Masao from Crayon Shin-chan Faces Online Backlash as Netizens Call Him the “Worst Teammate”

(Taipei, July 27) Japanese anime Crayon Shin-chan has unexpectedly become a trending topic on social media, with discussions centring not on Shin-chan himself, but on his timid friend Masao. Fans have been revisiting scenes from the TV series and movies, sparking heated debates over the character's behaviour.

The discussion began after a Threads user compiled what they described as Masao's "dark history," arguing that he often lets his friends down when faced with danger, temptation or situations that threaten his own interests.

Examples cited include scenes from films such as The Glorious Storm-invoking Yakiniku Road, The Legend Called: Dance! Amigo! and Kung Fu Boys, where Masao hesitates, loses confidence or changes his stance at crucial moments. As a result, many labelled him the teammate most likely to "let the group down."

The viral post prompted fans to recall other memorable moments, including Masao revealing information about his friends in exchange for candy, throwing away a handkerchief from his mother to impress Ai, secretly hiding food in B-Class Gourmet Survival, and complaining about meals prepared by Misae.

Some also pointed to his tendency to belittle Bo-chan's collections, panic easily and cry frequently, arguing that these traits make him an unreliable companion.

However, many others defended the character, noting that Masao is intentionally written as an insecure and timid five-year-old child. They argued that judging a children's anime character by adult standards overlooks the purpose of realistic character development and personal growth within the series.