For The Mary Sue, Princess Weekes lamented the lack of choice for Black hair when customising characters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:
At the start of the game, you get to choose your look. I went to the brownest option (still no true dark-skinned rep) and went to my haircut. Of the 19 options for hair, there are only three Black styles: cornrows, side fade (and really anyone can get a side fade, but you know it’s getting it right that is important), and short dreadlocks.
[…] The problem is that it is a limiting idea of what Black hair looks like, and as a Black player who has been playing these games for … well, most of my life, I know they can do better. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, I got a great look for my character with updo braids.
When I chose my hair style for Sword/Shield, I opted for the short shaped cut (a number 1 to those who know). That option wasn’t there in Scarlet/Violet. In fact, no close-to-bald hairstyles were available. Their idea of a short cut looked like a matted spider quilt, so I opted for the short hi-top which, unfortunately, doesn’t go with any hat other than a bucket hat.
I agree with Princess’s points on the lack of Black hair options and the fact that Game Freak could have done a lot better. They spent time to make more diverse body models for main characters and NPCs, why not diverse hairstyles that aren’t just straight variations? And why can’t I get a number one when I go to the Poké barber?
