A few days after a Japanese television network attempted to link Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword with the deadly rampage of 24-year-old Masahiro Kanagawa, Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi has criticized the Japanese media for "making assumptions" about the game's involvement in the tragedy. A copy of the title was found in Kanagawa's bag when he was arrested.Speaking through a translator, Hayashi argued that the media "should not be the ones answering the questions or defining the reasons why this incident happened," yet was keen to point out that he wasn't defending either Team Ninja or Ninja Gaiden. "That's just my message from me to the media," he said, adding, "The media can report on these tragedies but they shouldn't just assume or lead into a question that doesn't have a definitive answer."
Entirely wise sentiments, of course, but we fear that they'll have little impact, at least while idle sensationalism sells newspapers and bumps ratings. This one could run and run, folks.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-28-2008 @ 7:12PM
FantomRedux said...
Would they blame it on Pokémon if he had a copy of Pearl in his bag? All I'm gonna say...
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3-28-2008 @ 8:07PM
Tom said...
They would blame it on "Super Happy Bunnies Playing With Rays of Sunshine" if it was in his bag. They just need to find a scapegoat for trageties.
3-28-2008 @ 10:42PM
FantomRedux said...
I can see it now. "Man can't deal with insanity after playing ultra-cute childrens game" or "Man vomits to death after playing ultra-cute game"
Just the kinda thing I can see on Fox
3-28-2008 @ 8:28PM
Broco Lee said...
How stupid can the mass media be??
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3-28-2008 @ 9:08PM
David D. said...
Very.
They'll get whatever sensationalist crap they can get their grubby little hands, on it, make it even more dramatic and overblown, and "inform" you about it.
3-28-2008 @ 11:38PM
hvnlysoldr said...
He handled it better than I would have. (cleans inferior mass media "journalist" blood off broadsword)
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3-29-2008 @ 1:11AM
Eleniel said...
Hayashi: "Totally not your job, guys. Just sayin'."
Kick ass, Hayashi-san. Kick ass.
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3-29-2008 @ 11:35AM
TheCoats said...
LOVE NINJA GAIDEN....haven't stabbed anyone........yet
The point here is really how did this weirdo fall through the cracks........He's obviously on drugs or crazy and video games are not a babysitter..........allthough he was like 24....
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3-29-2008 @ 12:21PM
TheOverlord#2 (will beat you with Toon Link!)(1461-5875-9923) said...
Why doesn't the media just say, "Boy Killed" and report about it instead of saying, "Boy killed, killer had RE4 in his bag and needed some Red Herbs"
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