Updated February 3rd, 2020 at 20:56 IST
Mangaka faces social media flak for naming character after Japanese experiments on POWs
A Japanese manga artist is facing a lot of criticism on social media for naming villainous doctor after inhuman Japanese wartime experiments conducted on POWs.
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A popular Japanese manga artist is facing a lot of criticism on social media for naming villainous doctor after inhuman Japanese wartime experiments conducted on Chinese and Korean Prisoners of War (POWs). My Hero Academia is a popular shonen manga with fans in Japan and internationally. Fans were excitedly awaiting the release of the latest chapter of the comic which would reveal the new alias of the villainous Doctor Ujiko who aids the series primary antagonists. However, Horikoshi's choice has left a lot of international fans fuming/
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The controversy
Japan carried out a series of horrific human experiments on more than 3,000 people, mostly Chinese civilians, but also Korean, Russian, British and American POWs during World War II. The experiments were carried out in Unit 731 complex that was built in 1936 in modern-day Harbin, northeastern China, for the Japanese Imperial Army.
Horikoshi is facing the wrath on social media for naming a villainous doctor after the experiments conducted on POWs. #APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI is trending on Twitter as many demanding an unconditional apology from the artist.
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Fans criticise the controversial name
No comics like to use sins in history to hurt victims except some Japanese cartoonists .I mean HORIKOSHI.#APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI
— wifi这里有 (@p_yn0mj)
1、 You can't make fun of the victims of war or disaster.
— Lisan (@2amsWW6s9U9P9LX)
2、You can't show contempt for certain professions.
3、You can't make fun of the nation, the people or the public.
——Osamu Tezuka, How to Make a Comic#APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI #MARUTA
#ヒロアカ真面目にあやまれ
#APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI #ヒロアカ真面目にあやまれ#MARUTA
— 흉폭한 다람쥐 (@i_luvmaself)
For world wide fans. Especially Chinese and Russians whose ancestors were suffered from Japanese army,
Please be alert.
They might use your past just for fun.
It's us now but next turn will be yours.
#APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI#Dont_Use_丸太_Horikoshi #maruta731
— Faust (@FaustCrimson)
Using the derogatory term as the character's name in the comics is an insult to wartime victims and victimized countries. I think the author must apologize openly and sincerely! pic.twitter.com/haAYqIOpcF
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However, not everyone was criticising Horikoshi for naming the villainous doctor after Japanese experiments on POWs, as some people on social media also came out in support of the artist.
We can make a mistake 'cause we are HUMAN!!! When someone that he had made a mistake and say apologize. Won't you forgive him listener?!!! #APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI
— Present MIC 🎤🎶 [[MHA PR]] (@MIC_Hizashi)
Yikes The My Hero Academia fans getting #APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI Trending on twitter after Shonen Jump official response in changing the name "Maruta" IMAGINE not being able to call your FICTIONAL CHARACTER Anne because its the first name of Anne Frank.. SMH My Hero Academia Fandom🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/oLdxr3HkZs
— SGSAMI 🍀 (@SGSAMII)
The author has since issued a statement promising to change the Doctor's name.
今週発売のジャンプで登場した志賀丸太という名前について、歴史的な出来事を想起させるというご意見を多くいただいています。命名にあたり、そのような意図を込めたつもりはありませんでした。ご指摘のお声を重く受け止め、今後は名前を差し替えさせていただきます。
— 堀越耕平 (@horikoshiko)
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Published February 3rd, 2020 at 20:56 IST