Late professional wrestler Hana Kimura’s mother Kyoko Kimura has raised concerns regarding the content of episode 6 (Egosurfing) of Oshi No Ko anime that was streamed on May 17, 2023.

The episode apparently resembled Hana Kimura’s cyberbullying trauma that eventually led her to end her own life. This was not taken well by Hana’s mother, who voiced her strong resentment for using her daughter’s tragedy as a free source material.

Episode 6 revolves around a character Kurokawa Akane, who takes part in a reality TV show that is similar to Terrace House, which Hana was a part of.

In the episode, there was a scene where Akane slaps one of the cast members, similar to what Hana did in Terrace House, subsequently leading to a wave of cyberbullying against her. This eventually led to the character’s attempted suicide. The only difference was that Akane was rescued by Aqua just in time.

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This similarity in the situation led to the speculation that the story was based on Hana’s, and it came as a shock for many considering how the release of this episode was around the same time as Hana’s 3rd death anniversary.

However, what concerned Kyoko the most was not just the plotline, but the words used that were directed at Akane. She said that these were the exact same as the ones used at Hana.

This, according to her, was deeply unsettling as these were something she openly shared during an interview.

“The words directed at the characters are the exact same words that were once directed at Hana. These are the aspects that we have openly shared in interviews. Using the real words verbatim, without considering the impact, raises questions. It is deeply unsettling to witness Hana’s death being treated as a freely exploitable resource.“

Kyoko despised the ruthless tactics used by the production team for releasing the story so close to Hana’s death anniversary just to gain attention and generate profits. She went on to question their morality asking them if they were unable to understand the how hurt those close to her daughter would be by using a story that resembles the real life incidents without even considering the consequences.

“Can’t they imagine the immense pain that people who genuinely care about Hana would feel by using a story that directly mirrors real events? And to release the anime at a time so close to her death anniversary, all for the sake of gaining attention and profit, without considering the consequences. I wholeheartedly condemn such ruthless tactics.“

She also pointed fingers at the creators for being unable to depict reality through fiction. She felt they should’ve found an alternative approach rather than relying on real-life events, as it was not acceptable to just use any means to raise an issue.

“Does raising an issue justify any means necessary? If they cannot depict reality through fiction, isn’t it a problem on the part of the creators? Shouldn’t they find alternative ways to convey the message without resorting to using real-life events?“

Despite Kyoko raising a genuine issue, she is now being subjected to abusive and harassing comments online by the fans of Oshi No Ko, who are accusing her of trying to ruin the anime.

Kyoko clarified that she is not trying to target the author or the series completely, but rather a lack of consideration on the side of the production while releasing the work to the public.

She is of the opinion that it is possible to address these issues without causing pain to those affected.

Shukan Josei Prime had reached out to the production team seeking an explanation, but as of now there seem to be no response from their end.

Oshi No Ko anime started airing in Japan on April 12, 2023.

Cast includes:

• Rie Takahashi as Ai Hoshino
• Takeo Otsuka as Aqua
• Yurie Igoma as Ruby
• Kent Ito as Goro
• Tomoyo Takayanagi as Sarina
• Yumi Uchiyama as Aqua (child)
•  Megumi Han as Kana Arima 
• Manaka Iwami as Akane Kurokawa
• Rumi Okubo as Mem-Cho

YOASOBI performed the opening theme song for the anime “IDOL”. The full-length version of the song will be unveiled during the advanced screening of the anime

The anime adaptation is being done by Doga Kobo. The key staff involved in the animation production were also revealed.

Daisuke Hiramaki will be directing the anime, while Saori Tachibana will serve as the assistant director. Series composition will be handled by Jin Tanaka and Kanna Hiramiya will be in charge of character designs.

Akasaka who is the writer of the original manga said that the anime adaptation will be a good work, and asked fans to look forward to it.

Oshi no Ko is a manga series written by Kaguya Sama: Love is War creator Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari, who is author of Kuzu no Honkai. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump since April 2020, with its chapters collected in seven tankōbon volumes as of February 2022.

MAL describes the plot of the manga as follows;

Sixteen-year-old Ai Hoshino is a talented and beautiful idol who is adored by her fans. She is the personification of a pure, young maiden. But all that glitters is not gold.

Gorou Honda is a countryside gynaecologist and a big fan of Ai. So when the pregnant idol shows up at his hospital, he is beyond bewildered. Gorou promises her a safe delivery. Little does he know, an encounter with a mysterious figure would result in his untimely death—or so he thought.

Opening his eyes in the lap of his beloved idol, Gorou finds that he has been reborn as Aquamarine Hoshino—Ai’s newborn son! With his world turned upside down, Gorou soon learns that the world of showbiz is paved with thorns, where talent does not always beget success. Will he manage to protect Ai’s smile that he loves so much with the help of an eccentric and unexpected ally?

Source: Yahoo Japan, Unseen Japan