Shanghai License Company Issues Statement After Chinese Social Media Criticizes Detective Conan Series for Collaborating With Banned My Hero Academia Franchise

My Hero Academia Controversy in China: A Deep Dive

In February 2020, the popular manga and anime series, My Hero Academia, faced a significant backlash in China, leading to its removal from digital platforms. The controversy stemmed from the naming of a villain, which was perceived as a reference to a dark chapter in Sino-Japanese history. This incident highlights the sensitivities surrounding historical events and their impact on cultural exchange.

The Controversial Character Name

The character in question was initially named "Maruta Shiga." The term "Maruta" has a deeply offensive connotation in China, referring to the victims of human experimentation conducted by the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 731 during World War II. These victims, including men, women, and children, were subjected to horrific experiments and were referred to as "maruta," which translates to "logs" in Japanese, as a cover for the unit's activities.

Apologies and Repercussions

The use of this name triggered widespread outrage among Chinese fans and online communities. Both the series creator, Kōhei Horikoshi, and the publisher, Shueisha, issued apologies in multiple languages, including Japanese, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean. Horikoshi explained that the name was intended to be a combination of the villain's physical appearance and a connection to another character, but acknowledged the unintentional offense caused and pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Aftermath: Removal and Collaboration Concerns

Despite the apologies, the damage was done. My Hero Academia was removed from Chinese digital platforms in February 2020. The controversy also cast a shadow on collaborations involving the series. In January 2024, the Shanghai Character License Administrative Company addressed concerns regarding a collaboration between My Hero Academia and Gōshō Aoyama's Detective Conan series. This collaboration, involving illustrations by both creators to celebrate their respective anniversaries, was criticized by some Chinese fans due to the earlier controversy. The Shanghai Character License Administrative Company clarified that the collaboration was simply a friendly exchange between the creators.

My Hero Academia's Success and Legacy

Despite the controversy in China, My Hero Academia has achieved tremendous success worldwide. The manga series, which launched in 2014, concluded in August 2024 and surpassed 100 million copies in circulation globally. The anime adaptation, which premiered in 2016, also gained a large following. The final episode of the anime aired in December 2024, but a new bonus episode is scheduled for release in May.

The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity

The My Hero Academia controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity in creative works, especially when dealing with historical events. Even unintentional references can cause significant offense and have far-reaching consequences. The incident underscores the need for creators to be aware of the potential impact of their work on different cultures and to exercise caution when dealing with sensitive topics.