Just days ago, Japanese publisher Akita Shoten made headlines for its brilliant construction hoarding. While their headquarters underwent renovation, they decked out the site with a massive display featuring a classic scene from their hit manga, "Baki" – "The Strongest Father-Son Fight on Earth." The clever move aimed to transform the usual drab construction look and successfully drew crowds of fans eager to check it out.
But then, today (March 27) afternoon, multiple media outlets reported a building fire in Tokyo's Iidabashi area, Chiyoda Ward. The suspected origin? None other than Akita Shoten's old headquarters building, currently undergoing reconstruction. Fans are now seriously worried, wondering if the "father-son fight" somehow manifested into a real-life disaster...
▼ Unsurprisingly, related terms like "Iidabashi fire" and "father-son fight" quickly shot up Japan's X (formerly Twitter) trending topics this afternoon.
According to Japan's Oricon News, the fire reportedly broke out in a building that was being demolished. The Tokyo Fire Department confirmed one injury but no one trapped inside. Firefighters on the scene are urging the public to stay clear to avoid hindering rescue efforts.
The news immediately sparked widespread concern online. Netizens commented: "This is definitely not something to joke about...", "Iidabashi fire, hope no one's trapped...", "At first, I thought it was just another Hanma father-son discussion, but it's a real fire, I'm shocked!", "Wishing everyone on site is safe."
Still, some users couldn't help but wonder: "Is this the destructive power of 'Baki' itself?" After all, just days prior, Akita Shoten had publicly declared: "Due to the strongest father-son battle in history, our headquarters building has collapsed." The timing, they noted, was... eerily coincidental.
Considering the sign had only been up for two days, while there are no reported fatalities, many netizens remain deeply concerned.
Footage from the scene captured by netizens.
Naturally, with the incident unfolding, there's also concern about the fate of the "Strongest Father-Son Fight" signboard itself. Police, firefighters, and relevant authorities are currently investigating the full details to determine the cause of the fire.