3. Bob the Builder Got The Finger in Japan
When shows make it big, they’re often shipped off to other countries and given minor tweaks for linguistic and cultural differences before hitting the screen. Like most animated characters in the west, Bob the Builder has four fingers because it makes animation easier, but his anatomy raised red flags in Japan.
Japanese networks asked Bob to get an extra finger because having four fingers in Japan is often associated with being involved in the Yakuza, or organized crime, where members sacrifice a pinky as an oath of commitment. They didn’t want Bob to scare off children with his mob-like hands. The show went ahead unaltered, while some merchandise was given a fifth finger.