“Nintendo Changes Character Name in Super Mario Bros. Movie to Avoid Offending People in Japan”

If you’ve been to the cinema to see The Super Mario Bros. Movie, you’ll be introduced to the big screen appearance of Mario’s former foreman, Spike, a character who was actually introduced back in the Wrecking Crew installment. While few general moviegoers likely won’t recognize the heritage of the character, Nintendo has kicked off a change across Japan in an effort to avoid offending people.

As announced on the company’s Japanese Twitter channel, the character formerly known as Blackie has been renamed in Japan to Spike. This will primarily take effect when Illumination’s film opens in Japan next week, on the 28th.