Manga artist Rikugo Akutsu, famed for his series Konjiki no Gash!!, is at the center of controversy following the release of his New Year's illustration.
On January 1, 2023, Akutsu shared his New Year's greeting on his social media account, X (formerly Twitter), featuring characters from his popular series. While his intention was to celebrate the New Year with joy, the illustration faced backlash from South Korean fans who perceived elements of it as reminiscent of the Rising Sun Flag.
By January 5, reports revealed significant backlash stemming from accusations of Akutsu's illustration echoing the controversial flag, which symbolizes Japan's imperial military past and has become contentious, especially among Koreans. A group of fans from Korea released a formal statement demanding not only the removal of the image but also public acknowledgment and apology from Akutsu.
Akutsu responded to the accusations, stating, "I want to convey the festive atmosphere of the New Year to my Japanese readers. I did not create it to make Korean people uncomfortable." He explained the background of his illustration, acknowledging its sun-like design, but asserting it was meant purely as harmless New Year imagery.
He detailed the contents of the fan statement, expressing concern over the cultural interpretation of his work. "They claim the background evokes negative imagery related to war and invasion, which I did not intend any offense nor disservice to the historical conversations surrounding these topics," he noted.
Despite his willingness to engage with the reasoning of his critics, Akutsu firmly rejected the call for the removal of his illustration. "If I were to accept this request to remove the illustration, it would mean artists everywhere might have to stop illustrating depictions of sunrise. Images created over many years would have to be removed based on one person's words," he remarked, stressing the importance of artistic expression.
Akutsu also pointed out the broader consequences of complying with such demands, fearing it could lead to what he termed 'artistic shrinkage.' He suggested, "This isn't just my dilemma. It reflects a wider issue about the freedoms artists across the world would face if one interpretation begins to dictate artistic creations universally."
The controversy has sparked discussions around artistic representation and cultural sensibilities, highlighting the delicate balance artists must maintain when creating work intended for diverse audiences. Akutsu's remarks indicate he is committed to continuing his craft without the fear of over-regulation by cultural sensitivities.
With the debate still active and protests from some fans continuing, Akutsu indicated he might need to seek legal recourse if the situation escalates. His work has previously been well received, even within South Korea, where he has a solid fanbase for Konjiki no Gash!! and its sequel Konjiki no Gash!! 2.
Through this incident, Akutsu emphasizes the importance of dialogue and encourages others to engage thoughtfully with cultural expressions rather than resorting to demands for censorship.
The manga community and enthusiasts await how this scenario will evolve, balancing freedom of expression with cultural sensitivity, particularly as the New Year season draws to its peak.