Animals, not Robots: How a Fox Became Space Hero

Shigeru Miyamoto had a clear vision for the new Star Fox game: something fresh, not another copy of popular sci‑fi tropes like Star Wars or Gundam.
Instead of a human pilot, he chose an animal lead. “We need our own original science fiction,” he said.

The idea sprang from a blend of local culture and simple fun. A nearby shrine and a baseball team named Inari Fox inspired the choice of a fox character.

The game’s writer, Mitsuhiro Takano, added that the other crew members were drawn from folklore. A rabbit and a pheasant became Peppy and Falco, while a frog was Slippy.

At first, people suggested robots would look cooler, but Miyamoto felt the field was already crowded with robot heroes. By picking animals, Star Fox stood out, and the team’s unique characters later became fan favorites—appearing in other Nintendo titles like Super Smash Bros.

The decision shows that originality can come from simple, everyday ideas.