At Hong Kong’s biggest quarterly animation and game event, a group of actresses dressed as Adolf Hitler and European soldiers were spotted saluting the Nazis while a live-streaming number was watching.
The host appears in the online video as the number interviews attendees of Ani-com and Games Hong Kong 2024 next Friday, with some of the attendees dressed as European men and others as Hitler, before performing the Nazi salute.
Hong Kong online system Channel C removed the video and issued an apology the same day, but on social media users criticized the event’s organizer, the actresses, and the host for their lack of sensibility.
” World War II resulted in the deaths of 70 million individuals. This hand sign represents offences against humanity”, one computer user said.
” But the biggest problem is why Hong Kong’s Ani-com and-games allows cosplayers to dress as Nazi German men,” he said.
One customer criticized the actresses for ignoring how dangerous the Nazi regime was.
The customer questioned how anyone could not recognize the topic’s sensitivity and referred to the Nazis as “anti-human.”
The employee’s response to Channel C’s explanation covered the” an unacceptable movement” he made when he saw the Hitler cosplayer near the interview’s conclusion.
We have immediately removed the record of that sector from the life stream in order to address the seriousness of the situation and avoid any improper copy by people. The writer’s steps were improper, and we apologise for this”, it said.
” We none intended to promote or glorify historic crimes, nor did we think to joke about the things”.
Additionally, Channel C issued a warning to its employees about being more careful with their behavior during upcoming live broadcasts.
The Post has contacted In Express Expo, the administrator of the Ani-com and Games Hong Kong 2024, for remark.
Participants may follow figures from anime line and video games, excluding those that are based on adult themes or organized crime groups, according to its guidelines.
Citizens were also not allowed to dress as real-life armed organizations, including but not limited to military personnel, authorities officers, security guards and any outfits resembling genuine armed organisations.
Before being granted a bracelet for unlimited access to the game’s primary place, attendees are also required to finalize their cosplay attire and provide an image for a simple costume inspection by staff.
The user may be disqualified without giving an excuse if a patient’s mask or props are deemed hastily prepared or unnecessarily revealing during the analysis by experienced cosplayers.
In many nations, particularly in some of Europe, the Nazi salute and related symbols are prohibited legally.
In response to a rise in antisemitic incidents following the Israel-Gaza war, Australia passed similar laws in January, giving the act a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison.
Fashion retailer Izzue faced backlash in 2003 due to complaints and public outcry from the Israeli and German consulates, which led to their demise of 14 stores.
Ernie Chow Shue-fung, the former president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, raises his right arm with a friend while wearing a graduation gown, also in 2016 and the subject of a photo that also sparked discussion.
Chow denied having any specific plans for the photo shoot or disrespecting anyone in it. He added that the pose was made at his friend’s request and that he did not support Nazi ideology or the regime’s historical behavior.