Isekai truck deaths accused of sending negative “subliminal messages” about trucks by Japan’s logistics industry 

Weekly Logistics News recently reported on a transportation manager in Shizuoka, Japan who took issue with how trucks seem to be the main cause of fatal accidents in media such as isekai anime, TV series and films. While the manager understands the importance of freedom of expression and storytelling, they suggest that the predominant use of trucks in depicting tragic accidents is leading to misconceptions and misplaced fear about trucks and ruining the logistics industry’s reputation.  

According to the transportation manager, it all boils down to subliminal messaging. He reckons that since media like anime and manga are consumed by various age groups including children, such stories can lead to the formation of fear and aversion towards real-life trucks and their drivers. This causes discrimination towards transportation organizations. As an example, they cite the phenomenon of wives and parents “blocking” young men from getting employed in the industry. 

Netizens have expressed understanding for the transportation manager’s plight, but still see why the isekai genre resorts to using trucks to off characters. Being hit by a car is less likely to result in death than being hit by a truck, and trains run on a set route and aren’t as prone to accidents. Many Japanese are taught to avoid large trucks due to the large weight they carry and their general instability. Since trucks can be found on almost any road, it seems natural for them to be used as a plot device. 

To counteract the negative views on trucks, the Shizuoka-based transportation manager hopes that media creators will consider painting the transportation industry in a better light. Sadly, despite multiple transportation companies’ attempts to spread positive information about drivers and logistics, it seems discrimination towards truck drivers remains a legitimate issue in Japan.