Renowned game creator Hideo Kojima recently addressed a controversy involving a photograph with Italian cartoonist Michele “Zerocalcare” Rech, taken at Lucca Comics And Games 2025. Following the event, Kojima removed an image of their meeting from social media, prompting speculation about the reason behind the deletion.
Unexpected Controversy Arises
The photo, now removed, captured Kojima with Rech, who is known for graphic novels such as “Kobane Calling” and “No Sleep Till Shengal.” These works explore the challenges faced by war-torn regions and express sympathy for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, a group accused by some of recruiting child soldiers. Despite this, the U.S. has aligned with the YPG against ISIS, contrasting with Turkey’s stance, which labels the YPG a terrorist organization due to connections with the PKK.
The photo’s circulation in Turkish media led to speculation about Kojima’s potential endorsement of Rech’s views, which seemingly conflict with themes from the Metal Gear series. Responding to the uproar, Kojima deleted the image and issued a public statement.
Kojima’s Clarification
In a recent statement, Kojima Productions clarified:
We would like to clarify the facts regarding the photo featuring Hideo Kojima and Italian cartoonist Zerocalcare as follows:
There is no personal or professional relationship between the two individuals. The photo was taken briefly at the Lucca Comics & Games venue after a short introduction through an acquaintance. Neither Mr. Kojima nor KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS had any prior knowledge or understanding of Mr. Zerocalcare’s works or political positions, and there was no intention to express agreement with, or support for, any particular stance or opinion.
In light of certain misunderstandings that have arisen in some media reports and on social networks, we would like to take this opportunity to accurately convey the facts.
Reports indicate that Rech also responded by releasing his own video, explaining to media outlets that sharing the novel with Kojima was the publisher’s decision, not his. “I opened the internet and saw two hundred Turkish sites saying that Kojima had published a post in favor of terrorism,” Rech explained, highlighting the misunderstanding.
Despite Kojima’s prompt actions to remove the photo and clarify his position, the incident sparked discussions among fans, especially given Kojima’s creation of the Kurdish character Sniper Wolf in Metal Gear Solid. This unforeseen incident underscores the complexities of global perceptions and the delicate nature of public figures navigating international issues.
Photo by Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty Images.