Products Featuring Rising Sun Flag Pattern Spark Controversy Amid ‘Demon slayer’ Film’s Success in Korea
SEOUL – As the Japanese animated film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” exceeded 4.99 million viewers in South Korea,concerns have been raised regarding the sale of merchandise displaying the Rising Sun Flag.
Sungshin Women’s university Professor Seo Kyung-duk alerted the public to the issue, stating, “I confirmed this following a tip from concerned citizens.” He noted that, following previous controversy over Rising Sun Flag earrings worn by a character in the film, various products including keychains and earrings featuring the symbol are currently being sold online.
“It is fundamentally wrong to sell products bearing the Rising Sun Flag without proper verification, irrespective of whether they are sourced through overseas direct purchase platforms,” Professor Seo warned. “This inadvertently provides justification for Japan’s continued use of the flag.” He emphasized the importance of self-regulation in preventing such incidents.
Professor Seo referenced a past instance where a Korean company faced criticism for utilizing the Rising Sun Flag pattern in advertisements. “While companies naturally seek profit, understanding the history and national sentiment of the target market is paramount,” he stated.
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train,” released on September 22nd, is the second theatrical installment in the “Demon Slayer” series, depicting the climactic battle between protagonist Tanjiro Kamado and the primary antagonist, Muzan Kibutsuji.The original manga debuted in 2016 and gained widespread popularity, leading to both a television anime adaptation and subsequent film releases. The film achieved meaningful success in Japan, ranking as the highest-grossing Japanese film wiht approximately 40.4 billion yen in sales.
Alongside the film’s popularity, some have also voiced concerns regarding the historical setting of the “Demon Slayer” series, noting its overlap with the period of Japanese colonial rule over Korea and its potential connection to historical grievances.
