The Incident of Akane Kurokawa's Story Linked to Hana Kimura's Death. Aka Akasaka States it's Purely Coincidental
A recent controversy has emerged in Japan surrounding the latest story arc of the anime adaptation of Oshi no Ko. The acclaimed series, created by Aka Akasaka, follows the character Aqua Hoshino as she participates in a reality show. However, it is Akane Kurokawa, another contestant, who becomes the center of attention due to her actions that lead to the injury of a fellow participant. This unfortunate incident sets off a wave of criticism and hateful comments on social media, pushing Akane to the brink of attempting suicide.
Observant fans have drawn comparisons between this story arc and the real-life tragedy involving Hana Kimura, a professional wrestler who faced a similar situation in 2020. Hana Kimura, after encountering trouble with a fellow reality show participant and enduring online harassment, tragically took her own life.
The manga version of Oshi no Ko introduced this story arc in Chapter 21, which was published on October 15, 2020, in Weekly Young Jump, just five months after Hana Kimura's untimely passing on May 23, 2020. The close timeline has prompted speculation that Aka Akasaka may have drawn inspiration from these events. Interestingly, this isn't the first time the author has faced accusations of incorporating real-life tragedies into their work, as alluded to in a previous interview.
In a September 2021 interview published by Kai-You Premium, Aka Akasaka addressed the controversy, asserting that any similarities between the story arc and Hana Kimura's experience were purely coincidental. During the interview, a conversation between Akasaka and musician Masayoshi Oishi shed light on the matter:
Masayoshi Oishi: The representation of love's authentic emotions is one thing, but the documentary-like quality of the story gives the impression that such occurrences take place in the real entertainment industry. The portrayal of a romantic reality show feels so genuine, and the backstage scenes at the idol festival are remarkably realistic, making me wonder about the depth of your research. Ultimately, one questions whether reality can provide more captivating drama than fiction. Additionally, your work addresses contemporary issues like social media defamation, coinciding with real-life incidents, which struck me as quite bold.
Aka Akasaka: This was a story I had decided to write even before commencing the manga's publication, so it was a complete coincidence that something similar happened concurrently.
Masayoshi Oishi: Nonetheless, the perils of social media and the importance of maintaining one's mental well-being in the face of hateful comments are crucial considerations. The fact that you promptly addressed these issues in your work demonstrates your acute awareness and sharp insights. In my opinion, what sets "Oshi no Ko" apart is its ability to delve into the heart of these matters. It is not merely a manga about love or entertainment.
Despite the author's insistence on coincidence, fans continue to debate whether the parallels—both in timing and nature of the events—suggest any inspiration drawn from the incidents that rocked the wrestling industry in 2020. The discussion surrounding Oshi no Ko's storyline and its connection to real-life tragedies remains a topic of interest among avid readers and followers of Aka Akasaka's work.
Source: Yaraon.