Recently, Weekly
Logistics News published a report about a transportation manager
in Shizuoka, Japan, regarding the portrayal of trucks in media such as isekai
anime, television series, and movies. This manager has pointed out that trucks
often appear to cause fatal accidents , which could be
generating erroneous perceptions and unjustified fears towards these
vehicles , negatively affecting the image of the logistics industry.
Despite understanding the importance of creative
freedom and storytelling, the manager suggests that this type of representation
is influencing the formation of fears and aversions towards trucks and
their drivers . He argues that since anime and manga are consumed by a
wide audience, including children, such stories may encourage discrimination
against transportation organizations . As an example, he mentions that
some wives and parents prevent young people from getting jobs in the
transportation industry.
Internet users have shown empathy towards the
manager's situation, although they also understand why the isekai genre uses
trucks to eliminate characters. Being hit by a car is less likely to be
fatal compared to a truck, and trains, since they follow fixed routes, are not
as accident-prone. In Japan, large trucks are taught to avoid due to
their weight and potential instability, making it natural for them to be used
as a narrative device.
To counter negative opinions about trucks, the
Shizuoka manager hopes that content creators will consider presenting
the transportation industry in a more positive light . Despite the
manager's company's efforts to spread positive information about
drivers and logistics work through social media, he mentioned that
fighting negative perception is a huge challenge.
- « Seen
this way, trucks are the most logical option, since they can crush a light
car like a press or run over a group of schoolchildren, which only a truck
could do. However, for this very reason, transportation companies should
highlight their safety efforts. Although other companies allow reckless
operating plans or overloads, if a company shows that it prioritizes
safety, it will be easier for employees to convince their families to work
there .
- « It
is obvious that a vehicle weighing more than 20 tons is dangerous.
"Someone should tell the lady crossing behind a truck making delivery
maneuvers that she is not going to be reincarnated in another world if she
is run over ."
- « To
express the tragedy of an accidental death, trucks are the best option.
Manufacturers and the trucking industry aren't complaining because even if
they did, it wouldn't change anything. If viewers develop a bad image of
trucks, it is because they do not understand and that can be ignored.
Instead, it is better to improve working conditions to improve public
image .
- « Discriminating
against drivers by saying that they are violent is one thing, but it is
natural to be more careful with trucks because they are dangerous. It is
difficult to change the perception of a large and fast vehicle as
something positive .
- « My
car was crushed by a truck. The driver did not call the emergency services
or apologize, he just called his company .
- " In
action or tokusatsu series, trucks are destroyed, and that doesn't seem to
be a problem ."
Source: AutomatonMedia , Weekly
Logistics News
