In a recent turn of events, a prominent animator associated with Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Sota Shigetsugu, has issued a public apology to the Islamic community. The controversy arose from a cross-dressing scene featuring the character Aoi Todo in Episode 21, drawing criticism and online abuse directed at the animator.
Addressing the concerns raised by members of the Islamic community, Shigetsugu expressed regret for the inclusion of the particular scene. In this sequence, Todo envisions himself cross-dressing alongside the popular Japanese idol Takada-chan. The imaginative scenario unfolds with Todo and Takada executing a dynamic combo to the tune of Takada-chan’s song “Climax☆JUMPING!” to aid their ally Yuji in a fight.
The backlash, predominantly stemming from a post made by Shigetsugu on December 14th, prompted the animator to delete both the controversial post and his subsequent apology on December 15th. Despite the negative reactions, it’s noteworthy that a segment of fans, including those who identify as Muslim, came to Shigetsugu’s defense.
While Arabic-language posts following the incident reflect a range of responses, with many fans appearing indifferent to the perceived offense, questions have been raised about the extreme nature of the backlash, including harassment and death threats. The blog post acknowledges that the majority of reactions seem to be in defense of the animator, while a small minority has taken a more aggressive stance, doubling down and gloating about the abuse.
The incident raises broader discussions about cultural sensitivity in anime and the responsibility of creators in navigating potentially sensitive content, emphasizing the need for respectful dialogue within the community. As the controversy unfolds, the response from both fans and industry insiders will undoubtedly shape the ongoing discourse surrounding cultural representation in anime.