A scene from an animated version of a popular Japanese comic book has sparked an outcry in the Muslim world, where some fear it could fuel a backlash not seen since European publications carried cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
Shueisha Inc., a Japanese publisher involved in the production of the "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" comic book and its animated versions, said Thursday it has suspended sales of some of the original "manga" and the DVD series.
A Shueisha press official said the material was not intended to be offensive and was the result of none of the animators knowing Arabic in 2001.
At issue is a 90-second "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" video segment that depicts Dio Brando, a villain, picking up a Quran from a bookshelf and apparently examining it as he orders the execution of the hero and his friends.