Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters is back to normal after replacing N that blew away in typhoon

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Casey Baseel

Nintendo just isn’t the Big N without its actual big N.

In terms of their atmosphere and popular images, Osaka and Kyoto seem worlds apart. Osaka is home to loud fashions, zany comedians, and filling fare like takoyaki, whereas Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan’s elegant traditional arts and refined kaiseki cuisine.

And yet, the two cities are remarkably close to each other, separated by just about 55 kilometers (34 miles), a distance that you can cover by train in less than 30 minutes. So when Typhoon Jebi hit Osaka earlier this month, the storm also affected Kyoto, with some high-profile damage occurring at the headquarters of video game publisher Nintendo.

Le N du logo de Nintendo est tombé du siège social à Kyoto à cause du typhon d'hier. The N of the logo at Nintendo'… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Florent Gorges (@FlorentGorgesFR) September 05, 2018

The Nintendo building, which is ironically iconic despite its drab facade, had its N blown away in the typhoon, transforming the pioneering game company into “intendo.” While giving your company a name that begins with a lowercase i is all well and good for a flash-in-the-pan 21st century tech startup, it simply won’t do for an organization with such a rich history, not to mention worldwide name-recognition and brand loyalty, as Nintendo. So with the winds having quieted, this week repair crews got to work patching up the landmark signage.

台風の被害を受けてintendo(インテンドー)と化してしまった任天堂本社の看板、今現在誠意修復中のようです がんばって・・・ https://t.co/KCXnNraXRh

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風翠のぽよすがさん、行動制限を考える (@k64ssMariLuiysg) September 16, 2018

任天堂本社いってみたら台風で壊れた「N」の看板がまさかの修復工事中だった…！ある意味二度と見れない貴重な瞬間かもしれないので写真におさめておく。。 https://t.co/10YAZ9nAdt

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Kewn (@Kewn_Miiverse) September 16, 2018

On Sunday morning, a work crew was seen in a compartment suspended from the roof of the building attaching a new N to the wall. First came the framework…

ここから去ろうとした時に撮ったらNの枠組みが完成してひとまず「Nintendo」には戻ってました あと一息ですな https://t.co/uD52jPolca

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風翠ヨスガ→回=回=マリオ (@k64ssMariLuiysg) September 16, 2018

…and by evening the letter was restored, giving the Big N its big N back.

「N」修復完了の瞬間 夕方までおつかれさまでした https://t.co/9ZCoWQ64aN

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Kewn (@Kewn_Miiverse) September 16, 2018

While they were at it, the maintenance workers also inspected the letters which had weathered the storm, making sure they were undamaged and securely fastened.

その後一度「intendo」に戻ってるという話を聞いて帰る前にもう一度来てみたら今現在完全に「N」が復活して「Nintendo」になってました 念の為他の文字もメンテナンスしているっぽい感じです https://t.co/8Ncpx4c4bI

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風翠のぽよすがさん、行動制限を考える (@k64ssMariLuiysg) September 16, 2018

来ましたッッ聖地巡礼ッッッ‼️‼️ 任天堂本社〜〜ありがたや〜〜🙏✨✨✨ https://t.co/2OlW1ozrg4

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ましろあん (@kryagamct) September 18, 2018

Hopefully the new N will enjoy a long, healthy life, and Nintendo can get back to limiting its destruction-related activities to fan-pleasing smashing.

Source: Hachima Kiko
Featured image: Twitter/@k64ssMariLuiysg