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Petition Gets 17,000 Signatures to Love Live! Sunshine's Chika as Oranges Ambassador

The appointed the ambassador of Nishiura oranges, a specialty food item of the Numazu region where the story of Love Live! Sunshine!! is set.

The Twitter posted an original illustration of Chika holding an orange. A number of replies to the tweet have criticized the drawing for revealing the outline of Chika's crotch. While the reason for removing the wasn't explicitly stated, many have assumed it was due to complaints about the artwork. Fan "Shoto To" was disappointed in the decision and filed a petition on Change.org to illustrate for the character and the campaign. The petition firmly outlines that its purpose is not necessarily to reinstall the itself or voice disagreement with criticism of the image, but to gather ers in one place and present the petition to show that the exists.

"There is always something that people will think is socially unpleasant, and they have the freedom to state that it makes them uncomfortable if that's how they feel, but isn't it wrong to try to use that ability to remove it?" The petition reads, "If it's something where not speaking out might threaten your life or the life of others, then you should raise your voice immediately. But this is a case where 'the illustration is inappropriate' and it doesn't cause harm to someone's life or livelihood so isn't pushing to remove it overkill?" The petition writer goes on to say that commenting on the internet to express displeasure is one thing, but going as far as filing complaints over this issue was a problem.

The petition states that JA Nansun, an agricultural cooperative based in Numazu, made the decision to remove the exhibition because the LaLaport Numazu shopping center was flooded with complaints.

As of this writing, the petition has garnered over 17,000 signatures.

The controversy didn't stop financial for Nishiura oranges. The produce, which came in Chika shipping boxes with a mini paper craft of the character and the tie-in lemonade featuring Chika are both sold out. Fans can still buy 5kg boxes of the oranges (sans Chika box) and Kinkan kumquats (also sans Chika branding).

The debate has sparked comparisons to No-Rin character in a sensual pose after receiving complaints that it was inappropriate.

The Love Live! Sunshine!! project was first Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow opened on January 4, 2019.

[Via Otakomu]