Capcom's upcoming game Pragmata is filled with charming interactions between the characters Diana and Hugh, but players have recently uncovered a clever Japanese comedy reference tied to a specific collectible. In the game, you alternate between playing as Hugh, a space mercenary, and his android companion, Pragmata D-I-0336-7, nicknamed Diana, as they attempt to flee a lunar base controlled by a hostile AI. While exploring, you can gather REMs (Read Earth Memories), which are 3D holograms of Earth items that Diana uses to decorate the Shelter.
The first REM you encounter is a globe, and this item includes a subtle joke that Japanese-speaking fans on X have highlighted, as noted by Automaton. One commenter remarked, 'It's so extravagantly beautiful it's funny, but it's also amusing because international players might miss the humor, as it's tailored for a Japanese audience.'
Diana's playful globe-spinning action references a famous sketch by Gorgeous, a Japanese comedian known for his space pirate persona. In the skit, Gorgeous pretends to be stranded on a mountain, trying to revive a freezing companion by shaking them while saying 'mada tasukaru' (meaning 'we can still be saved'). He then spins a globe dramatically, points to Madagascar, and exclaims 'Madagascar!'—a pun since 'Madagasukaru' in Japanese sounds similar to 'mada tasukaru', serving as the joke's punchline.
Gorgeous himself acknowledged this reference in a tweet, sharing a clip of Diana with the globe and encouraging fans to try Pragmata to see it firsthand. Players who pay close attention will notice that after Diana spins the globe, her finger lands precisely on Madagascar's location, evoking the comedian's iconic line for those in the know.
Beyond this Easter egg, Gorgeous is an avid gamer with a popular YouTube channel, where he covers titles like Koei Tecmo's Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake, classic Castlevania games, and Resident Evil Requiem. He also has ties to Capcom, having livestreamed Monster Hunter Wilds and starred in promotional videos for the series, making his nod in Pragmata a delightful insider joke for Japanese audiences.
This isn't the first time a Japanese game has embedded a local comedy reference; for instance, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach included a tribute to the comedy group The Drifters in a hot spring scene, showing a trend of domestic humor in gaming.
