This weekend could have been a 'One Piece' bash. Otakus, cosplayers, and casual anime fans alike were getting ready for a 'One Piece' exhibit held by the museum War Memorial of Korea. Featuring life-size statues of the characters as well as extra sketches by the creator Eiichiro Oda himself, the exhibit was to open Saturday and celebrate the wildly popular manga and anime series.

Until, that is, someone pointed out that dreaded image, the one that gets the torches and pitchforks out--the rising sun.

This discovery in the manga has provoked a number of protests against the 'One Piece' exhibit, as well as animosity towards the series itself.

For those who are unaware of the rising sun symbol--it is the image of the Japanese military flag. It is considered highly offensive in Korea because to Koreans (and other East Asian nations), it represents Japanese aggression during the occupation of East Asia. Between 1910 and 1945, Korea, among other Asian countries, was occupied by Japan. Japan notoriously led an oppressive reign, restricting the citizens from celebrating their own culture or speaking in their own language, and forcing its countrymen to fight as soldiers and comfort women to provide sexual services. 

Although it has been decades since this tragedy and the dynamics between the two countries have changed, the bitterness over these past events is still very much alive. The fact that the symbol can still be seen here and there throughout Japanese culture is considered to be an insensitive offense to Koreans.

That being said, the War Memorial museum has responded to complaints that it will not feature such images at the exhibit. However, out of concern for potential protests, the museum has now canceled the exhibit altogether.