In China, doing your favorite anime character could now get into trouble. According to the Taiwanese medium Sanli News Networksince 2022 Japanese culture events in the country have been the target of controversies, cancellations and even police interventions.
According to the wording, festivals inspired by the Natsu Matsuri that were canceled after citizen complaints, and the event “Decon Anime Dimension Carnival” in Nankín, where the authorities prohibited songs in Japanese and the use of the kimono, are the best known examples. But the thing is not there. In 2023, the Chinese government proposed a law that would prohibit clothes that “damage the spirit of the Chinese nation,” which many interpreted as a direct attack on Japanese cultural influence.
One of the craziest incidents occurred in July 2024 in Harbin, when two young cosplayers disguised as Obito Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha, both characters from “Naruto”, were attacked in the subway by a older man armed with a club. The guy shouted them: «How they dare to dress as Japanese!», And they went on them. The worst thing is that, when the Cosplayers called the police, the agents suggested to laugh at the complaint because the aggressor had already left the scene.
7月 23日 ， 黑龙江哈尔滨。两名 Sewing 在地铁站被一大爷手持棍棒殴打。当事人和知情者称 “报警后老头跑了 ， 警察要求撤案。” pic.twitter.com/olud6t9x4q
– 李老师不是你老师 (@Whyoutouzhele) July 28, 2024
Obviously this set fire to social networks, and even the Japanese soon reacting to it:
- «A club? I thought they were only used in rhythmic gymnastics today».
- «Equip a club … What is this, an RPG with Goblins?».
- «Taking a weapon down the street is crazy. Or is it that security is so bad that you need one to survive?».
- «If wearing a sailor uniform is almost a risk because it seems military, imagine this».
- «Did they really go 'like Japanese'? If you acknowledged that they were characters from a manga … then … ah».
- «And think that these people then travel to Japan in New Year … fear».
- «In all countries ultranational grandparents are a danger, it seems».
This case makes it clear that the tension between Japanese nationalism and pop culture in China continues to climb. In the end, what for some is just a hobby, for others it becomes a cultural war.
Fountain: Hachima Kikou
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(Tagstotranslate) China
