Happy 16th of September!

For a few hours at least its still September 16th, the day Mexico officially celebrates 199 years of "independence". I wont get into the specifics of why thats not technically right, why the country still technically isn't independent but thats neither here nor there. The cult of nationalism that is so pervasive across the globe is certainly present in Mexico so if it wants to have a celebration then by all means.

Like I did with the 4th of July post here's a character that represents the entire country of Mexico, its culture, its people and...ok thats not true. But according to my sources Angel (from King of Fighters) is from Mexico. This is pretty innovative, traditionally Mexican characters have not only been male but they've specifically been male luchadors. Here SNK gives us a female character that doesn't even look like what one thinks of when considering a Mexican female.

I'm not gonna fight it, not because the character has sex appeal but rather because it shows how SNK really gets that Mexico is a big market and strives to appeal to it. Look capitalism being what it is its always important to find new markets, Mexico is right there, it has a substantial and powerful bourgeois minority who can buy your games and lower classes who can afford to play at the arcades. Why not appeal directly to both those markets?

Angel's design is a huge step forward in the ongoing battle against national stereotypes. Sure stereotypes might be a real time saver but its good to mix up sometimes.