Have you heard about the intense controversy surrounding the anime adaptation of Oshi no Ko? It’s been causing quite a stir, and I couldn’t help but dive into the details. So, here’s the scoop!
First things first, let me fill you in on the backstory. You see, the incident of “almost-suicide” involving Akane Kurokawa in Oshi no Ko is actually based on a real-life story. It’s inspired by the tragic incident that led to the suicide of professional wrestler Hana Kimura back in 2020. But here’s the kicker: it seems that the portrayal of this story in Oshi no Ko wasn’t communicated to Hana Kimura’s mother, who expressed her harsh criticism towards the production.
Now, according to Myjitsu, Oshi no Ko has been gaining attention as one of the top anime series of the current season. However, the content of its sixth episode, which aired on May 17, has stirred up controversy on the internet due to its connection with Hana Kimura’s suicide following the infamous “Terrace House Tokyo Incident“
Let me give you a quick rundown of the storyline in Oshi no Ko. It revolves around Aqua Hoshino, the child of a charismatic idol, and seeks to shed light on the darker side of the entertainment industry in Japan. In the sixth episode, Aqua continues her participation in a reality show where the goal is to find love among a group of young individuals.
One of the contestants, Akane Kurokawa, tries to make an impression on the audience but accidentally ends up injuring another girl. This unfortunate event leads to a flood of cruel comments on social media, pushing Akane to the brink of suicide. It’s a heart-wrenching portrayal of the consequences of cyberbullying.
Naturally, this episode received a lot of praise from Oshi no Ko fans who were already familiar with the story from its original manga. But some people realized that it was based on a real-life incident—the Terrace House Tokyo Incident. The similarity was uncanny: a reality show participant wanting to take their own life after receiving a wave of negative comments on social media, just like what happened to Hana Kimura in 2020.
And boy, did the controversy reach the ears of Kyoko Kimura, Hana Kimura’s mother! She took to her own Twitter account to criticize the production for creating a story based on the Terrace House Tokyo Incident, which ultimately led to her daughter’s suicide. She questioned why they couldn’t consider the feelings of those who loved Hana and how this portrayal would affect them. Kyoko also pointed out that the episode aired so close to the anniversary of Hana Kimura’s passing, which added insult to injury.
According to Kyoko, the content shown in the Oshi no Ko episode not only resembled the Terrace House Tokyo Incident but even included details mentioned in interviews. To make matters worse, the production never informed her that they would be creating a story based on her daughter’s tragic suicide. It’s understandable why she felt hurt and outraged by the situation.
Now, it’s unclear to what extent Oshi no Ko was directly inspired by the Terrace House Tokyo Incident, but the internet was flooded with a mix of both supportive and critical comments. Sadly, some fans of Oshi no Ko resorted to insulting Kyoko Kimura on social media, which is completely uncalled for. The whole point of these episodes was to showcase the impact of social media and the tragedies it can cause. Yet, ironically, some viewers failed to grasp that message and ended up perpetuating the very behavior the series aimed to address.
Thankfully, amidst the chaos, there are some people with a functioning brain among the fan base. They’ve left comments questioning whether the fans learned anything from Oshi no Ko, expressing their disappointment in the behavior of certain otakus. They rightly argue that attacking the grieving family of Hana Kimura shows a lack of ethics. After all, one would never throw stones at someone who has lost their own child and is rightfully upset to see their story portrayed in an anime series, right?
In recent years, it’s become somewhat unsurprising for anime series to draw inspiration from real-life events and portray them in their story. For instance, Makoto Shinkai’s movie “Suzume no Tojimari” revolves around the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. And even before that, Kunihiko Ikuhara’s “Mawaru Penguindrum” depicted the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995.
These instances have sparked their fair share of controversies. However, it’s crucial for creators to confront reality and take risks when incorporating such events into their work. Insisting that “reality and fiction are separate” while subsequently attacking those involved is quite an insult to the intentions and efforts of these creators, whom fans are supposed to admire.
Conclusion
Phew! That was quite a rollercoaster of emotions, right? Controversies like these are never easy to navigate, and it’s essential for everyone involved to approach them with sensitivity and respect. As fans and consumers of media, we have the power to shape the discourse surrounding these issues. Let’s learn from the lessons that Oshi no Ko tries to teach us and strive to create a more compassionate and understanding online community.
Spread love, not hate, my sweet otaku! Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s have a conversation about finding common ground and understanding.
Remember, your voice matters (online expression has a lot of value)!
Source: myjitsu
