This weekend, Terrace House star and professional wrestler Hana Kimura died at the age of 22 years old. Fans around the world were saddened to hear of her sudden passing.
Note: If you are ever considering taking your own life, please know that there are people who will listen and can help.
Hailing from a wrestling family, Hana made her debut in 2016, and one of the reasons why she wanted to join the popular Terrace House series was to get people interested in wrestling. Stardom, the wrestling organisation to which Kimura belonged, issued a statement about her passing and while the cause of death hasn’t yet been officially announced, as of writing, it’s believed she died by suicide.
I think we all owe it to Hana to get Stardom as mainstream in the west as we did New Japan.#HanaKimura pic.twitter.com/C1BzDsvDci
— Tyler-KUN (@TylerWilliamsYT) May 23, 2020
As the current Terrace House season aired, Kimura experienced online harassment, which is thought to have contributed to her death. As Deadspin points out, this has brought new attention to cyberbullying. According to Asahi News, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama tweeted that Japan should consider punishment for targeted, severe online bullying.
Even top govt. spokesman Suga comments on the death of #HanaKimura, stressing the need for boosting education on internet literacy as a measure against vitriolic language onlinehttps://t.co/lalJrhALgS
— Tomohiro Osaki (@jt_osaki) May 25, 2020
Kimura appeared on the latest season of Terrace House, which is set in Tokyo. Production was halted in April due to the novel coronavirus virus and has once again been suspended after Kimura’s death. According to the show’s official Japanese Twitter, episodes 43 and 44 were slated for Japanese TV on May 25 and 26 but won’t be aired. These episodes were also scheduled for Netflix, but according to the Netflix Japan account, the streaming of future episodes will be suspended. The US-based Netflix Twitter has yet to make a statement on the status of Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020.
Sponichi Annex quotes one Japanese TV insider as saying that considering the circumstances it will be “difficult” for the show to continue airing even on Japanese TV, something another TV insider also pointed out.
Terrace House cast members have written lengthy, emotional messages to Kimura on their social network accounts. Reina Triendl, one of the show’s hosts, wrote the following message in both Japanese and English:
The wrestling world has reacted to Kimura’s sudden passing:
Hana Kimura was 22.
Please let that sink in…22. She had her whole life in front of her.
Online bullying should not be part of life.
It damn sure should not be part of death.Hana Kimura was 22. #RIPHanaKimura pic.twitter.com/xKTBYzaoIt
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) May 23, 2020
I didn’t personally know Hana Kimura, but it’s still very painful to learn about what happened.
When it comes to cyber bullying – don’t do it, don’t partake in it, and do not respond to it…Stand for something better.
My heart is with all of her fans, friends, and family. ❤️
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) May 24, 2020
I hope I never hear someone describe..
“negative online comments”
as
“part of the job”…. ever again
Because it shouldn’t have to be.
R.I.P. Hana Kimura
— Ethan Page played by Julian (@OfficialEGO) May 23, 2020
Please no more victim blaming “don’t let it get to you” advice.
I hope people can use resources and their support system before harming themselves.
But the people who need to change their behavior are the bullies.
You ARE responsible for your words and actions.#HanaKimura pic.twitter.com/rsH05j6AL2
— Kelly Klein (@RealKellyKlein) May 23, 2020
I am completely sick to my stomach about the news of @hanadayo0903 This cyber bullying needs to stop! She had a bright future. I am so sorry Hana. #RipHanaKimura #HanaKimura
— Jessicka Havok (@FearHavok) May 23, 2020
I tried to hold my laughter but once she said “I’m so muscle”, I couldn’t hold in the giggle.
That happened a lot around Hana. #HanaKimura pic.twitter.com/LMHZJ5WyZj
— Kelly Klein (@RealKellyKlein) May 23, 2020
Fans have been remembering Kimura with tributes and illustrations.
Rest In Peace#HanaKimura ???? pic.twitter.com/0ZbFsdZ64j
— Tony Romo (@wtfgfx) May 23, 2020
Be better. Be kind.
May you rest in peace.#HanaKimura pic.twitter.com/UtocrtlnFj
— NWAGirlPowerrr (@NWAGirlPowerrr) May 23, 2020
Lost for words. #HanaKimura ???? pic.twitter.com/AVE50aN7oQ
— EVE – Riot Grrrls of Wrestling (@ProWrestlingEVE) May 23, 2020
Although Hana Kimura was absurdly tough in the ring, in reality it seems she was a super sweet and sensitive girly-girl. She was a prodigious athlete who wanted to find love. pic.twitter.com/bJYqM6WCeY
— DJ ACCIDENT REPORT (@eric_shorey) May 23, 2020
People really need to be kinder to one another. Please stop the bullying. It doesn’t cost a thing to treat people with kindness. This is very sad. ????#RIPHanaKimura #HanaKimura pic.twitter.com/Fg3llepCto
— Katrina Ca$h~ Katrina Storm (@KatrinaCashXVPW) May 23, 2020
Farewell to #HanaKimura pic.twitter.com/TvFql0ILW5
— Matías Bergara (@matiasbergara) May 24, 2020
May she rest in peace.
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