Casting of Scarlett Johansson in anime adaptation called 'whitewashing'

The studio behind the live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga series Ghost in the Shell released the first image of star Scarlett Johansson in the role of Maj. Motoko Kusanagi, leading to a new wave of accusations of "whitewashing" the Asian character.

Ghost in the Shell follows cyborg counter-terrorism operatives around futuristic Japanese city

John Bowman CBC News Posted: Apr 15, 2016 10:52 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 15, 2016

The studio behind the live-action adaptation of the Japanese mangaseries Ghost in the Shell released the first image of star Scarlett Johansson in the role of Maj.Motoko Kusanagi, leading to a new wave of accusations of "whitewashing" the Asian character.

First look at Scarlett Johansson as Major Motoko Kusanagi in live action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell..thoughts? pic.twitter.com/9IQlnnIqZM
—@FanBrosShow

Ghost in the Shell is a dystopiancrime story set in 21st-century Japan, in which Maj. Kusanagi is acyberneticallyenhancedcounter-terroristoperative hunting a dangerous hacker.

But despite the setting and the provenance of the story, most of the roles in Dreamworks' adaptation were given to non-Asian actors.

1 thng is clear from our mentions today--yall do NOT like ScarJo as Motoko. What abt everyone else? #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/FGkaAaYo0x
—@FanBrosShow

Ming-Na Wen who, like Johansson, plays a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was one of the most prominent voices speaking out against the casting, which was originally announced in January 2015.

Nothing against Scarlett Johansson. In fact, I'm a big fan. But everything against this Whitewashing of Asian role. https://t.co/VS6r6iish9
—@MingNa

I like Scarlett Johansson as an actress, but she already has Black Widow. She didn't need to take an Asian heroine from an Asian actress.
—@HelenaWayneBlog

I'm a huge Scarlett Johansson fan, don't get me wrong, but really, Hollywood? You couldn't find an Asian actress for Ghost in the Shell?
—@ChrisWarcraft

Nina Mohan, a writer at BuzzFeed, wryly referenced another movie, Aloha, recently criticized for casting a white actor, Emma Stone, in an Asian role, Allison Ng.

Honestly, why couldn't they have gotten an actual Asian actress? Is Emma Stone that busy? pic.twitter.com/0UZySSN4vb
—@NinaLMohan

Asian actors,filmmakers particularly stung by the casting

As an AA actor, I won't be watching GHOST IN THE SHELL. I love ScarJo, but there are no Asian stars of her caliber b/c they don't get CAST.
—@realabrahamlim

Ghost in the Shell was one of the most important movies to my brother and me growing up. It really does hurt to see it get this treatment.
—@jfwong

Scarlett Johansson is a good actress. But when's the last time you saw a major Hollywood film with an Asian lead not named Pacific Rim?
—@ShizukaSam

The Asian lead in Pacific Rim was played byRinko Kikuchi, whom many named as theirpreferenceto play Maj. Kusanagi.

But honestly there should be an Asian actress as the Major. Lots of great ones to choose from. Such as... (2/2) pic.twitter.com/1oZAv9fkcX
—@VenomousFatman1

This is a photograph of Rinko Kikuchi next to a drawing of Motoko Kusanagi of GHOST IN THE SHELL. #AsianActorsExist pic.twitter.com/Fd0e2ZEmoF
—@bryanedwardhill

I love Rinko Kikuchi too, but she isnt carrying a big budget SF movie. Id rather have live action GiTS w/Scarlett than no live action GiTS
—@PG_jp

There were some who didn't see an issue with casting a white actor in a Japanese role, with this person pointing out that Kusanagias drawn in the manga and anime doesn't look particularly Asian.

"Hmm I think an Asian actress could come the closest" said no casting director in the history of ever pic.twitter.com/hJCtggDOpC
—@Nwanu

But this observation ignores the historical influence of Western animation, particularly of Walt Disney, on Asian illustrators and animators.

The movie is scheduled for release on March 31, 2017.

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Casting of Scarlett Johansson in anime adaptation called 'whitewashing'

Ghost in the Shell follows cyborg counter-terrorism operatives around futuristic Japanese city

Asian actors,filmmakers particularly stung by the casting

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