Within the framework of the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2024, The company that manages the Karasuma Line of the train in Kyoto decided to decorate its wagons with details alluding to the anime “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian“an adaptation that is currently airing. However, what began as a promotional campaign quickly sparked a wave of criticism on social media.
One user expressed his outrage with the following comment:
- «Looking at this from outside Japan, one of the things that strikes me as most 'abnormal' is this kind of thing. Can't they stop sensualizing characters who are high school or junior high school students, even if they're fictional? And besides, why put it in public spaces? There are children, women, and tourists passing by.».
This message, which condemns the eroticization of teenage characters, generated a cascade of responses. Some users were equally upset, while others defended the decoration arguing that there was no real reason for such accusations.. Among the harshest comments were the following:
- «It's disgusting, disgusting, disgusting! All people who support this should have their human rights taken away and be put in prison immediately! Don't let these future criminals go free!».
- «It's really disgusting. Even if the characters are adults in the story, their faces look like those of teenagers… It's pathetic that there's only demand for girls with childlike faces, how immature and pitiful can men be?».
- «This is disgusting in a public space. A complaint needs to be filed!».
“Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” is a series that revolves around Alisa Mikhailovna “Alya” Kujou, a half-Russian, half-Japanese student at the prestigious Seirei Academy. The story focuses on the interaction between Alya and her classmate Masachika Kuze, who, despite seeming disinterested, understands Russian perfectly, which generates a peculiar dynamic between the two characters. The work has recently gained popularity thanks to its anime adaptation, which has increased interest in its romantic story and the cultural details it introduces, particularly in relation to the Russian language.
Despite the success of the series, the controversy surrounding the decoration of the train has opened a debate on the representation of young characters in situations that some consider inappropriate for public spaces. However, not everyone agrees with this view. Some social media users have defended the decoration, stating that sensualization is an individual perception and that the work should not be censored for it:
- «Why do they bother? They are just drawings, there is no reason for such a fuss.».
- «If this seems inappropriate to you, it's because your mind is filled with twisted thoughts all the time.».
- «It is a collaboration for a cultural event, they do not force anyone to see it, it is not that big of a deal.».
Other users have pointed out the hypocrisy of some critics, arguing that anime art and culture are part of Japan's identity. and that, despite the protests, these types of collaborations remain popular with both companies and fans.
The debate continues to generate a great deal of diverse opinions, and the railway company has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. What is clear is that the controversy reflects the clash between anime culture and outside perceptions.especially regarding the boundaries of what should be considered appropriate in public spaces.
Fountain: Yaraon!
