casually buy super violent games like DOOM without any issue. But the cozy, wholesome Animal Crossing? You basically have to use secret signals or special methods just to get a copy. Some people started causing trouble and sharing inappropriate stuff inside the game, so Chinese online stores ended up banning it entirely. That’s why we Chinese players gave Animal Crossing a hilarious nickname: “Buff Dudes Picking Twigs.”