Hideo Kojima Caught in Political Controversy Over Photo—Studio Issues Official Statement
Hennadiy Chemеris
Legendary Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima has found himself at the center of a political controversy after posting—and quickly deleting—a photo with Italian cartoonist Michele "Zerocalcare" Rech at the Lucca Comics & Games 2025 festival. The photo showed Kojima holding the graphic novel "Kobane Calling," which focuses on the conflict in Syria and the Kurdish militia YPG—a group Turkey designates as a terrorist organization due to its ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), while the US considers it an ally in the fight against ISIS.
After Turkish media accused Kojima of "supporting terrorism," the photo quickly sparked outrage on social networks, especially among Turkish users.
In response, Kojima Productions promptly released an official statement, emphasizing that there are no personal or professional ties between Kojima and Zerocalcare, the meeting was purely coincidental, and Kojima is unfamiliar with the cartoonist’s work or political views. The studio stressed that the photo was not intended to endorse any ideology.
We would like to clarify the facts regarding the photo featuring Hideo Kojima and Italian cartoonist Zerocalcare as follows: There is no personal or professional relationship between the two individuals. The photo was taken briefly at the Lucca Comics & Games venue after a short introduction through an acquaintance.
Neither Mr. Kojima nor KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS had any prior knowledge or understanding of Mr. Zerocalcare’s works or political positions, and there was no intention to express agreement with, or support for, any particular stance or opinion.
In light of certain misunderstandings that have arisen in some media reports and on social networks,
we would like to take this opportunity to accurately convey the facts.
Rech later clarified that the book was handed to Kojima at the initiative of the publisher, not at his own request, and condemned the wave of hate directed at the Japanese game designer.
Despite the clarifications, some fans couldn’t help but note the irony of the situation, pointing out that Metal Gear Solid features a Kurdish character—Sniper Wolf.
Previously, Hideo Kojima spoke about a life-changing event that inspired him to create video games.
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