The franchise and the fan community Kantai Collection (KanColle) have been embroiled in controversy after a protest letter addressed to the game’s developers began circulating on social media around November 9. Controversy revolves around the Japanese warship Kikuzukiwho exists as a personified character in KanColle, and appears to have escalated to death threats and arson attempts by players of the game.
The issue centers on the character Kikuzuki, based on the Japanese destroyer Kikuzuki used by the Imperial Japanese Navy since the 1920s. The Kikuzuki Destroyer Association, made up of former crew members, their families and volunteers, claims to have legal ownership of Kikuzuki since November 2017. In a protest letter sent in March of this year and recently deleted after receiving attention on social media, the association claims to have been continuously harassed by Kantai Collection players since March 2021.
The accusations include arson threats, attempted arson, placing suspicious objects at the addresses of association members, as well as online defamation and death threats. Despite police intervention, the criminal acts show no signs of stopping, preventing the association from resuming its activities.
According to the explanation of the Kikuzuki Destroyer Association, the controversy began in March 2021 when the organization questioned the official KanColle Twitter account in response to a limited-time mission in the game. The association expressed concern over the depiction of Kikuzuki as consumable material in a mission, given that Kantai Collection is presented as a game commemorating souls lost in war.
Meanwhile, the Kantai Collection management has remained silent on the matter, as criticized by the Association in its letter of protest. Despite growing attention on social media, some users maintain that the Kikuzuki Destroyer Association’s ownership claim is vague and suspicious. However, alleged threats and crimes committed by Kantai Collection users have generated public disdain, regardless of the circumstances.
Finally, The Kikuzuki Destroyer Association clarified in a statement through its official Twitter account that the protest letter mentioned above was drafted and sent to C2Praparat by an individual from the association without the knowledge or approval of other members.. Recognizing the lack of credibility in the details of the letter and calling it an inappropriate response to the situation, they have made the decision to delete it. The association apologizes to both the public and C2Praparat for any inconvenience caused. This statement seeks to clarify and rectify the situation to restore transparency regarding recent events.
Fountain: Automaton Media
