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Publisher to suspend cartoon sales after Muslims say it insults Islam

Thursday 22nd May, 09:06 AM JST

CAIRO —

A popular Japanese cartoon is sparking off outcries in the Muslim world where some fear it could fuel a backlash not seen since European papers carried cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed and a Dutch lawmaker released a controversial film earlier this year.

Shueisha Inc, a Japanese publisher involved in the production of the cartoon ‘‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’’ and its animation version, suspended sales of some of the original comics and the DVD series Thursday, but said the material was not intended to be offensive.

At issue is a 90-second segment from “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” which depicts Dio Brando, a villain, picking up a Quran from a bookshelf and apparently examining it as he orders the execution of the hero and his friends.

The animated movie is based on the wildly popular comic book by Hirohiko Araki, which has been carried in Shonen Jump, a weekly magazine, from 1987 to 2003. The cartoon series’ pirated version with Arabic subtitles has been distributed on websites since March 2007.

After a viewer posted negative comments and the still scene, it sparked off more protests. Eventually responses were carried on more than 300 Arab and Islamic Web forums with some accusing Japan of insulting the Quran.

Sheikh Abdul Hamid Attrash, chairman of the Fatwa (religious edict)
Committee at Al-Azhar, the highest Sunni authority based in Cairo, dismissed the cartoon as an insult to Islam.

‘‘This scene depicts Muslims as terrorists, which is not true at all,’’ he said. ‘‘This is an insult to the religion and the producers would be considered to be enemies of Islam.’’

In responding to the accusation, the Shueisha official explained that it was ‘‘a simple mistake.’’

‘‘Neither the original comic nor the animation intends to treat Muslims as villains. But as a result, the cartoon offended Muslims.’’ said the official. ‘‘We apologize for the unpleasantness that the cartoon may have caused and will carefully consider how to deal with religious and culture themes.’’

The official said one of animators came up with the idea of using an Arabic book in order to give the scene a more authentic feel as the villain was hiding out in Egypt.

With that in mind he went to the library and found a book, which turned out to be the Quran and inserted it. No one realized the mistake as no one could read or speak Arabic, the official said.

Other reactions included website postings citing their offense as the suggested correlation between the villain and his reading of the holy book, as well as the underlying message suggesting that children who read the Quran will become villains.

‘‘There are prejudiced pictures about the greatest and purest divine book, our Great Quran, in a new cartoon series called JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure...what is the purpose of putting these pictures?’’ a well circulated Internet message asks.

Although the Japanese publisher explained that the Quran was not included in the original comic book version, the scene appears in episode 6 of the cartoon’s first original animation video, ‘‘Stardust Crusaders,’’ which was produced by A.P.P.P (Another Push Pin Planning) Co in 2001.

‘‘There is a wicked man in a cartoon series called JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and this villain appears in a clip while reading Holy Quran...even the Japanese began to depict Muslims as evil persons and terrorists in their cartoon films,’’ said Qannas al-Jazira, one of al-Hesbah most active members.

Al-Hesbah is a major Islamic website used as a clearing house for Islamic militants’ statement.

Despite the apology from the company, some such as Aly Yassin, are not willing to accept the error.

As an Egyptian Internet cafe owner in Cairo, Yassin, believes the objective of the Japanese producers is to say, ‘‘This evil character derives its subversive ideas from this book, the Holy Quran...this indicates the deep-rooted rancor against Islam and the misconceptions about Quran meanings.’’ ‘‘This is unjustifiable,’’ he said.

Still others, such as Gamal Qutb, the former head of the Fatwa Committee at Al-Azhar, were even tougher, suggesting that Muslims would boycott Japanese products unless Japan takes action against the controversial video.

‘‘Muslims will be forced to adopt a position toward their civilization, from arguing their worship through boycotting their products to responding in the same manner if necessary,’’ he noted.

On the other hand, Henry, 50, a Christian administrator in Beirut, who only gave his first name, spoke about his concern about Muslims’ intolerance toward freedom of expression. He thought that a boycott of Japanese products or an attack on producers was going too far as he pointed to negative examples prevalent in the Hollywood film industry.

© 2008 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

Latest 15 of 122 Total Comments Show All

  • notimpressed at 02:23 PM JST - 23rd May

    yes, if we are to tollerte those different from us, then the same should be expected from them. And vice-versa. If those who see us as different find us intollerable, they cannot expect to be tollerated in return. This is a two way street, and it seems like Extremist Islam is driving a mack truck down the middle of the road at 100miles per hour.

    Toolongheremaybe: you are very correct, nothing will change, and relations will deteriorate more, untill the peace loving muslims, which I know are out there, step up and take control. Become a leader and lead by positive example. Dont be cowed by fanatics and psychotics. If those leaders are the problem, or factions are the problem, you need to do something about it. If your religeon advocates action toward injustice, then dont sit idly by and allow your leaders to drag you into a shtstorm. Said shtstorm is gaining momentum exponentially, and requires attention. ISlam is offending the world, and needs to make amends, then can expect amends form the rest of the world. Maybe then it wont be Islam vs rest of world, as promoted by your leaders.

  • Molenir at 04:18 PM JST - 23rd May

    I say the best way to deal with Muslims, is to constantly insult them, their religion, and their prophet. If you shock them all enough, offend them all enough, then eventually, nothing you do with offend them, and nothing you do will shock them.

    Lets all draw and publish offensive pictures of Mohammed.

  • LFRAgain at 05:27 PM JST - 23rd May

    For me, it comes down to this: When the single-minded goal of Islam is to propagate throughout the world a philosophy (not just religion) in which women in particular are not and cannot be considered quite equal to men, then that is where the line gets drawn for me. I’m tolerant of a lot of things I don’t particularly agree with. But I’m not going to go to such lengths to prove how “enlightened” or “modern” I am in my tolerance as to facilitate a reversal of all the gains humanity has made over the last thousand years in promoting and protecting human dignity and freedom, particularly for women.

    In all seriousness, how far must tolerance be embraced in the face of a belief system that stands in almost polar opposition to so many concepts of liberty, self-determination, and fundamental human rights that so many of the nations of the world embrace? It becomes increasingly harder to practice or preach tolerance when news items like the above continue to crop up. Every reminder of the intrinsic intolerance that is part and parcel of Shari'a law, not to mention the day-to-day reminders of Islam’s own intolerance of criticism in whatever form, be it a news editorial, a video on YouTube, or a cartoon on Japanese television, drives home the point that where quarter is willingly given on the one side, the other has no such reservations in being brazenly inflexible, to the point of issuing threats of retaliation. Even if those threats are only economic in nature, say, in the form of a boycott of Japanese goods, it’s still unconscionable to think that a religion could or would seek to leverage economic terrorism because of, of all things, an unflattering depiction in a cartoon.

    Simply put, Islam, or more specifically, many of the rules that govern Islam and the leaders that espouse those codes, are the very anti-thesis of the principles of liberty and freedom that humanity has struggled to bring to the surface of a muddled and haunted human consciousness, against a historical backdrop of unrelenting tyranny.

    Being forbidden to simply quit being Muslim? That is tyranny. Being forbidden from openly practicing any religion other than Islam? That is tyranny. Being told with whom and under what circumstances one may a) leave home, b) transit to work, c) dress, d) marry, e) educate oneself and one’s children, f) think? That is tyranny.

    Being forbidden from even questioning any of the above that one might find objectionable under penalty of imprisonment, pain or death? That is tyranny in its purest form.

    And to have the audacity, as an outsider, to threaten consequences for something produced for a local audience, e.g., “Don’t say/do/show/suggest/imply anything in Japan that might put Islam in a negative light,” isn’t just tyrannous, it’s outrageous, arrogant, and offensive at its core. Sorry, but I can't tolerate, accept, or humor the propagation of a philosophy that is in such stark opposition to basic principles of liberty just to appear more sophisticated and enlightened than my peers, as if by appearing more tolerant than my neighbor, I have license to smugly dismiss the anxieties and fears of others in my newfound “better-ness.” Tolerance to the point of self-extinction? I think not.

  • notimpressed at 06:08 PM JST - 23rd May

    put simply, I find so much that has been done and said in the name of Islam offensive, and yet, where is MY apology? No, where is my fatwa comittee? I will now boycott all halal goods, I would boycott all Muslim owned produce but my car wont go too well without oil. Geez they are lucky to have oil out there, without that they would have no international clout or wealth tpo bargain/extort with.

    ALl those PC people espouting tolerance, are the same people who belittle, patronise, and flame posters for excercising thier right to free speech. I find myself becoming more and more apolitical as the left and right lean so far toward the middle, that they are no more than meaningless hypocrits.

    Therefore I refuse to write any masterpieces of expression on JT, unlike all these so called tolerant people, who if they are so smart, would not be putting thier talents into this type of discussion. As a normal person, with all my faculties, but not a doctorate in highbrowism,I find Islam is far more offensive in its conservatism/ medievel thinking and actions, than some guy who drew a cartoon.I mean really,get a grip. Its a cartoon.

    If Islam wanted the world to like them,and for us all to get along, this wouldnt be an issue. What they they want is supremacy. Not gonna get it. Even with the numbers, those numbers are made up of uneducated and empoverished, brainwashed people, who want to join a crap-slinging match, and follow along behind some charismatic(read: megalomaniac) religeous leaders.

    Well Im with JOJO

  • skipthesong at 06:25 PM JST - 23rd May

    notimpressed: Damn good post!

    I either ride a bike or walk to work. I have already started my boycott of their main product.

    Anyone want my Persian Carpet? It was very expensive! I don't want it any longer!

  • skipthesong at 06:37 PM JST - 23rd May

    "Someday, skippy, you'll figure out that saying 'I hate people who hate' is just a stupid statement, and way of thinking." Well duh there Mr. Smith. What intolerant people? a couple of posting ago you will trying to convince people to find understanding at the same time accusing them of being so intolerant. You basically kissed one poster's butt in saying "hey, I understand you, I am not like those racist, intolerant skips...."

    So please enlighten me, why do Muslims who go and get ready to go to war over a cartoon get your appeasement but those who are not Muslim, and are questioning whether the religion is really one of peace with all twinkly bells and is better than all other, as you claim, instead get your wrath of criticism.

    You really need to start checking how you can live with yourself as you defend something as outlandish as this is yet any flack from it warrants destruction."

  • USNinJapan2 at 06:42 PM JST - 23rd May

    LFRAgain, notimpressed

    Bravo to both of your posts.

  • zzonkerr at 06:55 PM JST - 23rd May

    I second that.

  • Saiyuki.requiem at 12:03 AM JST - 24th May

    "we are not terrorists. we are a peace loving people. if you say otherwise we will harm you."

    Jinjapan, sounds like a terrorist threat to me. Hope nobody offends you.

  • Saiyuki.requiem at 12:09 AM JST - 24th May

    You talk about the extremists. Since 2001, everything I read suggests to me that the biggest problem is that the extremists happen to be the LEADERS of Islam. So, if you as a moderate Muslim want the world to respect and admire Islam, the solution has to come from within Islam. I want to hear Muslim leaders worldwide CONDEMNING the extremists, not inciting them and not BEING them. Muslims may not be able to see Christianity as a religion of peace because of what happened hundreds of years ago. Well, now its the 21st century, and Christian leaders are not encouraging anyone to kill. By all means, be proud of your religion, promote it, talk about it, try and convert us using words. But remember that while you will be free to do that in Japan and the US, Christians are not allowed to evangelize openly in Saudi Arabia and many Muslim countries. Where is the tolerance in that? But, please understand the fear of Islam when people hear about violent retribution over comic books, see explosion in subways and nightclubs etc, and see Islamic LEADERS endorsing it.

    Kudos toolongheremaybe.

  • Saiyuki.requiem at 12:11 AM JST - 24th May

    So please enlighten me, why do Muslims who go and get ready to go to war over a cartoon get your appeasement but those who are not Muslim, and are questioning whether the religion is really one of peace with all twinkly bells and is better than all other, as you claim, instead get your wrath of criticism. You really need to start checking how you can live with yourself as you defend something as outlandish as this is yet any flack from it warrants destruction."

    Skipthesong, you and toolongheremaybe should get together and colloborate because you too have your A game figured.

  • nipbaka at 08:26 PM JST - 24th May

    The Japanese are just copying as usual that famous Danish cartoon. Which was harmless by the way.

  • oneinafew at 09:06 PM JST - 24th May

    As an Egyptian Internet cafe owner in Cairo, Yassin, believes the objective of the Japanese producers is to say, ‘‘This evil character derives its subversive ideas from this book, the Holy Quran...this indicates the deep-rooted rancor against Islam and the misconceptions about Quran meanings.’’ ‘‘This is unjustifiable,’’ he said.

    So the writer couldnt do what he did (in a cartoon!) but its ok for the Muslim community to harbour terrorist? I believe the writings and intentions in the Quran are intended to be good but its like they deny the fact the biggest terrorist groups in the world are actually Muslim. Get rid of the terrorists and themisconceptions` will take care of themselves.

  • SaikoStar at 09:00 PM JST - 25th May

    and yet it is ok for islam to use cartoon charesters for propaganda? makes you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCNGJtIg73s

  • capone at 09:22 PM JST - 25th May

    muslims think EVERYTHING insults islam...maybe they should lighten up

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