Argentine television has starred in one of the year’s most shameful misinformation episodes, unleashing the fury of the otaku and gamer community. Various news outlets have been heavily criticized after suggesting, without any basis, that the acclaimed anime Sousou no Frieren and the popular video game Genshin Impact were responsible for the tragic suicide of Maitena, a 14-year-old teenager in Buenos Aires province.

Disinformation and sensationalism in national television

Authorities confirmed that the death was a personal decision, with no signs of violence or third-party incitement. However, media outlets decided to ignore urgent issues like mental health to find an easy scapegoat in the young girl’s hobbies. On broadcast television, a program falsely described Genshin Impact as a game where “you win if you follow steps to end your life and leave letters,” a completely delusional claim about a fantasy and exploration title. Worse yet, other segments claimed that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End transmits “depressive messages” that incite tragedy.

Community debunks the accusations

As expected, social media erupted. Fans quickly debunked the press’s outrageous statements. They explained that Sousou no Frieren is, in fact, a beautiful and reflective story about the value of life, the grieving process, and the importance of human connections. For its part, Genshin Impact does not have any mechanics that encourage self-harm.

Users severely criticized the hypocrisy of the media, which historically has a pattern of stigmatizing the world of anime and video games whenever a tragedy occurs, evading the responsibility of discussing the real mental health problems that young people face today. While the investigation finalizes its details completely ruling out third-party involvement, the community continues to demand responsible journalism that stops demonizing digital entertainment.