Why This Topic Landed in Japan
Ohtani is followed in Japan as a daily national sports story, so any record-like performance immediately spreads. By contrast, a Western celebrity's vegan argument is easily read as interference with food culture and as another example of moral pressure from abroad.
Key Reaction Themes
- Admiration for Ohtani's output — Commenters treated his pitching and MVP race as part of a continuing national success story.
- Caution around ranking claims — The "best in MLB" framing needs context because innings thresholds and WAR definitions matter.
- Rejection of moral pressure — Billie Eilish's meat comments were read less as personal belief than as a demand placed on others.
What Japanese Netizens Are Saying
- "Ohtani is first in ERA and WAR across MLB. Is he already running away with the MVP race?"
- "This reminds me of Kuwata from the Giants: 'The ball is my friend!'"
- "Talking to yourself creates a rhythm that lets you analyze yourself objectively."
- "Billie Eilish, with a body like that, saying she is vegan is not very persuasive."
- "Saying 'I love animals, cows and dogs are the same' somehow does not feel loving."
- "That oversimplifies things too much. Some groups, like Arctic peoples or Mongolians, can only survive through meat-heavy diets."
- "Even if you imposed it equally, it would not be fair to people with grain allergies. Rights can kill people too."
- "In reality, poultry is what boosts the number of animals the most."
- "She is overcomplicating this. Please do not force it on others."
- "Comment number one, commemorative post."