Despite having specific national allegiances, there are times when people will support other countries for one reason or another. In this year's World Cup, Japan are seeing support not only by their own but by Mexican fans as well.
The World Cup may possibly be the closest to world peace we will ever be. As people from all across the globe have flooded the United States; there have been some amazing displays of solidarity. In this instance, a Mexico fan has brought Japanese flags to hand out to Japan fans in the stadium during a match.
In the video posted to X, the fan is seen carrying three bundles of the flags. He hands them out to all of the fans there rooting for Japan. At the end of the video, the fans with the flags are waving them; jumping up and down. They even make it on the big screen at the stadium.
With times tough globally at the moment, seeing such a wholesome interaction is, understandably, something that many of us need. Even if sports aren't something everybody loves, the video prompted positive reactions from viewers.
One user said, "actually needed this level of wholesome content today, football really does hit different sometimes."
Another commenter viewed the interaction as a sign of mutual respect and wrote, "This is how friendships grow, and mutual respect for each other countries."
Supporters from Mexico and Japan put national rivalries aside for an impromptu party dance in the streets of Mexico on 20 June; still wearing their team jerseys as delighted onlookers gathered to watch. The spontaneous celebration came after countries won their World Cup games.
During the World Cup, many Mexican fans showed support for Japan,and when asked why, several pointed to the anime that shaped their childhoods. From Dragon Ball and Saint Seiya to Super Campeones, generations of fans grew up with Japanese stories and characters.
For many, cheering for Japan wasn't just about football, it was a way of showing appreciation for the country that created some of their favorite childhood memories.
On the topic of anime, Japanese anime and manga fans are urging Donald Trump to stop using their favourite characters in his social media posts.
About 20 000 people have signed a petition on Change.org entitled, Protect Japanese Manga, protesting against the official White House X account posting videos featuring unauthorised use of imagery from the popular Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Naruto series. Angry fans have also been posting on social media.
The petition was created in March and submitted to the Japanese government, according to its creators, after the White House posted a video that combined footage of US strikes on Iran with anime scenes. “Subsequently, the ministry of foreign affairs made a request to the US embassy in Japan regarding the unauthorised use of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Nintendo games on the official White House X account,” the petition read.
The official Yu-Gi-Oh! account on X issued a statement at the time, saying: "The original creators and anime staff were not involved in any way, and no permission was given for the use of the intellectual property in question."
However, an image posted on Truth Social over the weekend depicting Trump as the ninja Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto franchise set fans off again, reviving the petition on Tuesday along with a pledge to redouble lobbying efforts with the Japanese government.
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"We are fans who deeply cherish Japanese manga and anime works," the petition said. It added that fans had "very mixed feelings about" about a "video featuring military actions, released on an official US government social media account [that] incorporated footage from Japanese manga and anime works."
A fan going by the name of Matsui Qunishige posted on Tuesday: "If you respect the creators and those involved and have obtained their permission, I think that’s fine. Otherwise, you’re just showing yourself to be someone who can’t follow the rules and who disregards culture. And that criticism will likely be directed at Americans. They’re the ones who chose [Trump]."
Another fan, Kei Fukuyosh, said: "I truly, from the bottom of my heart, want them to stop. Their sense of ethics is severely lacking. I want the government to speak out against this."
Keiichi Motohashi asked: "I wonder what the copyright situation is with this? Shouldn’t [the publisher] Shueisha and [Naruto’s creator] Masashi Kishimoto complain about it?"
Shueisha, which celebrates its centenary this year, is Japan’s biggest publisher and serialised the original Naruto manga from 1999 to 2014. The manga about a young boy training to become a ninja has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Kishimoto, whose twin brother, Seishi, is also a manga artist, oversaw the production of three hit Naruto anime films.
A spokesperson for Shueisha said the copyright for the anime images used in Trump’s post was held by the film production committee and that they believed Kishimoto was not commenting on the matter.
Though it is unclear whether or not the fond feelings will remain when the World Cup is over, the good thing is that we at least have them right now. The video highlighted a small but memorable interaction between fans.
Anime is probably one of the best things to have been created. Just like sport, it has the power to connect people. It's wonderful to see people from different countries come together for a common and general cause. I do agree that it brings about a brief stint of world peace.
The White House should stop using copyright material for their own use on despicable matters.