Japan has been preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for several years, an event that promised to be fantastic for sports lovers and the Japanese world. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has messed up the organization’s plans and postponed them to 2021. This did not dispel certain controversies about the event.
Japan is actually going through a difficult period with infections and the delta variant exploit of Covid-19 has not helped in dealing with the virus. As a result, some marginalized groups of the public are voicing various criticisms of the continuation of the Tokyo Olympics organization and are also rebelling against the choice to use some of the typical phrases of some anime characters. As was known, Japan actually used some mascots, such as: Goku, Astroboy, Sailor Moon and many other characters who sponsor the Olympics, but according to some, using them in this context would be against the moral code of these characters.
Tezuka Productions reacts to this criticism with the words of Executive Rumiko Tezuka (daughter of Osamu). The contract they signed with the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games dates back to a few years ago when no one could imagine the arrival of the coronavirus and the postponement of the Olympic Games. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Games in Tokyo, but the current situation seems to have divided public opinion on whether or not to continue the event. From a commercial perspective, however, Astroboy will continue to participate as a member of the cheer team. This is because it reflects the agreed role i.e. to support all participating athleteswithout entering into the study of the situation outside the Olympic disciplines.
Rumiko Tezuka therefore asked not to include anime characters in the diatribe about the cancellation of the Olympic Games. But even that message was not criticized, particularly the phrase “the business perspective” which seems to have angered some people. Rumiko Tezuka said himself anyway impressed by the positive feelings the audience has towards the protagonist of Astroboy.
Meanwhile less than a month until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics open, with the opening ceremony for Friday, July 23, 2021.
