As many of you may already know, the “near-suicide” incident of Akane Kurokawa in the anime adaptation of Oshi no Ko It is based on a true story, specifically on the incident that led to the fighter’s suicide Hana Kimura in 2020. However, it seems that the portrayal of this story in Oshi no Ko was never reported to the mother of the deceased, who voiced her harsh criticism of the production. This was reported by the Myjitsu medium:
«“Oshi no Ko” has garnered attention as one of the best anime series of the current season. However, the content of the sixth episode, broadcast on May 17, is already causing controversy on the Internet due to its relationship with the suicide of Hana Kimura after the so-called “Terrace House Tokyo Incident”.“».
«It should be remembered that “Oshi no Ko” is a story that seeks to portray the dark side of the entertainment industry in Japan, focusing on the children of a charismatic idol. In the sixth episode, the protagonist Aqua Hoshino continues her participation in a reality show where the objective is that love is born among a group of young people. One of the contestants, Akane Kurokawa, tries to make her mark on the audience, but an accident occurs and ends up injuring another of the girls. She is inundated with cruel comments on social media by viewers, and is driven to the point of attempting suicide.».
«This episode was widely praised by “Oshi no Ko” fans, who already remembered it from its publication in the original manga, but some know that it was based on a true story, known as the “Terrace House Tokyo Incident”. In other words, the fact that a reality show participant wants to commit suicide after receiving a wave of negative comments on social networks is identical to what led the fighter Hana Kimura to take her own life in 2020».
«And the controversy reached the ears of Kyoko Kimura, the mother of Hana Kimura. On her own Twitter account, Kyoko criticized that they had produced a story based on the Terrace House Tokyo incident, which led to the suicide of his daughter: “Couldn’t they think that the people who love Hana would feel bad about it?” She also criticized the fact that these dates were chosen to broadcast the episode, since Hana Kimura’s death anniversary is May 23.».
- «Using true stories as they happened, no matter how deeply hurt those of us who care about Hana are. Have you ever thought of that? And apart from broadcasting everything at this time, so close to the anniversary of her death? Just to increase their sales, just to go viral, they did what they wanted. From the bottom of my heart, I despise them.».
«Furthermore, according to Kyoko, the content shown in the “Oshi no Ko” episode is not only similar to the Terrace House Tokyo incident, but “the details that were mentioned in the interviews were used as is“. In addition, he indicated that the production never informed him that they would make a story based on the suicide of his daughter.».
- «They told me to go through a detailed synopsis, and I did on a few sites. The structure of the reality show, the problems, what happened in the incident and more. The things we discussed in interviews, everything is portrayed there».
«It is unknown to what extent the story of “Oshi no Ko” was based on the Terrace House Tokyo incident, but there was a mix of comments both for and against it on the internet. In addition, fans of “Oshi no Ko” are now doing the same with Kyoko Himura herself, insulting her on social media.».
«First of all, the point of these “Oshi no Ko” episodes is supposed to be to show the effect of social media and the tragedies it can cause. However, the reality is that viewers who should have understood this story are doing exactly what they shouldn’t.».
«Fortunately, there are brainy people among the fan base, who have left comments like: “Didn’t they learn anything from Oshi no Ko?“; “It seems that otakus are such idiots that they didn’t learn anything from the sixth episode“; “The otakus are beating up Hana Kimura’s heartbroken family, don’t they have an ounce of ethics? One would never throw a stone at someone who has lost their own daughter and complains about seeing her story portrayed in an anime series, right?“».
«In recent years, it has come as no surprise that some anime series take real life events to portray them in animation. For example, Makoto Shinkai’s film, “Suzume no Tojimari”, has its plot axis based on the Great Japan Earthquake of 2011. Before that, Kunihiko Ikuhara’s “Mawaru Penguindrum” also portrayed the events of the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack».
«All of this has caused its own controversies, but it’s important that creators try to face reality when taking such risks. For fans to insist that “fact and fiction are separate,” and then go so far as to beat up those involved, is rather an insult to the works and intentions of their creators, whom they are supposed to admire so much.».
