Barbenheimer feud: Japanese users fire back with 9/11 MemesThe feud began because of the perceived insensitivity of the Barbenheimer' trend, with Barbie and imagery of a devastating historical event.
by Precious Simpasa
03-08-2023 13:30
in Entertainment
Barbenheimer feud was heated online. Image: Twitter via @Seihy
Japanese social media users lashed out at the Barbenheimer phenomenon, they created memes mocking the 9/11 terrorist attacks in response to the juxtaposition of Barbie with images of the atomic bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the movie poster mashup.
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ALSO READ: Barbenheimer fever!: Barbie vs. Oppenheimer
THE BACKLASH It all started when the official X account for the upcoming Barbie film made a seemingly harmless comment according to The Hollywood Reporter. The comment stated It's going to be a summer to remember' beneath a movie poster collage that combined the toy-inspired flick with Oppenheimer.' Oppenheimer is a film portraying the making of the atomic bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, resulting in the loss of nearly 200,000 Japanese lives.
The poster features Cillian Murphy's portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer holding Margot Robbie's Barbie in front of a fiery mushroom cloud. It quickly garnered attention, but not the kind the creators expected. Japanese X users were deeply offended by the juxtaposition of such a sensitive historical event with a beloved toy character. They did not like Barbenheimer.
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ALSO READ: Barbie reigns: highest-grossing film by a female director!
In response to the Barbenheimer trend, they started creating memes that mock the 11 September 2001, terrorist attacks. The attack resulted in 3,000 innocent lives lost on that tragic day.
BARBENHEIMER FALLS IN JAPAN The hashtag NoBarbenheimer' started trending on social media. Japanese users expressed their outrage at the lack of sensitivity. Especially from some of the American social media users. The memes featured images of the Twin Towers emitting pink smoke, along with captions expressing their disdain for the tasteless Barbenheimer' trend.
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I absolutely can t condone the act of jokingly spreading tweets that make fun of the atomic bombing that killed so many people in Japan. I strongly demand that the related tweets be immediately retracted and deleted. #Berbenheimer #NoBarbenheimer
(@karafune) July 31, 2023
As expected, this global Barbenheimer feud did not escape cynics and controversy enthusiasts. Some defended the American side, arguing that jokes about sensitive topics like 9/11 are not uncommon on US social media. This only fueled the fire further, with some saying that it was disheartening to witness such a callous attitude towards tragedies that had affected so many people.
ALSO READ: Nicki Minaj Shines Bright at the Barbie' Movie Premiere [photos]
Barbenheimer made some Japanese Tweeps upset. Image: Instagram @barben_heimer CULTURAL INSENSITIVITY The Barbenheimer clash sadly coincides with the upcoming anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August, respectively. The timing added an extra layer of emotional sensitivity to the already heated situation. It created even more anger among Japanese users.
#NoBarbenheimer
The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed more than 500,000 people. Some people melted away in an moment, while others died after suffering for a long time from radiation. What is the "a summer to remember" that official SNS joke as the meme?
(@e_smpr2) July 30, 2023
We don't know how this online feud will impact the performance of both films in Japan. It is clear that the issue extends far beyond the realm of entertainment. It raises important questions about cultural sensitivity, humour about historical events, and the responsibilities of companies and social media accounts in their engagements.
ALSO READ: Barbie Live-Action' movie: The second trailer has officially been released
PATH TO HEALING As the global feud continues, it serves as a stark reminder that jokes about sensitive topics can have dire consequences, often leading to intense emotions and leaving lasting scars. Perhaps this serves as an opportunity for both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue and learn from each other's perspectives, promoting empathy and understanding across cultural boundaries.
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Barbenheimer feud: Japanese users fire back with 9/11 MemesThe feud began because of the perceived insensitivity of the Barbenheimer' trend, with Barbie and imagery of a devastating historical event. 
