The animator of the anime television series Jujutsu Kaisen“伴野河-ベタβ (@bannogawa_b)“, has been involved in a controversy after posting a drawing on Twitter that some consider a racist gesture towards Asians. In the drawing, the characters Satoru Gojo and Shoko Ieiri are shown mocking Suguru Geto through the gesture known as “fox eyes”.. However, the entertainer deleted the tweet after receiving numerous responses lamenting the portrayal as a “racist gesture” towards Asians.
The “fox eyes” gesture involves stretching the eyelids to the sides to simulate a more almond-shaped eye. Although to some it may seem simply a comical or cartoonish expression, it has been widely criticized for being offensive and racist towards people of Asian descent. This gesture has historically been used to ridicule and stigmatize Asians, perpetuating negative and derogatory stereotypes.
The controversy surrounding the drawing quickly escalated as the second season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime is currently on the air. This led to the topic immediately trending on social media and sparked a heated debate among anime fans. While some argued that the gesture was offensive and should not be normalized, others defended the entertainer and argued that it was simply an innocent joke.
Faced with the growing wave of criticism, the animator of Jujutsu Kaisen published another drawing showing Satoru Gojo apologizing for the racist gesture with a “めんご！” (“men-go”), which is a playful or sarcastic form of expression. say “gomen” (sorry). However, some Twitter users did not find this apology funny and questioned why the animator used characters to apologize, considering it equally inappropriate.
Finally, the animator issued an apology, acknowledging his mistake and regretting his actions. In his statement, he stated: “I sincerely regret my lack of knowledge. I feel sorry. From now on, I will minimize posts related to my work“.
The controversy surrounding the drawing and the animator’s subsequent apology have spawned a broader debate about representation and cultural sensitivity in the anime industry. While some argue that representations that perpetuate offensive stereotypes should be avoided, others believe that creative freedom should prevail, as long as hate or discrimination is not promoted.
As the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen continues to air, fans hope that steps will be taken to address this incident and encourage greater awareness and respect for the various cultures and communities represented in the series.
