The world of video games can be a bizarre place at times. The upcoming “Mobius Final Fantasy” title for mobile phones featured the ultimate horror of all horrors: a male character in skimpy, sexualized clothing. Japanese fans were so shocked at the sight of the upcoming game’s main character that Square Enix felt the need to self-censor and cover those obscene hipbones from view. 

Some of the folks working at Square Enix have been vocal about their displeasure with this change, and the company claims that should they get enough fan feedback to the contrary, they will revert to the original, sexier design.

I’m surprised at how apathetic I feel. Maybe it’s because it was the Japanese public that demanded this and not the culture in which I live. Maybe by this point I’m just not surprised anymore when it comes to such matters. Of course, there’s the double-hypocrisy: no one blinks when a female video game character adventures and fights while wearing next to nothing, but God forbid a man should be dressed in a similarly sexual manner.

You do have to wonder why a skimpily dressed male character seems to disturb people. I can assure you it’s not because anyone is concerned with the lack of practicality that comes with marching into battle with armor that does not even cover one’s vital organs. There have been male characters made to appeal to those with a liking for the male form in this particular series; however, they tend to be adequately clothed. Well, except for Vaan in “Final Fantasy XII,” but no one ever seriously complained about that aspect of the character.

Considering that this game has not been confirmed for an American release, I can only say so much. I do wonder what American gamers would say when given a character like this. No doubt we’d have some folks shouting accusations of “reverse sexism,” ignoring the plethora of scantily clad female characters who no one ever seems to feel the need to cover up, even in the heat of battle.

Are people uncomfortable with the idea of an objectified male character? In games like the infamous “Final Fantasy X-2,” we have a trio of female characters who are dressed in revealing and sexualized clothing that would be extremely impeding, yet any complaints that decision caused were ignored. It’s come to the point where no one’s even shocked about it any longer when present on a woman, but men?  Oh God, cover him up! He’ll wreak havoc not unlike that of Handsome Squidward in “Spongebob Squarepants!”