Social media posts combining images from the “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” movies, dubbed the ‘Barbenheimer’ meme, have sparked outrage in Japan. Critics argue that the memes trivialize the devastating atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Both the ‘Barbie’ movie and Universal Pictures’ ‘Oppenheimer’, a biographical film about Robert Oppenheimer, who played a significant role in developing the atomic bomb, were released on July 21 in the United States. Following the release, ‘Barbenheimer’ memes began circulating on social media, some showing Margot Robbie’s Barbie character sitting on the shoulders of Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer, against a backdrop of an atomic blast.
The official Barbie account responded to these memes with comments like, “It’s going to be a summer to remember,” which sparked backlash in Japan. The reaction was particularly strong as Japan remains the only country to have suffered from atomic attacks. The hashtag #NoBarbenheimer trended on social media as angry messages called for a boycott of the ‘Barbie’ movie.
Warner Bros. Japan, the Japanese distributor of the ‘Barbie’ movie, issued a statement apologizing for the insensitive reactions. The company clarified that the ‘Barbenheimer’ blitz was not part of an official company campaign and expressed regret for its parent company’s lack of sensitivity in responding to the memes.
This incident serves as a reminder of the need for cultural sensitivity, especially when dealing with historical events of such magnitude and tragedy. It underscores the importance of respectful communication across different cultures and societies in a globalized world.