Anime fans live bulletproof. We are used to studio changes between seasons that completely ruin our favorite series. Also to sudden cancellations that are heavier than those from Netflix. And, of course, to the fateful filler in fictions like Naruto, which completely destroy our experience as viewers.
But there is something much darker that has haunted us since our earliest childhood: hoaxes and urban legends. Since we were in the schoolyard, we repeated over and over stories that were told to us about tragic endings and crazy plot twists from series like Doraemon or Dragon Ball. And these are the 5 most tragic that we have remembered:
1. Oliver and Benji: the dream of a child without legs
One of the most well-known urban legends states that Oliver Atom, the protagonist of Captain Tsubasa (Oliver and Benji or Champions), was hit by a truck in the first chapter, losing both legs. According to this theory, the entire series would be a dream that Oliver had while he was in a coma in the hospital. This story became popular on the internet through the very first chapter, in which we see a truck crossing his path. But it is completely a hoax; and in fact, there are continuations of Oliver’s story as he grows up and lives very happily playing for FC Barcelona.
2. Doraemon: the fantasy of a child with a terminal illness
A similar theory directly touches on Doraemon, one of the most popular Japanese series of all time. According to what has been discussed, Doraemon is simply a fantasy of Nobita, a boy in a coma who imagines the cosmic cat and all his adventures to escape his reality. Some versions even claim that Nobita suffers from a terminal illness and that everything experienced with Doraemon is a product of his imagination.
The curious thing is that this theory had such an impact that a false “alternative ending” drawn by fans was even created, in which Nobita wakes up from the coma and thanks Doraemon for his company. That apocryphal comic went viral on the internet and for years it was believed to be authentic. However, in fact, the series doesn’t even have an official ending due to the death of one of its creators.
3. Shin Chan: a tragic story based on real events
Another particularly disturbing theory that circulated in schools claimed that Shin-chan is an anime based on the true story of a mother who, after the death of her son in an accident, began drawing comics to cope with her pain. According to this legend, Shin Chan died trying to save his sister Himawari from a traffic accident, and his mother captured her memories in the form of manga. But nothing could be further from the truth. The creator of the series, Yoshito Usui, never mentioned anything like that, and in fact, it would be strange to imagine a mother honoring her deceased son by having him show his private parts.
4. Pokémon: Pikachu is Ash’s killer
As you can see, it’s not that the kids had too much imagination. Repeated tropes are seen everywhere, and one of them is that Ash Ketchum, the protagonist of Pokémon, has been in a coma since episode 1, when he gets hit by a lightning bolt from Pikachu. In other words, Pikachu is the killer (or almost killer) of Ash. Certainly, more than one of us wouldn’t mind.
This theory tries to explain why Ash doesn’t age and how it’s possible for him to experience such crazy adventures. But it’s not real at all. In fact, Ash moved on and finally became the Pokémon League champion. Still, at the same age as always.
5. Heidi died of sadness after separating from her grandfather
Heidi is one of the most commendable animes in history. It was one of the first pieces worked on by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, co-founders of Studio Ghibli, and it marked a before and after in many countries. But in the dawn of the internet, a theory emerged claiming that the story hides a darker narrative. An urban legend states that Heidi actually died of sadness after being separated from her grandfather and sent to the city, and that everything we see in the series is a fantasy she creates in her final moments.
