Ready for a jaw-dropping story about the anime "Oshi no Ko" and a recent controversy surrounding its storyline. Brace yourself for some unexpected twists and turns!

A Controversial Arc and Haunting Similarities

Just a few days ago, a controversy erupted in Japan regarding the latest story arc in the anime adaptation of "Oshi no Ko" In this tale, Aqua Hoshino, a participant in a reality show, unintentionally harms one of her fellow contestants, Akane Kurokawa, who was desperately trying to make a mark on television. As a result, Aqua faces an onslaught of criticism and hateful comments on social media, pushing her to the brink of suicide. Shocking, right?

Now here's where things get really eerie. Fans noticed striking similarities between this storyline and a real-life tragedy that unfolded in 2020. It involved the suicide of Hana Kimura, a professional wrestler who went through the exact same situation. Hana found herself in trouble with another participant on a reality show she was part of, and the onslaught of hateful comments on social media eventually led her to take her own life.

It's undeniably a chilling parallel.

Oshi no Ko

Coincidence or Inspiration?

In the original manga of "Oshi no Ko" this particular arc started with Chapter 21, published on October 15, 2020, in the Weekly Young Jump. That's five months after Hana Kimura's suicide, which was reported on May 23, 2020. The timing alone reinforces the theory that Aka Akasaka, the manga's writer, drew inspiration from this tragic event. However, fans discovered that this accusation wasn't the first time the author faced such claims. Akasaka had previously commented on the matter in a prior interview.

In a September 2021 interview with the publication Kai-You Premium, Akasaka himself stated that the similarities between the storyline and Kimura's suicide were "purely coincidental" During the interview, Akasaka had a conversation with musician Masayoshi Oishi, and they touched upon this situation:

Masayoshi Oishi: The portrayal of love feels so real, but the documentary-like feel is so convincing that it makes you think these things happen in real life in the entertainment industry. The depiction of a romantic reality show is spot-on, and the behind-the-scenes idol festival scene feels so authentic that I wonder how much research went into it.

In the end, I can't help but think if there's any drama more interesting than reality. Moreover, it tackles contemporary issues like online slander, and it was also happening amidst similar incidents in real life, so it felt quite aggressive.

Aka Akasaka: That was a story I had decided to write even before starting the manga, so it was purely coincidental that something similar happened at the same time.

Masayoshi Oishi: But the dangers of social media and how to maintain one's mental well-being when facing hate comments are things that need careful consideration. Seeing that you were quick to raise awareness by portraying them in your work makes me think that your antennas and ideas are incredibly sharp. I believe the best thing about "Oshi no Ko" is that it strikes at the heart of these issues. It's not just a manga about love or entertainment.

Conclusion

Is it true that it was all just a coincidence? Or could it be a rather convenient excuse for the author to avoid criticism? Ultimately, it's up to the fans to form their own opinions. Even though the author claims otherwise, the coincidence is too strong, both in terms of timing and the nature of the events, to dismiss any potential inspiration from the industry's turmoil in 2020.

Source: Yaraon!"

About the Author

Sweety Otaku

One of the best parts of watching anime is how many times a show can surprise you. Sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. But if the Otaku know one thing, it's that anything is possible.

View All Articles