Japan’s next Splatoon splatfest is pretty philosophical

Hana yori Dango

Whenever Japan holds a Splatfest on Nintendo’s shooter Splatoon 2, it is often quite reflective of Japanese culture, food or fashion. This next face-off, announced recently, is certainly no exception.

On March 3, players will battle it out over which is better: Hana (flowers) or Dango (Dumplings). Pearl will be rocking Team Hana, while Marina, fresh off of her recent victory, will be fighting in the corner of Team Dango.

According to Reddit user “frozenpandaman” this battle is in reference to a popular Japanese phrase: “Hana yori Dango”, Dumpling over Flowers. This is essentially referencing those who prefer the practical over the aesthetic. The term was initially coined in reference to people who go to Hanami (flower-gazing) events but instead just rush to the food trucks to stuff themselves with grub, rather than taking in the beauty of their surroundings.

Essentially, Team Flower represents beauty, the artistic or aesthetics, whereas Team Dumpling is more of pragmatism, needs or base desires. Given such definitions, I find it odd that Marina is linked with the latter and Pearl with the former. Perhaps recent events have given Pearl cause to reflect on how hollow her pursuit of the almighty dollar is?

The Hana vs Dango splatfest takes place in Splatoon 2 on March 3 at 15:00 JST.

フェスの開催が告げられた。
お題は「どっちを選ぶ？ 花 vs 団子」。
期間は3月3日（土）15:00～3月4日（日）15:00。
「花より団子」は、風流よりも実益を重んじるという意味の諺だ。
美しい花を愛でるか、ごちそうに舌鼓を打つか。
あなたが重視するのはどっち？ pic.twitter.com/qg3vd1KELJ

— Splatoon（スプラトゥーン） (@SplatoonJP) February 24, 2018