What happens when K-pop and anime come together? In this one instance- nothing good.
Three K-pop stars- SEVENTEEN’s Woozi, NCT’s Taeyong, and TXT’s Soobin recommended author Akihito Tsukushi’s manga turned anime Made in Abyss, and all hell broke loose.
People online began accusing the K-pop stars of promoting Pedophilia and sexual abuse of children. So what’s going on?
Akihito Tsukushi’s Made in Abyss anime is about Riko and her half-robot friend Reg. They explore a chasm called “The Abyss,” filled with unique creatures, civilizations, and magical relics. The anime has been criticized for showcasing child abuse, sexual assault, torture, and mutilation. So when Soobin of the K-pop group TXT recommended it, he received backlash online.
Why Is The Made In Abyss Anime Receiving Online Backslash?
If you went on Twitter/ X and saw Made in Abyss trending, you probably thought it was because something new about the anime had been released. But clicking on the tag would have made your eyebrows go to your foreheads.
The problem began when fans asked TXT’s Soobin what animes he would recommend. He mentioned Made In Abyss, among other shows, and all hell broke loose. Many accused him of platforming a show that is full of Pedophilia, child abuse, torture, and r*pe.
Soon, people found that SEVENTEEN’s Woozi and NCT’s Taeyong had also recommended the anime before. However, amongst all the negativity, many pointed out that there are several shows with similarly disturbing content that don’t get called out.
Why Is Made In Abyss About?
Made in Abyss began in 2017 and is a well-liked yet heavily controversial anime, even among hard-core anime lovers. The reason it’s so beloved is because of its thought-provoking, dense, and layered world-building.
The story follows Riko, an orphaned girl who dreams of becoming a cave raider. She is from a society that lives around “the Abyss,” a cave leading into the deepest parts of Earth.
Riko befriends Reg, a part-robot boy who looks like a human. They search for Riko’s mother, a cave raider lost in the Abyss.
This Abyss is full of exciting and dangerous creatures. There are magical relics and new civilizations, and nothing is what it seems. Basically, it’s an entirely new world.
It’s an anime that should be a slamdunk success, yet it hasn’t been able to reach the level of popularity of shows like Attack on Titan, One Piece, etc. While there are many reasons, the one glaring reason is the problematic treatment of kids in it.
Children in the story are subjected to torture, child abuse, and sexual assault. For example, in one instance, the orphanage head punishes Riko by beating her when she is nude. A lot of viewers have found such similar unnecessary scenes.
Also, in the first episode, Riko is fascinated by Reg and his robotic parts/ mannerisms. So she experiments on him by sticking a literal stick in his behind.
On the Made In Abyss subreddit, many lovers of the story have stated that there are parts that make it uncomfortable to watch/ read.
One user, MuchoStretchy, wrote, “The lewding is what I dislike most about the manga.” However, the criticism of it hasn’t been limited to just the manga/ anime.
Why Do People Hate The Author Of Made In Abyss?
The online criticism of Made In Abyss has not been limited to just the content of the manga, which many believe has been toned down a lot in the anime. Many are saying that author Akihito Tsukushi was arrested on charges of Pedophilia. However, that accusation and insinuation is wrong. Tsukushi has never been charged or arrested for Pedophilia.
It looks like many netizens have mistaken him for Kenya Suzuki, the author of Please Tell Me! Galko-chan. He was charged with child pornography in 2021.
However, even fans of Tsukushi’s work have said that some of his artwork is uncomfortable. On the Made In Abyss subreddit, user Princess_Minou aptly summed up the situation, saying:
“If some people criticize the author, it’s probably because he shares/likes (see on Twitter) and draws Loli in more or less explicit lewd situations; even if it’s not illegal in Japan, it’s more the moral aspect that is at stake.”
However, many have also pointed out that Made In Abyss’s beautifully crafted world and plot, including its intricate characters, have made it possible for them to ignore other aspects.
What do you think of the criticism the K-pop stars have gotten for recommending Made In Abyss? Is it blown out of proportion?
Let us know your thoughts about this complex issue in the comments below.
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