TXT’s Soobin Faces Criticism For Watching A Problematic Anime: More Male Idols Also Take Heat

Taeyong, Woozi, and Mingi were also caught up in the controversy.
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Christine Fernandez
Christine Fernandez

Content Warning

This article includes descriptions of graphic content that may disturb some readers.

TXT‘s Soobin is just one K-Pop idol under fire for consuming a highly problematic anime.

What Is It?

Made in Abyss is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi which spans 12 volumes and was made into two anime seasons.

It follows the journey of a young girl, Riko, and her half-human friend, Reg, as they journey into the dangerous “Abyss” to find the former’s mother.

Though Made in Abyss was praised for its original worldbuilding and mesmerizing graphics, it was criticized for its depictions of violence and pedophilic content. It includes the protagonists being tortured, strung up without clothes, wearing provocative clothing, frequent reactions to their nudity, mentions of their genitalia, and more.

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TXT’s Soobin

Netizens are now uncovering receipts of certain K-Pop idols who have admitted to watching Made in Abyss, with one of them being TXT’s leader Soobin. He stated in a live broadcast last year that the anime was “so much fun.”

The second season of Made in Abyss is coming out right now. To be honest, I didn’t think the first season was that much fun. But the second season is so fun.

— Soobin

Though he put a disclaimer that he wouldn’t recommend it, he said that he had fun watching the season.

It’s not an anime that I want to recommend to you because it’s kind of provocative but the story is really good and I’m having fun watching it.

— Soobin

NCT 127’s Taeyong

Besides Soobin, NCT 127‘s Taeyong has also confirmed that he’s a fan of Made in Abyss. He is a supporter of the manga which is infamous for being more graphic and overall problematic than the anime. In a photo showcasing his pair of red boots, he left the manga slightly out of sight in the corner as a hint that he is a fan.

Netizens noted that it was the 11th volume of the manga, proving that he was not simply a casual reader.

SEVENTEEN’s Woozi

SEVENTEEN‘s Woozi is also under fire for mentioning Made in Abyss in a Weverse Live dating August 27, 2022. He was asked to recommend an anime that he was watching recently and added this to his list.

The one that I enjoyed recently…these days, I enjoyed Uncle from Another World, I saw Komi Can’t Communicate, I saw Jujutsu Kaisen, and I saw Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, and I saw Made in Abyss.

— Woozi

ATEEZ’s Mingi

ATEEZ‘s Mingi, meanwhile, talked about liking Made in Abyss during a fancall, naming it one of his favorite anime shows of all time.

Made In Abyss. It’s one of my absolute favorite animes of all time. But it is a bit grotesque.

— Mingi

DEX

Finally, YouTuber and Singles Inferno 3 contestant DEX (Kim Jin Young) was open about enjoying Made in Abyss in one of his videos. He particularly loved the “bizarre” and mind-blowing plot twist.

Personally, I have an anime that I’d like to recommend…it’s called Made In Abyss.

— DEX

Though author Akihito Tsukushi hasn’t been charged with any crime as of now, he is considered problematic in the anime space. Even fans acknowledged that he’s a “sick genius” who should finish the manga before he “goes to jail for pedophilia.”

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They noted that he’s a “lolicon” (an adult who is sexually attracted specifically to prepubescent girls) based on his artwork and questionable interviews, such as keeping an elementary school girl’s uniform displayed in his room and smelling the stuffed toy version of one of his child characters daily.

This is not the first time manga authors had a history with child pornography. In 2017, the author of the series Rurouni Kenshin was arrested for the possession of pornographic images of underage girls.

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