Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, has had a rough draw with part of the western audience. Specifically the woke crowd.

There’s been multiple incidents where said woke crowd has demanded Horikoshi apologize, sometimes even demand him to quit, and others want him to take his life.

Some of the reasons why are because of the manga’s Endeavor arc, giving him somewhat redemption. Or for “overly sexualizing” female characters.

If you’re out of the loop on those situations, here is some coverage if you’re so inclined, and then we’ll move into today’s report;

So today’s report.

A new hashtag is created; ” #APOLOGIZE_HORIKOSHI ”

Why?

Because of the name revealed for All For One’s Doctor, Shiga Maruta.

“Maruta” ( Kanji; 丸太 ) has ties to Japan’s infamous Unit 731.

If you don’t know what Unit 731 was involved with in World War 2, to put it simply; some of the most inhumane experiments on humans to date. Biochemical experimentation, live vivisection, and other such atrocities. Some of the experiments seemingly also without any scientific merit, with the purpose of making the subject’s life miserable.

Terrible stuff for sure.

However, is Horikoshi advocating for Unit 731 by having All For One’s Doctor named “Shiga Maruta”? No, I don’t believe that’s the case at all.

For one, the Doctor is a villain and is working for All For One, arguably the “main villain” of the series.

Horikoshi’s statement;

“Many have heard that the name Shiga Maruta, which appeared in the jump this week, is reminiscent of historical events. I didn’t mean that in the naming. We take your comments very seriously and will replace your name in the future.”

Also, I doubt (most if not all of ) the people complaining were doing anything to bring awareness to Unit 731 before it became trendy to talk about it today… On Twitter…

There’s also another interesting explanation provided by user @maybeitfriendly

And here’s some more examples of the outrage going on for this situation;

Finally, it seems Shonen Jump has issued a statement on this situation;