Pragmata scene where Diana spins a globe is actually a reference to bizarre Japanese comedy act that “definitely doesn’t make sense to Western players”

In a recent viral post, Japanese players pointed out that a visual gag in Pragmata where Diana spins a globe is actually a nod to comedian Gorgeous.

As you progress through the Cradle in Pragmata, you will inevitably come across REMs (Read Earth Memories) – blue collectible holograms that can be given to Diana in the Shelter to recreate items from Earth. The very first REM you collect is for a globe, which Diana promptly spins once you manage to repair it. While this gesture may seem inconsequential to players outside of Japan, one keen-eyed domestic X user noticed that Diana’s cute animation might have been a clever nod to the Japanese comedian Gorgeous (ゴー☆ジャス), prompting other Japanese users to spot the reference.

Post translation:

It’s so over-the-top “Gorgeous” that it’s funny, but the fact that it’s aimed at a Japanese audience, and that people overseas won’t really get it is also hilarious lol

Gorgeous, who dresses up as a space pirate, has a popular routine about being stranded on a snowy mountain with a companion. Just as the companion is about to succumb to the cold and fall asleep, Gorgeous repeatedly shouts “mada tasukaru” (roughly translated as “we can still make it”) before taking out a globe (which he often carries), shouting “Madagascar” and boldly pointing at the country to showcase the wordplay at hand.

Though Diana doesn’t explicitly mention Madagascar in Pragmata (she lists Venezuela, Malaysia, and Denmark), the act of rapidly spinning the globe and pointing at roughly the same spot where Madagascar can be found  is a clear reference to Gorgeous’s act. Diana’s comically determined expression just after pointing at the globe hints that there is more to this bit than players first realize.

Post translation:

The globe has arrived! Spin it round and round. Then point to Madagascar with your finger. I really want everyone to try Pragmata and experience it for themselves!

It seems like Gorgeous himself knows about the reference and has been playing Pragmata since launch while encouraging others to do the same. Given that the globe is pretty much unmissable (acquiring it is part of the main story), he hopes everyone will enjoy asking Diana to spin the globe for themselves.

Pragmata is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam), with a Nintendo Switch 2 version launching on April 24.

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Carlos "Zoto" Zotomayor
Carlos "Zoto" Zotomayor

Automaton West writer. Zoto has been playing video games for 30+ years now but has only recently come to grips with PC gaming. When he isn't playing video games, he watches romance anime and gets mad when his best girl never wins.

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