Fat guy stereotypes in arcade games

[armorharmer]

I noticed that in lot of older videogames there is a fat guy wearing Arabian shoes and sometimes breathing fire. Did everyting begin with Karnov? I can think of some other similiar characters besides him - G.Oriber from Final Fight, Big Ben from Streets Of Rage (not arcade, but arcade style beat em up), Lollipop from Violent Storm, etc. Can you tell me from where this idea originated? And why Arabian shoes? Also, if you happen to know any example of this stereotype in other games, please post here...

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

http://hokuto.wikia.com/wiki/Kat%C5%8D_Jutsu (check out Heart)

90% of the things that you see in Japanese video games comes from manga/anime influences that have also been influenced by something else.

[Rossyra]

http://prowrestling.wikia.com/wiki/Abdullah_the_Butcher

[Molloy]

Think pro wrestling and sumo wrestling must be an influence. Plus fat people are fun to animate.

[Spectre]

90% of the things that you see in Japanese video games comes from manga/anime influences that have also been influenced by something else.

Street Fighter is a great example of how Japanese video game designers base character design on popular figures, either from real life or other media. Some are obvious like Fei Long is Bruce Lee, Balrog is Mike Tyson, but google Soeno vs Reiba, Billy Blanks etc

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

http://prowrestling.wikia.com/wiki/Abdullah_the_Butcher

Karnov even has the same scars on his head!

[armorharmer]

http://prowrestling.wikia.com/wiki/Abdullah_the_Butcher

Damn, that's it!

[landisama]

In the old game Knuckle Joe, there is also a fat man boss that spits fire....indeed this stereotype is everywhere

[turntablism]

sorry for off topic:
There are always Caracters in some Videogames which you see again and again
I always wondered what the red head means ? I've seen this in many games..

img001.png

[Moonwalker]

This is Daruma. The Japanese word for Bodhidarma, who was the monk who brought Buddhism and martial arts to asia.

[turntablism]

You never stop learning - thanks mate !

[Moonwalker]

You´re welcome. The Daruma is present in a lot of modern japanese cultures. There´s Daruma shaped candy, ice cream and a lot of other marketing done.