The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been, to put it mildly, a chaotic affair. With limited lottery allocations and overwhelming demand, even after the fourth round of lottery results were announced recently, social media remains flooded with the lamentations of countless unlucky fans.
Enter Shoko Nakagawa, the multi-talented host, actress, singer, and voice actress. She recently posted an unboxing video of the Nintendo Switch 2 on her personal YouTube channel, but the packaging immediately raised eyebrows, leading netizens to accuse her of potentially buying from a scalper. The controversy blew up, forcing her to issue a clarification that, unfortunately, did little to quell the public's suspicions.
The whole kerfuffle kicked off when the gossip-focused X account Livedoor News (@aigare01) pointed out some red flags. In Nakagawa's unboxing video, as she unwrapped the Switch 2 from its bubble wrap, it "clearly didn't look like a shipment from an official retailer or major electronics store." Instead, it "seemed like something bought from a reseller." The account further questioned why a receipt was simply bundled inside the packaging, speculating, "This must be from Mercari, right?"
While the unboxing video had been live for a few days, it was soon discovered that Nakagawa had disabled comments. The original flood of comments questioning her source mysteriously vanished, only fueling further suspicion.
Adding insult to injury, netizens recalled that Shoko Nakagawa had previously appeared on a TV show where she vocally criticized the rampant reselling issues. Now, to be seen allegedly buying a resold Switch 2 herself, struck many as particularly ironic.
In response, Nakagawa posted a clarification on June 15, stating: "It's truly heartbreaking to be constantly subjected to baseless speculation and conclusions. I didn't want to touch on this topic, but I absolutely did not buy the Switch 2 from a reseller or a second-hand marketplace. All the information being spread is false, and I'm deeply saddened by it."
Today (June 17), a Japanese media outlet reached out to her agency for comment. Their response was as follows: "This console was purchased by one of Ms. Nakagawa's friends through a lottery at a major electronics chain. As Ms. Nakagawa is pregnant, it was given to her as a congratulatory gift. Her initial exclamation in the video, 'I bought it!', may have caused a misunderstanding, and we sincerely apologize for that."
"Regarding the receipt and warranty card seen in the video, they were included in the packaging by her friend. We assure everyone that this console was absolutely not purchased from any second-hand auction site or high-priced resale platform. Ms. Nakagawa herself also issued a statement through her agency, saying, 'I am truly sorry for causing such trouble.'"
However, this explanation didn't sit well with netizens. Many found it highly implausible that a friend giving a gift would include the purchase receipt in the packaging, dismissing it as an attempt to pull the wool over their eyes. Some even questioned, "If Shoko Nakagawa had won it in a lottery, given her personality, she would have bragged about it on social media immediately, wouldn't she?" For her unboxing to ignite such a firestorm, they concluded, was hardly surprising.
While the lottery system has left many without a Switch 2, there's also a segment of the population willing to pay a premium for "guaranteed" immediate access. Nakagawa's situation, blowing up as it has, likely stems not only from public anger towards scalpers but also from the higher scrutiny celebrities face. As for whether her explanation holds water, perhaps only further clarification from her will truly settle the debate.