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{{trope}}
[[File:Kirby Air Ride 2 1379.jpg|link=Kirby|
{{quote|''Being happy is sometimes rather pleasant, really. Japanese developers understand this mysterious truth, but while they keep trying to export their eternally sunny characters to us, we just keep transforming them into gloomy, moody tough guys.''|"[http://www.gamesradar.com/f/why-japanese-box-art-is-better/a-20080729123833874037 Why Japanese Boxart is Better]{{broken link}}," Games Radar}}
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{{examples}}
==
* Astro Boy is known to be very cute and innocent. But when the 2003 anime was brought to America, most of the advertisement focused on the action scenes and his super hero side. The dubbing gave him a harsher and more snarky attitude as well. It also cut out most of Astro's cute child-like moments. To say nothing of the DVD boxset cover which is just his face looking absurdly angry.▼
* Even when it became [[Darker and Edgier]], the ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' franchise has always had a humorous, whimsical tone, summed up nicely by DBZ's [[Crazy Awesome]] Japanese theme tune, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtFMwF7CKGo&feature=related Cha-La Head Cha-La]". Its North American opening themes, on the other hand, have ranged from "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAshPnOKzSg Rock The Dragon]" to… [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O27PUI1veBg well, this]. Later English-language releases have either kept or translated the Japanese themes.▼
** When CNX ([[Cartoon Network]] UK's short-lived attempt at attracting the 15-35 male demographic) got the rights to show the original ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', the [[The Ocean Group|Canadian-dubbed]] episodes they acquired featured [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVrVTinOsBw a cheerful kid-focused opening theme]. Fearing ridicule from their target audience, a new opening with more action-packed scenes from the show was thrown together, complete with [[Kung Foley]] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBkVLTHy_2c a remixed theme]. (Though the Canadian themes were accidentally shown on occasion.)▼
** The terrible French dub (And the many other dubs that translated from it) inverted this trope by giving ''Z'' a super-happy OP about Gohan. Saying it invokes [[Mood Whiplash]] would be falling short.▼
** In a variation, the European Spanish dub of ''Cha-La Head-Cha-La'' keeps the music but changes the comedy lyrics to standard "We'll beat up the villains" fare, which is more this trope.▼
* Nelvana's infamous [[Macekre]] English dub of ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]'', while not exactly "hardcore," considerably downplayed the [[Shojo]] cuteness of the original, essentially trying to change it into [[Shonen]] (even changing the show's name to just ''Cardcaptors'', presumably to downplay the fact that the main character is a girl, and cutting out the first seven episodes, which take place before Sakura's male rival Syaoran is introduced). The original opening theme was replaced with a more histrionic rock song, Sakura and her friends sounded more like teenagers than elementary schoolers, and perhaps most egregiously of all, Kero was given a [[Totally Radical]] dudebro voice and his characterization was changed to be more like a comedic foil sidekick akin to Mushu from ''[[Mulan]]''. As a result, the English dub had a completely different feel from the Japanese original, and anyone who's seen the latter would be able to spot the dub's attempts to turn the show into something quite different from what it was originally.▼
* The same thing was done for ''[[Vision of Escaflowne]]'' to make it more hardcore they removed THE ENTIRE FIRST EPISODE because it focused too much on romance leaving many American fans confused as to what was happening. The show was eventually cancelled while the Canadian dub which kept the first episode finished its entire run.▼
* Some of the dub voices in ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]''. Most notably is Russia, who had a higher-pitched, cuter, somewhat happier voice in the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5uWmMImOf0 Japanese] version, and a deeper, gruffer voice in the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoeCZf9zc1A&feature=relmfu English dub]. It's left up to the watchers to determine whether this was done to better fit the [[Husky Russkie|stereotype]] or to defuse some of the [[Cute and Psycho|horror]].▼
* ''[[Madoka Magica]]'' was released as 6 two-episode boxsets in Japan, with [http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Madoka_Magica_Products#Blu-Ray_Discs different boxarts for each.] Three of the boxarts show characters looking happy and/or cute, two are relatively neutral, and one has a very dark and angsty mood to it. The U.S. release was 3 four-episode boxsets, and used three of the existing boxart pictures. [[Foregone Conclusion|To the surprise of no one]], they chose the two neutral ones (the first and last) and the angsty one (number four). {{spoiler|This may be somewhat justified given the nature of the series, but still...}}▼
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* American edition of [[Graphic Novel]] ''[[Marzi]]'' looks like [https://web.archive.org/web/20120219101514/http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/comics/?cm=20192 this], while the original looks like [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144124/http://www.komiks.gildia.pl/komiksy/marzi/1,okladka this].▼
* This is more a case of Modern [[DC Comics]] Is Hardcore, but check out [
* The ''[[Redwall]]'' series has produced a lot of covers over the years, ranging from cartoonish to realistic, from gritty and abstract to epic and clear-drawn. Although every country's publications had their own different variations of all ends of the scale, there are some pretty standard levels for their home country (which may not least be due to the artists themselves):▼
** Original British covers are realistic and colourfully objective. [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070305185353/redwall/images/e/e2/UKsalahc.jpg Here] and [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100822163904/redwall/images/1/1f/Marlfox.jpg here].▼
** American Covers are similarly colourful but almost constantly more epical playing this trope completely straight ([http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090107071359/redwall/images/d/d4/MTWHardcover.jpg here] and [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060211193954/redwall/images/d/d1/PearlsOfLutraFirebird.jpg here]). But their chapter illustrations are either rather cartoonish and abstract ([http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051015005927/redwall/images/c/c7/Mattimeo.jpg here]) or beautifully copper/plated ([http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080229101223/redwall/images/1/11/Samkim2.PNG here]).▼
** French covers are sometimes kept in pseudo-3d-rendering, both gritty and abstract (perhaps even downright disturbing). Just look at those rotoscopes of humans with animals' heads ([http://redwall.wikia.com/wiki/File:Mf-france-vol1.jpg here] and [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081013043918/redwall/images/e/ea/FrenchSalamandastronVol4.gif here]).▼
** Russian Covers are rather realistic and incredibly detailed in both physique and attire. ([http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090518033604/redwall/images/3/33/Ruslp.jpg here] and ([http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080303014311/redwall/images/b/b0/Russianrthc.jpg here)]▼
** Israeli Covers are... interestingly cartoonish ([http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110319140234/redwall/images/f/f5/Hebrewredwall.jpg here] and [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110319142123/redwall/images/c/c2/Redwisraelchar1.jpg here]).▼
** German covers stay usually on one level with the British ones ([http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060105082731/redwall/images/4/4f/Matti-german.jpg like here]), but have quite some... unnerving exceptions ([http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060106055125/redwall/images/f/f9/GermanMossflower2.jpg here] and [http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080422054506/redwall/images/3/37/Redwallaudio1995.jpg here]). [[Uncanny Valley]] ahead.▼
* More like "Russian ''[[Warrior Cats|Warriors]]'' is Hardcore". Compare [https://web.archive.org/web/20110408185917/http://www.warriorswish.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=2&fullsize=1 this] to [https://web.archive.org/web/20110408185934/http://www.warriorswish.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=35&fullsize=1 this]. There's a lot more where that came from: The title translation is also subject to this having been translated as ''Raging Storm'' rather then ''Rising Storm''. Also, the French title for ''Fire and Ice'' roughly means ''In Fire and In Blood''.▼
** Inverted with the Japanese covers. The Japanese [http://i25.tinypic.com/v75dls.jpg cover] for ''The Darkest Hour'', which is probably the most carnage-tastic book in the series, is of [[Covers Always Lie|two fluffy kitties smiling]].▼
* To ensure that it sells with the mainstream crowd, Yen Press [[Executive Meddling|was told by distributors]] that (the first volume) American ''[[Spice and Wolf]]'' is [[Contemptible Cover|Trashy]] and Realistic. It didn't go well, so the original art was used from the second volume onwards.▼
* The [[Tortall Universe|Protector of the Small]] quartet has [https://web.archive.org/web/20130508121416/http://tamorapierce.wikia.com/wiki/The_Protector_of_the_Small_covers different covers] in the US and the UK. American [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080615175435/tamorapierce/images/thumb/7/79/Squire.jpg/102px-Squire.jpg Squire] has Keladry of Mindelan holding a baby griffin and looking at the viewer with a faint smile; [http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100109210651/tamorapierce/images/thumb/2/22/Squire_uk_paperback.jpg/123px-Squire_uk_paperback.jpg in the UK] she's looking at it and smiling more broadly. US [http://tamorapierce.wikia.com/wiki/File:Lady_Knight.jpg Lady Knight] has her staring at us with a hostile expression; in the UK she [http://tamorapierce.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ladyknightuk.jpg looks to the side] and seems more hopeful. Notably, although three books out of the trilogy have different artwork, they all feature the same subject, just interpreted differently.▼
* Peter Grant is way macho in the [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f50VvY-dR9k/TTFXfCPOleI/AAAAAAAAAU0/8SuxsbjJmo0/s1600/9780345524256.jpg US cover] of [[Midnight Riot]]/[[Rivers of London]] compared to the restrained 'arty' look of the [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f50VvY-dR9k/TSl06w6CaTI/AAAAAAAAAUc/7STCe6nzULE/s1600/riverscover_.jpg British cover]. Also note that Peter Grant, who in the books is described as a slender mixed race young man who by his own admission looks more North African, has metamorphosed into a [[Scary Black Man]]. And as a [[British Coppers|British Copper]], he'd better have signed for that gun.▼
* The original cover art for Japanese [[Doom Metal]] band Boris' album ''Smile'' is [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Borissmile.jpg cute]. The American release's cover is [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Boris-smileus.jpg edgy].▼
* An inversion occurred when [[Within Temptation]]'s album ''The Unforgiving'' made it to Japan...and the gothed-up [[Sharon Den Adel]] cover was replaced by one with a busty, [[Moe]] [[Meganekko]] schoolgirl waggling her finger at the buyer.▼
== [[Video Games]] ==
=== Action-Adventure Games ===
* Compare the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144059/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/4/563284_2715_front.jpg Japanese] and [http://www.gameexpress.com/images/product/original/039854000225F.JPG American] box art for the obscure Game Boy port of ''Milon's Secret Castle''.
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** Not surprisingly, ''Magic John''/''Totally Rad'' was published by Jaleco, a company famous for having its game's characters and plot being almost completely altered for American release. A good example being ''Sayuuki World 2'', a game based loosely on ''The Journey to the West'' which became the Native-American themed ''Whomp 'Em''. The original ''Sayuuki World'' was never released outside Japan.
** ''Taro's Quest'', an unreleased and unfinished localization of Jaleco's ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' clone ''Jajamaru Ninpou Chou'', had major changes to the graphics, redrawing the character portraits to be less [[Super-Deformed]] and outright replacing some of the more goofy-looking monsters.
* The first Super Famicom ''[[Ganbare Goemon]]'' game was translated and brought over as ''Legend of the Mystical Ninja'', and [[Macekre|funky character renaming aside]] (Kid Ying and Dr. Yang? ''REALLY?''), the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131125205739/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/goemon/goemon1sfc.jpg box art] was suitably [https://web.archive.org/web/20131125205739/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/goemon/mysticalninjasnesa.jpg "Americanised"].
* ''[[EVO Search for Eden|E.V.O. Search for Eden]]'' is a [[Subversion]]; compare the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150330071406/http://ocremix.org/files/images/games/snes/5/e-v-o-search-for-eden-snes-cover-front-76900.jpg SNES version's] realistic, if fanciful, box art to the [[Kawaiiko|considerably cutesier]] [http://www.videogameden.com/sfc/cover/evo.jpg Super Famicom version]. Looks like a straight example, right? It turns out that the SNES version is actually using the ''original'' cover art from ''[http://medium.media.vgm.io/albums/59/1495/1495-1262596848.png 4.6 Billion Year Story: The Theory of Evolution]'',<ref>Which is what the SFC version of E.V.O. is named in Japan. Image is the cover art for the [http://vgmdb.net/album/1495 Symphonic Synth Suite album].</ref> made by the same company for the [[PC 98|PC-9801]], and of which ''E.V.O.'' is a (loose) port!
* Just when you thought Nintendo was eschewing this with Kirby, along comes ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks]]''. In Japan and Europe, the box to Link's latest DS adventure features him happy riding his train (the train being the game's big innovation, after all) while in America, he's doing his best to look like a sword-brandishing tough guy. [http://pressthebuttons.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452033569e20120a62ab5b1970b-pi Which kind of clashes with the art style.]
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** In the Japanese version of the game the titular character is voiced by a woman with a much higher pitched, child-like voice compared to the [[Totally Radical]] teenage one he had in the American version, complete with cutesy little noises nearly every time he jumps.
* ''[[Asterix]] and Obelix XXL'' is a bit "American Kirby" compared to the source material, with the titular characters more aggressive than usual (with a good reason though, since the premise is the burning of their village and the capture of all their friends); however, while the [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/asterix/asterix_files/asterix-xxl-gc-cover-a.jpg European cover] shows their faces drawn similarly to the comic book, the [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/asterix/asterix_files/asterix-xxl-ps2-cover-a.jpg American cover] is a render of their in-game selves, ready to fight. And, as you can notice, the game is called ''Asterix and Obelix '''Kick Buttix''''' in the US!
* ''[[Jak and Daxter]]'' got the reverse of this: Compare the [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b6/Jak_and_Daxter_-_The_Precursor_Legacy_Coverart.png original American cover] with the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150712102954/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/japanboxes/jak-jp.jpg Japanese port].<ref>Image from [https://web.archive.org/web/20160208174730/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/japanboxes/japanboxes2.htm Hardcore Gaming 101]</ref> Curiously, the American cover fits with the [[Darker and Edgier|tone of the rest of the series]], but not with the happy original.
* The Japanese cover art for ''[[Dynasty Warriors|Dynasty Warriors 7]]'' was very minimalist, with simply the game's logo on a gold background. One can't blame Koei for wanting to spruce it up a bit. But they may have gone [https://web.archive.org/web/20121018163412/http://media2.shopto.net/boxart/PS3DY05.jpg a bit too far].
* ''[[Solatorobo]]'': While all covers are taken from official game art, the [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sruLyAW7i1Q/TaWuwcSk6HI/AAAAAAAAGvs/6AV9v5MsNYY/s1600/Solatorobo_red_the_hunter_cover.jpg Japanese cover] is definetly more happy-looking than the [http://images.nintendolife.com/games/ds/solatorobo_red_the_hunter/cover_large.jpg European] and [http://cdn02.animenewsnetwork.com/images/cms/the-x-button/42186/redcover.jpg American] ones.
* Inverted in the ''[[PlayStation 2]]'' game called ''Dogs Life''. The PAL and American covers are [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145924/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/2/917852_25707_front.jpg rather fitting for the game]; showcases the villains, protagonist, and the dogs you can control all in the style used for cutscenes. The Japanese cover is [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145649/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/2/917852_63389_front.jpg just Jake running through a farm] that vaguely resembles the Clarksville levels; and a stylistic version of him anyway.
* In [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7detDcmMKY the first English trailer] for ''[[Kid Icarus: Uprising]]'', Pit's voice gets even deeper than the English ''Brawl'' voice variant, mainly because his voice [[The Other Darrin|has changed]].
** Now that the box art is revealed, this trope is in play again. While both the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200909052852/http://bzzz.3dsbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/tumblr_lxrdqeJKpZ1qzp9we.jpg Japanese]{{Dead link}} and [https://web.archive.org/web/20200909052852/http://bzzz.3dsbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/tumblr_lxrdqeJKpZ1qzp9we2.jpg North American box]{{Dead link}} art show Pit with a furrowed brow, the NA version removed all traces of pink and gave him an angry frown instead of the open mouth smile.
=== Action Games ===
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* ''[[River City Ransom]]'' is a textbook example. Contrast the [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/Downtown_Nekketsu_Monogatari_game_cover.jpg Japanese box art], in which everyone looks more or less [[Super-Deformed|like they do]] in the actual game, with the [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/River_City_Ransom-front.jpg American box art]. Of course, even in the Japanese version, the heroes of that game, as well as every other game in the [[Kunio-Kun]] series, are indisputably hardcore. For the Japanese, "cute" and "hardcore" are [[Badass Adorable|not mutually exclusive]].
* The [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145732/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/4/582034_86410_front.jpg American cover] of ''Robo Army'' is, ahem, more "hardcore" than the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145632/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/4/582034_2458_front.jpg Japanese original].
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Turtles in Time|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140102094015/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/tmntbeatemups/Turtles%20in%20Time%20SNES%20Japanese%20Box%20Art.jpg The Japanese version] had art that looked just like the [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1987|'80s cartoon]] (and by proxy, the actual damn game). The American version? As per Konami of America's standards at the time, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131126002115/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/tmntbeatemups/Turtles%20in%20Time%20SNES%20American%20Box%20Art.jpg incredibly hardcore] and more like [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (comics)|the original comic]]. (See also: ''[[Sunset Riders]]'', most of the ''[[Contra]]'' games, and ''[[Castlevania]]'' ''III'' and ''IV''.)
* The American cover art of ''[[Guardian Heroes]]'' replaced the original anime-style depictions of the six main characters with a fantasy novel-like illustration of Han fighting against the Undead Knight, [[Covers Always Lie|even though he was one of the heroes in the game]]. The European version used the original Japanese art, but replaced the two heroines, Serena and Nicole, with Zur the magician and Macho the bodybuilder, who aren't even main characters, turning the European cover into a complete sausage fest for no reason ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130514120436/http://www.kidfenris.com/guardheroescover.html see for yourself]).
=== Fighting Games ===
* Compared to [http://360.kombo.com/images/content/boxart/blazblue_360_box.jpg whatever North Americans got]{{Dead link}}, [https://web.archive.org/web/20130618024344/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/100112-blazblue-2.jpg the boxart] of the European ''[[BlazBlue]]'' seems to suggest a Noel [[Third-Person Shooter]] spinoff rather than a [[Fighting Game]], among things. The fact that the iconic title is merely featured as a background element with more emphasis put on a title written in a generic font doesn't help.
* 2D fighting classic ''[[Guilty Gear]]'' had 2 different covers for all their installments which got ported over the Pacific, most notably the Isuka installment: The [http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/919961-guilty-gear-isuka/images/box-96904 Japanese version] was rather KINKY (as in NSFW) with what apparently is a threesome(!) where a visibly flushed A.B.A. is seemingly getting double-penetrated in a sandwich between Ky Kiske (behind) and Sol Badguy (front), who are meanwhile completely ignoring her as they are engaged in a staring contest with each other (homoerotically charged full of [[Foe Yay]]). The [http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/919961-guilty-gear-isuka/images/box-57948 American version] on the other hand, was a rather generic image of Sol wielding his Fireseal sword in the style of a bazooka with the hilt pointed at you.
* Pit's (from ''[[Kid Icarus]]'') English voice in ''[[Super Smash Bros Brawl]]'' sounds noticeably older
** As for the actual cover art for the game, Kirby's facial expression was left alone in the U.S. version (contrary to the name of the trope) -- the [http://www.ssbwiki.com/File:SSBB-cover-japan.jpg bright, partly cloudy blue skies] were [http://www.ssbwiki.com/File:SSBB_Cover.jpg removed], on the other hand.
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=== Multiple ===
* [http://kidfenris.com/features.html The Gallery of Hideous Box Art] has a couple of examples for us to laugh at:
** '''[https://web.archive.org/web/20131016202817/http://www.kidfenris.com/astyanaxcover.html Inverted]''' with ''[[Astyanax]]''
*** On that note, one of [[Nintendo Power]]'s in-house artists did a much better job on making an accurate illustration based on the game while still producing a quality piece. [http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/227/astyanaxnp.jpg See for yourself].
** ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130605012141/http://www.kidfenris.com/clashcover.html Clash at Demonhead]''
** ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130509123349/http://www.kidfenris.com/evcover.html El Viento]''
** ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120806005626/http://www.kidfenris.com/skykidcover.html Sky Kid]'' (Note that the family-friendly furries became ''humans that blow stuff up''.)
** ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130604093133/http://www.kidfenris.com/tshootercover.html Trouble Shooter]''
** ''[[Valis]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20131106222447/http://www.kidfenris.com/valis3cover.html III]''... twice.
** ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130605114906/http://www.kidfenris.com/wurmcover.html Wurm]''
=== Pinball Games ===
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=== Platformers ===
* The [[Trope Namer]] here is ''[[Kirby]]''. [http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=407 The box art for many of his games] have had angry eyebrows added to the main character to make an 8-inch-high pink puffball seem more aggressive. This strange practice is joked on originally in [http://angryamericankirby.ytmnd.com/ this] [[YTMND]] and subsequently in [http://www.brawlinthefamily.com/?p=288 this] ''[[Brawl in the Family]]'' strip. It seems to have calmed for the time being with the release of ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]. Brawl'', ''[[Kirby Super Star]] Ultra'', and more recently,{{when}} ''[[Kirby's
** This practice is [[Older Than They Think]], too, as a ''Kirby's Dream Land 2'' commercial aired in the US turned Kirby, Rick, Kine, and Coo into [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqVVG4FCq7w scowling tough guys (or, you know, as tough as an 8-inch high puffball and his similarly-sized friends can be) roughhousing some Hell's Angels]. As well, compare the commercials for ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU6cHCkWqy8 Kirby's Dreamland]'' and ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL1okxuvGRQ Kirby's Adventure]'', to say nothing of [https://web.archive.org/web/20121021041938/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3152506 the magazine ad for Kirby's Avalanche and Kirby's Dream Course] (scroll down the page). "He used to be such a good boy."
*** Even older than ''that'', albeit to a lesser extent. Contrast the [http://images.wikia.com/kirby/en/images/0/0d/603710.jpg American box art]{{Dead link}} for the original ''Kirby's Dream Land'' to the [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100506155654/kirby/en/images/c/c9/KDLboxartjapan.png Japanese box art]{{Dead link}}. Yes, Kirby's still plenty happy in America...but he's ''white'', because it was thought that a soft, [[Pink Is for Sissies|pink character]] wouldn't appeal to American audiences.
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** On the ([[Fan Work|unofficial]]) extreme end of the scale, there is ''[[There Will Be Brawl]]'''s version of Kirby...
** ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' lampshaded this phenomenon in the May 2011 issue's highlight on Kirby, saying he puts on his "angry eyes" for the boxart.
*** As did IGN, when they launched a new feature comparing different box arts [https://web.archive.org/web/20120516143506/http://ds.ign.com/articles/119/1192766p1.html Kirby went first] specifically thanks to the series' use of the trope.
** Even the ''title'' of 2011's DS game seems to carry on in this tradition; known as ''Gather! Kirby'' in Japan, its English title is ''Kirby Mass Attack''. And to top it off, on the American boxart, nearly half of the Kirbies have angry faces... ''but the other half doesn't.'' This makes it... jarring, to say the least.
** ...and then ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]'' swings the pendulum right back around and [https://web.archive.org/web/20120118012659/http://wii.ign.com/articles/119/1193309p1.html gives him angry eyes again]. Contrast [http://www.famitsu.com/news/201109/images/00050121/oW46AxTddQaobbc9KREq9bx19p147sQO.jpg the Japanese boxart].
* ''[[Ristar]]'' originally only had angry eyebrows for boss fights; in the American version, they're present ''all the time''. The enemies, too, look mean instead of neutral in the American release.
** Which is particularly weird, since one of the game's strongest points was its attention to little circumstantial details. All over the place there would be tiny little additions that aided characterization and plot in the dialogue-less game, from Ristar's playing in the snow in the snow levels, to the swarms of little musical nuances on Planet Sonata. So you'd really think the localizers would have wanted every last little touch they could get at.
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** In ''[[Mega Man ZX]] Advent'', this cover is actually poked fun at in the American version. In the game, for a mission you are supposed to get a data disk, an in game item that can be looked at to see a picture and some information, for a kid who wants something with a hero on it. In the end of "talk to the people who SHOULD have one" you find out that the kid has the only data disk with anything close, the data disk with the American boxart of the original ''Mega Man''. The kid openly calls it weird, and not very heroic at all. You then get it to view at any time.
** Terrible Boxart Mega Man is so (in)famous that this is the version Capcom chooses to cameo in [[Capcom Versus Whatever|Street Fighter Versus Tekken]].
* An old [[NES]] game, ''Power Blade'' (originally ''Power Blazer'' in Japan) is an interesting early example. Read the article about it [https://web.archive.org/web/20131125152928/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/powerblade/powerblade.htm here.]
* ''[[Alisia Dragoon]]'', a fairly obscure Genesis game by [[Game Arts]], features a [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/image/586021.html?box=3311 pretty cover] in Japan, while the [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/image/586021.html?box=88170 Western boxart] is... well, cool-looking but [[Contemptible Cover|rather contemptible]].
* The original boxart for ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' gave us a fairly confident looking Sonic with a tasty palette of colors surrounding him. The US boxart gave him a chubbier redesign with a mohawk, the art has him posing for a 'tude expression, and they sprayed him with a coat of airbrush. Even the original members of Sonic Team said they [[Creator Backlash|despised this Americanized Sonic design.]]
** [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Dr. Eggman/Robotnik's]] classic design looked like a [https://web.archive.org/web/20181113135445/http://eggmanempire.sonicworld.net/downloads/images/official/classic/Eggman01_32.png happy spherical fellow] in the Japanese games. The American games made him a [https://web.archive.org/web/20150729184629/http://eggmanempire.sonicworld.net/downloads/images/official/soa/Spinball_eggman.png constantly scowling spherical fellow with... no eyes.] This isn't even taking into account the weird cartoon-based design they switched to for some of the [http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/gamegear/image/586810.html?box=83258 later boxart.]
** The EU covers went in and out with both the Japanese and American styles. Interestingly cases such as ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' ''[[Sonic Chaos]]'' actually used Japanese promo artwork not related the region's original cover.
*** The differences are probably best illustrated through the ''[[Sonic Shorts]] 5'' segment in which Dr. Robotnik from the American [[Sonic Sat AM|Saturday morning Sonic cartoon]] discovers Dr. Eggman from the Japanese ''[[Sonic X]]''.
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* ''[[Chameleon Twist]]'' was a charming, adorable game starring Davy, a chameleon transformed into a bubble-headed long-tongued chibi alien, and his friends. Its boxart is an interesting variation on this trope: ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145727/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/6/196896_41871_front.jpg The American boxart] shows Davy gobbling up foes with a cheery grin, while the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145628/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/6/196896_85015_front.jpg PAL version] shows him gobbling up foes with a look of death in his eyes. ''Chameleon Twist 2'', of course, played this trope straight for America and Europe—while Japanese buyers got the same [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145702/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/196897_14273_front.jpg adorable bubble-headed aliens] as before, the American and European versions swapped the colors of Davy and his friend Jack (I suppose the localizers thought green was a better "default color" for a lizard) and turned all four characters into grotesque anthropomorphized lizards with semi-realistic heads. Also compare the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145712/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/196897_41872_front.jpg US] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145618/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/196897_101070_front.jpg EU] boxart to see yet another cheerful-wrathful dichotomy.
* [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/19/BoinicCommandoRearmed2_boxart.png The box art] for ''[[Bionic Commando]] Rearmed 2'' seems to be a deliberate aversion of this trope, as the image of Spencer (with goofy smile and [[Porn Stache]] looking like he's about to give the viewer a hug) on the game's front cover can only be described as jarringly happy-go-lucky. Especially funny ([[Cerebus Syndrome|until you beat the game]]) when you compare it to the [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/Bionic_Commando.jpg cover art] to the 2009 game which ''Rearmed 2'' is a direct prequel to, which featured a goth-ified Spencer [[Penny Arcade|smouldering with generic rage]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090316073235/http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2008/07/rumors_cave_story_on_wiiware.html This] ''[[Cave Story]]'' mockup cover parodies this trend.
* The [http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CaptainSilver-SMS-JP-Front Japanese] and [http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CaptainSilver-SMS-EU-NoR European cover art] of ''[[Captain Silver]]'' for the [[Master System]] shows rather cartoon-like renditions of the game's protagonist and a few of the villains fighting on a pirate ship. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20180623184826/http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CaptainSilver-SMS-US-Front American cover art] shows a similar scene, only the protagonist is drawn more realistically and he's fighting the final boss ([[Antagonist Title|the titular Captain Silver]]) one-on-one.
* Not even ''[[Disney]]'' games were immune to this. The Genesis/Megadrive title ''[[Quackshot]]'' features a dynamic shot of a scowling [[Donald Duck]] baring his gun with a evil looking Pete plotting in the background. The Japanese cover features Donald and his nephews smiling at you with Pete throwing a comical tantrum behind them. Granted [[Grumpy Bear|Donald]] [[Hair-Trigger Temper|being Donald]] the Western cover might be considered more in-character.
* In some of the ''[[Bonk]]'' games, Bonk's second powerup form was changed. In the japanese verison he showed his love of [[Trademark Favorite Food|meat]] by turning into a doe-eyed version of himself who attacked with hearts. In the US version he was changed into a scowling form with a scar rather similar to the page image. Though his third form was hardcore in both versions.
* Data East USA gave the [[Irem]] game ''Kaiketsu Yanchamaru'' a [[Totally Radical]] makeover, turning it into ''Kid Niki: Radical Ninja''. Kid Niki was given spiky hair in-game, and the NES version got [https://web.archive.org/web/20131125174943/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/kidniki/kidniki.jpg a totally hardcore cover] (by contrast, the [http://www.retrogame-shop.com/shop/images/kaiketsu.jpg Famicom] cover is downright cartoonish).
* An example that seemingly has nothing to do with America: Namco's ''Legend of Valkyrie'' series is rarely seen outside of Japan, but one of the side games, ''Sandra's Great Adventure'', was released in Europe under the name ''Whirlo''. As part of the localization, the main character's in-game sprite was changed to give him angry eyes.
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=== Roguelike ===
* The [[Nintendo DS]] version of ''[[Shiren the Wanderer]]''. The original Japanese cover art (by former Capcom illustrator Akiman) is [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145741/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/3/925583_61404_front.jpg very nice], the Western one, [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145928/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/3/925583_94826_front.jpg well...]. Shiren looks like he's going to slit your throat or something. And what they did to poor [[Weasel Mascot|Koppa]] and [[Cute Bruiser|Oryu]] is ''just wrong''. Bad, bad Sega!
* Cult classic rpg/sim hybrid ''Azure Dreams'' for the PSX (which is basically ''[[Harvest Moon]]'' if the main character were a monster-tamer/treasure-hunter instead of a farmer/fisherman) had 2 different covers: The [https://web.archive.org/web/20131125171753/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/azuredreams/azuredreamsj.jpg Japanese version] was cute and emphasized the dating-sim/harem-romance aspects of the game (featuring all the girls - plus your kid sister and your sidekick - in the game you can eventually get via [[Tenchi Solution]]), while the [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/Azure_Dreams_Coverart.png American version] was scenic and emphasized the treasure-hunting/dungeon-crawling aspects of the game (the hero gazing at his hometown from a mountain cliff).
** Still, we got the Japanese box art as the cover for the manual (at least in the European version anyway), so not all bad.
=== Real-Time Strategy ===
* ''[[Pikmin]]'' has two covers. The Japanese image contains Pikmin just hanging out on a branch. The North-American and European cover image contains a battle. The same thing happened with the sequel, though Canada and Europe had a different, also peaceful cover.
* ''[[The Settlers]]'' European cover shows a cartoonish RTS city builder while the American Cover shows a rather stern looking lord in managing his kingdom/army [http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/gyrobot/1267035563970.png Comparisons here]. Upon further inspection, the American cover of the settler usually just features the armor clad knight on the cover while the other shows the other professions being as prominent. The subsequent one features a slightly more colorful boxart [https://web.archive.org/web/20111230095246/http://gamediv.com/Games/151/Main%20image.jpg seen here]
* The PSP version of ''[[Lemmings]]'' exhibits this trope. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145835/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/928435_72609_front.jpg Japanese box art] depicts a bunch of happy Lemmings in a happy, bright environment. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145623/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/928435_67503_front.jpg European box art] shows a crowd of Lemmings smiling at you. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145717/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/928435_74076_front.jpg American box art] depicts a more active scene, and has a slightly duller color scheme compared to the other boxes.
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*** The art shift also renders one character, though ostensibly wearing the same outfit, considerably more [[Stripperiffic]].
* While it's not a comparison between American and Japanese, looking at the boxart on the Xbox360 version of ''[[Eternal Sonata]]'' then looking at the [[Play Station 3]] version reveals that there were some drastic changes. The 360 version looks bright and innocent, with characters standing in a grassy meadow. The [[Play Station 3]] version has a darker background, and has the characters looking angry in various action poses.
* ''[[Guardian's Crusade]]''. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20191101192659/http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/guardians-crusade/box-japfront.jpg Japanese box art] is more colorful and rather whimsical in looks: showing Knight and Baby doing various activities you can do in the game, all the while looking dang adorable. The back cover is [https://web.archive.org/web/20051201184310/http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/guardians-crusade/box-japback.jpg even more cuter]. The [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9e/Guardian%27sCrusadeCover.jpg American version] is more generic in comparison. The game came out about a year and a half after ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', during that dark period when American game companies thought that [[RPG]]s that weren't dark and existential wouldn't sell.
* When ''[[Pokémon]]'' was being localized for America, a significant portion of people at Nintendo thought that the characters were [[It Will Never Catch On|too cute to sell well]], and tried to get all of the Pokémon redone for the states as muscle-bound humanoid Pro-Wrestling monsters. In other words, they wanted to turn Pikachu into [[Kinnikuman]].
** Compare the box-art of the [http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/1/19/PokemonYellowJapanese.png Japanese version]{{Dead link}} of Pokémon Yellow to the [http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/2/2b/Pokemon_Yellow_boxart.jpg American version]{{Dead link}}. Remarkably similar to the depiction of Kirby from Japan to America.
* ''[[The Last Remnant]]'''s Xbox 360 artwork depicted the young, typical ''[[Final Fantasy]]''-style androgynous male protagonist. The PC version, marketed to Western gamers, had a picture of an older, more badass antagonist, and a more energetic color scheme.
* ''[[Digital Devil Saga]]: Avatar Tuner'' arguably ''benefited'' from this phenomenon. The original box art for the two games depicted Serph/Varna and Sera/Varnani in static poses more reminiscent of action figures in a blister pack; the U.S. versions depict the exact same characters, but in more active poses. (Assuming, of course, you reverse the cover insert for the second game; the display box art depicts the entire cast in a battle scene, arguably embracing this trope in its entirety.) Though it's not like the game needed to be made any more hardcore, seeing as how it has plenty of demonic cannibalization anyway.
** While we're on the subject of ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'', just compare the original [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/megaten/jackbrosj.jpg Japanese cover] of [[Lighter and Softer]] spinoff ''Jack Bros.'' with [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/megaten/jackbros.jpg this... thing].
* Hardly uncommon in ''[[Tales (series)|Tales]]'' localizations:
** ''[[Tales of Eternia]]'' (or ''[[Writing Around Trademarks|Tales of Destiny II]]'') originally had [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/image/526350.html?box=53165 a smiling group shot], which was replaced by [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/image/526350.html?box=40641 a scene of Farah and Reid ready to battle]. The absence of everyone else is... intriguing.
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* The game ''[[Resonance of Fate]]'' has [http://www.ps3trophies.org/images/trophies/400/cover.jpg peaceful box art] with the [[Three Amigos|three protagonists]] looking upon a tower in its original Japanese release ''End of Eternity''. The [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c3/Resonance_of_Fate_Cover_Art.jpg US box art] is shown to have them on various action poses with [[Sean Connery Is About to Shoot You|their guns to the viewer]].
* In ''[[Fragile Dreams]]'' for the Wii, the English voices are closer to the age of the characters, around 14/15, while the Japanese voices make the characters sound younger. In addition, the box art, which was reversible in the American version, showed a vicious looking Seto holding a golf club on the American side, while the Japanese box art shows Seto and Ren holding hands over a watery background.
* Oh boy, ''[[
** On the flip side, this is why the young, pretty Vaan was added to ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]''. The original protagonist was supposed to be Basch. This is why Vaan has nearly no character development.
* The ''[[Wild ARMs]]'' series usually either retains the original cover art or replaces it by something that, while different, keeps the tone. Exceptions can be found in the first title ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145706/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/9/199299_14331_front.jpg J]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144036/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/9/199299_43279_front.jpg U]) and ''[[Wild ARMs 5]]'' ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145746/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/6/931326_72769_front.jpg J]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144105/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/6/931326_72466_front.jpg U]).
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=== Simulation Games ===
* There isn't much you can do to make peaceful series like ''[[Harvest Moon]]'' "hardcore" however many of the early western covers are more normal
* The game ''[[Princess
** Aksys learned their lesson afterward and released ''Rockin' Pretty'', which uses the same characters, [http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/image/954317.html with the artwork untouched.]
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* [http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kw03i8aShm1qzqgkn.jpg Here's] the Japanese boxart for ''[[Deadly Premonition]]'', which shows you exactly what to expect. [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Deadly_Premonition_cover_art.jpg This] is what was decided on for localization for some bizarre reason.
* ''[[Fatal Frame]]'''s [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144047/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/529305_27258_front.jpg original cover] has the main character lying serenely on the floor. The [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145821/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/529305_front.jpg American edition?] [[Floating Head Syndrome]]. The European cover decided to go the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145639/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/529305_54074_front.jpg middle route]. And this is more or less repeated for the Xbox special edition except Europe followed the North American one ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144021/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/562027_23322_front.jpg JP], [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145614/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/562027_front.jpg NA], [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144031/http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/562027_45210_front.jpg EU]).
** Miku's actual in-game model in the first game was altered to look slightly older and less schoolgirl-y [https://web.archive.org/web/20121018142030/http://www.cameraslens.com/fatalframewiki/index.php5?title=Miku%27s_Character_Design for the US release.]
* In ''[[Dino Crisis]]'', Regina's character model in CG artwork was modified. In the Japanese version, she had small lips and big anime-style eyes. In the western version, she was given smaller eyes and fuller lips.
** Both this and the ''Fatal Frame'' touch-up are to accommodate the very different concepts of sexiness that Americans and the Japanese generally hold (yup, cute can also be considered sexy in Japan).
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* Something akin to this trope occurred in ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]: The War of the Lions'', where Barrington's dialogue with Rafa on the Rooftop of Riovanes Castle was "punched up" to make it even ''more'' creepy and blatantly sexual. The original PSX version's translation instead ''very slightly'' [[Bowdlerization|downplayed that aspect.]]
==
* Most paintings by the infamous Handre de Jager from ''[[Something Awful]]'' mercilessly parody this trope. The artist himself stated that his initial inspiration was the aforementioned original American boxart for ''[[Mega Man (video game)|Mega Man]]''. Handre's works can be found throughout the Internet
▲* Astro Boy is known to be very cute and innocent. But when the 2003 anime was brought to America, most of the advertisement focused on the action scenes and his super hero side. The dubbing gave him a harsher and more snarky attitude as well. It also cut out most of Astro's cute child-like moments. To say nothing of the DVD boxset cover which is just his face looking absurdly angry.
▲* Even when it became [[Darker and Edgier]], the ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' franchise has always had a humorous, whimsical tone, summed up nicely by DBZ's [[Crazy Awesome]] Japanese theme tune, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtFMwF7CKGo&feature=related Cha-La Head Cha-La]". Its North American opening themes, on the other hand, have ranged from "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAshPnOKzSg Rock The Dragon]" to… [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O27PUI1veBg well, this]. Later English-language releases have either kept or translated the Japanese themes.
▲** When CNX ([[Cartoon Network]] UK's short-lived attempt at attracting the 15-35 male demographic) got the rights to show the original ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', the [[The Ocean Group|Canadian-dubbed]] episodes they acquired featured [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVrVTinOsBw a cheerful kid-focused opening theme]. Fearing ridicule from their target audience, a new opening with more action-packed scenes from the show was thrown together, complete with [[Kung Foley]] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBkVLTHy_2c a remixed theme]. (Though the Canadian themes were accidentally shown on occasion.)
▲** The terrible French dub (And the many other dubs that translated from it) inverted this trope by giving ''Z'' a super-happy OP about Gohan. Saying it invokes [[Mood Whiplash]] would be falling short.
▲** In a variation, the European Spanish dub of ''Cha-La Head-Cha-La'' keeps the music but changes the comedy lyrics to standard "We'll beat up the villains" fare, which is more this trope.
▲* Nelvana's infamous [[Macekre]] English dub of ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]'', while not exactly "hardcore," considerably downplayed the [[Shojo]] cuteness of the original, essentially trying to change it into [[Shonen]] (even changing the show's name to just ''Cardcaptors'', presumably to downplay the fact that the main character is a girl, and cutting out the first seven episodes, which take place before Sakura's male rival Syaoran is introduced). The original opening theme was replaced with a more histrionic rock song, Sakura and her friends sounded more like teenagers than elementary schoolers, and perhaps most egregiously of all, Kero was given a [[Totally Radical]] dudebro voice and his characterization was changed to be more like a comedic foil sidekick akin to Mushu from ''[[Mulan]]''. As a result, the English dub had a completely different feel from the Japanese original, and anyone who's seen the latter would be able to spot the dub's attempts to turn the show into something quite different from what it was originally.
▲* The same thing was done for ''[[Vision of Escaflowne]]'' to make it more hardcore they removed THE ENTIRE FIRST EPISODE because it focused too much on romance leaving many American fans confused as to what was happening. The show was eventually cancelled while the Canadian dub which kept the first episode finished its entire run.
▲* Some of the dub voices in ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]''. Most notably is Russia, who had a higher-pitched, cuter, somewhat happier voice in the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5uWmMImOf0 Japanese] version, and a deeper, gruffer voice in the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoeCZf9zc1A&feature=relmfu English dub]. It's left up to the watchers to determine whether this was done to better fit the [[Husky Russkie|stereotype]] or to defuse some of the [[Cute and Psycho|horror]].
▲* ''[[Madoka Magica]]'' was released as 6 two-episode boxsets in Japan, with [http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Madoka_Magica_Products#Blu-Ray_Discs different boxarts for each.] Three of the boxarts show characters looking happy and/or cute, two are relatively neutral, and one has a very dark and angsty mood to it. The U.S. release was 3 four-episode boxsets, and used three of the existing boxart pictures. [[Foregone Conclusion|To the surprise of no one]], they chose the two neutral ones (the first and last) and the angsty one (number four). {{spoiler|This may be somewhat justified given the nature of the series, but still...}}
▲* American edition of [[Graphic Novel]] ''[[Marzi]]'' looks like [http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/comics/?cm=20192 this], while the original looks like [http://www.komiks.gildia.pl/komiksy/marzi/1,okladka this].
▲* This is more a case of Modern [[DC Comics]] Is Hardcore, but check out [http://www.dccomics.com/dccomics/comics/?cm=9971 the cover] of a recent trade paperback they put out. Now [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superboy_Vol_1_76 take] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superman_Vol_1_138 a] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120922132410/http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Flash_Vol_1_127 look] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Detective_Comics_Vol_1_339 at] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Hawkman_Vol_1_16 some] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Wonder_Woman_Vol_1_170 of] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Strange_Adventures_Vol_1_201 the] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Shazam_Vol_1_9 original] [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Detective_Comics_Vol_1_482 covers...]
▲=== Literature ===
▲* The ''[[Redwall]]'' series has produced a lot of covers over the years, ranging from cartoonish to realistic, from gritty and abstract to epic and clear-drawn. Although every country's publications had their own different variations of all ends of the scale, there are some pretty standard levels for their home country (which may not least be due to the artists themselves):
▲** Original British covers are realistic and colourfully objective. [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070305185353/redwall/images/e/e2/UKsalahc.jpg Here] and [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100822163904/redwall/images/1/1f/Marlfox.jpg here].
▲** American Covers are similarly colourful but almost constantly more epical playing this trope completely straight ([http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090107071359/redwall/images/d/d4/MTWHardcover.jpg here] and [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060211193954/redwall/images/d/d1/PearlsOfLutraFirebird.jpg here]). But their chapter illustrations are either rather cartoonish and abstract ([http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051015005927/redwall/images/c/c7/Mattimeo.jpg here]) or beautifully copper/plated ([http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080229101223/redwall/images/1/11/Samkim2.PNG here]).
▲** French covers are sometimes kept in pseudo-3d-rendering, both gritty and abstract (perhaps even downright disturbing). Just look at those rotoscopes of humans with animals' heads ([http://redwall.wikia.com/wiki/File:Mf-france-vol1.jpg here] and [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081013043918/redwall/images/e/ea/FrenchSalamandastronVol4.gif here]).
▲** Russian Covers are rather realistic and incredibly detailed in both physique and attire. ([http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090518033604/redwall/images/3/33/Ruslp.jpg here] and ([http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080303014311/redwall/images/b/b0/Russianrthc.jpg here)]
▲** Israeli Covers are... interestingly cartoonish ([http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110319140234/redwall/images/f/f5/Hebrewredwall.jpg here] and [http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110319142123/redwall/images/c/c2/Redwisraelchar1.jpg here]).
▲** German covers stay usually on one level with the British ones ([http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060105082731/redwall/images/4/4f/Matti-german.jpg like here]), but have quite some... unnerving exceptions ([http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060106055125/redwall/images/f/f9/GermanMossflower2.jpg here] and [http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080422054506/redwall/images/3/37/Redwallaudio1995.jpg here]). [[Uncanny Valley]] ahead.
▲* More like "Russian ''[[Warrior Cats|Warriors]]'' is Hardcore". Compare [https://web.archive.org/web/20110408185917/http://www.warriorswish.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=2&fullsize=1 this] to [https://web.archive.org/web/20110408185934/http://www.warriorswish.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=35&fullsize=1 this]. There's a lot more where that came from: The title translation is also subject to this having been translated as ''Raging Storm'' rather then ''Rising Storm''. Also, the French title for ''Fire and Ice'' roughly means ''In Fire and In Blood''.
▲** Inverted with the Japanese covers. The Japanese [http://i25.tinypic.com/v75dls.jpg cover] for ''The Darkest Hour'', which is probably the most carnage-tastic book in the series, is of [[Covers Always Lie|two fluffy kitties smiling]].
▲* To ensure that it sells with the mainstream crowd, Yen Press [[Executive Meddling|was told by distributors]] that (the first volume) American ''[[Spice and Wolf]]'' is [[Contemptible Cover|Trashy]] and Realistic. It didn't go well, so the original art was used from the second volume onwards.
▲* The [[Tortall Universe|Protector of the Small]] quartet has [https://web.archive.org/web/20130508121416/http://tamorapierce.wikia.com/wiki/The_Protector_of_the_Small_covers different covers] in the US and the UK. American [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080615175435/tamorapierce/images/thumb/7/79/Squire.jpg/102px-Squire.jpg Squire] has Keladry of Mindelan holding a baby griffin and looking at the viewer with a faint smile; [http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100109210651/tamorapierce/images/thumb/2/22/Squire_uk_paperback.jpg/123px-Squire_uk_paperback.jpg in the UK] she's looking at it and smiling more broadly. US [http://tamorapierce.wikia.com/wiki/File:Lady_Knight.jpg Lady Knight] has her staring at us with a hostile expression; in the UK she [http://tamorapierce.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ladyknightuk.jpg looks to the side] and seems more hopeful. Notably, although three books out of the trilogy have different artwork, they all feature the same subject, just interpreted differently.
▲* Peter Grant is way macho in the [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f50VvY-dR9k/TTFXfCPOleI/AAAAAAAAAU0/8SuxsbjJmo0/s1600/9780345524256.jpg US cover] of [[Midnight Riot]]/[[Rivers of London]] compared to the restrained 'arty' look of the [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f50VvY-dR9k/TSl06w6CaTI/AAAAAAAAAUc/7STCe6nzULE/s1600/riverscover_.jpg British cover]. Also note that Peter Grant, who in the books is described as a slender mixed race young man who by his own admission looks more North African, has metamorphosed into a [[Scary Black Man]]. And as a [[British Coppers|British Copper]], he'd better have signed for that gun.
▲=== Music ===
▲* The original cover art for Japanese [[Doom Metal]] band Boris' album ''Smile'' is [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Borissmile.jpg cute]. The American release's cover is [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Boris-smileus.jpg edgy].
▲* An inversion occurred when [[Within Temptation]]'s album ''The Unforgiving'' made it to Japan...and the gothed-up [[Sharon Den Adel]] cover was replaced by one with a busty, [[Moe]] [[Meganekko]] schoolgirl waggling her finger at the buyer.
▲* Most paintings by the infamous Handre de Jager from [[Something Awful]] mercilessly parody this trope. The artist himself stated that his initial inspiration was the aforementioned original American boxart for ''[[Mega Man (video game)|Mega Man]]''. Handre's works can be found throughout the Internet; and you can purchase some of them here: (Not safe for work). Be warned, they're disgusting and scary.
* While not an actual example of this trope, honorable mention must be given to [[There Will Be Brawl]], for portraying Kirby as scary.
* Inverted for ''[[Transformers Animated]]'''s debut in Japan. In order to turn it into a prequel to the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movies]] ([[Lying Creator|or so we thought]]), among other things, a new logo looking almost exactly like the film logos was comissioned, [http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/TF-animated/ which practically clashes with the show's cartoony art style]. And to think that Japan once played this straight with ''[[Transformers]]'' by [[Gag Dub|gag dubbing]] the edgy ''[[Beast Wars]]''... (Though there might be a reason as to the shift in attitude --- see the ''Transformers'' films' entries on [[Germans Love David Hasselhoff]]).
** Just to be clear, this is not the first time that Japan has made Americans very confused about the continuity choices the Japanese side makes.
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* ''[[Oban Star Racers]]'' had a mixed french/japanese J-pop opening theme in France, Great Britain & Japan. The US got a generic rock song called "Never say Never" ([[I Thought It Meant|No, not]] [[Justin Bieber|that one]])
* [http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/07/13/real-touhou-art-terrible-to-behold/ These box arts] for ''[[Touhou]]'' merchandise are in the same parody league as Handre's art. ...we hope. NSFW link, by the way.
* Back in the '80s Japan got some special ''[[My Little Pony]]'' toys which were supposed to be even cuter than the normal ones, called [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdfAoE9__g&feature=player_embedded Osharena Pony].
* The artists who design Polish [[Film Posters]] are famous for adding a bit of edginess, even if the original poster was already a bit edgy. Check out the poster for [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s [[Vertigo]] as [http://www.vinmag.com/online/media/gbu0/prodlg/AP750-vertigo-hitchcock-cieslewicz-polish-movie-poster-1963.jpg as it appeared in Poland]{{Dead link}} compared to [http://www.cinemasterpieces.com/92010a/vertigonov10.jpg the original.]
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[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:The Nineties]]
[[Category:Kawaisa]]
[[Category:Localization Tropes]]
[[Category:Videogame Culture]]
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