Well, I guess that didnât go as planned, now did it? Then again, maybe it did.
Japanese researcher Haruko Obokata caused one of the biggest science scandals in recent memory after her botched stem-cell research was proven highly questionable. Obokata resigned due to research misconduct, and currently, thereâs talk of criminal charges against her.
Square Enix, it seems, thought it would be a good idea to base a character in browser game Star Galaxy after the scientist. As The Asahi Shimbun reports, the characterâs name was Haruko Oppenheimer, whoâs doing dangerous research, looking for the âultimate cell.â The character even somewhat resembles Obokata. Online, many commenters were quick to point out the similarities.
Square Enix issued an apology for the parody and changed the characterâs name to Jesca Fred, giving her a new research field: weapons. As noted on website Afternoon News, the characterâs appearance, however, was not changed.
Top photo: Square Enix/GirlsChannel
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