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Ghost in the Shell's latest critic: its own viral marketing tool

Ghost in the Shell's latest critic: its own viral marketing tool

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Ghost in the Shell promotional image
Paramount Pictures

Ghost in the Shell will hit theaters in just over two weeks, and fans of the original, as well as online observers, are already gearing up for a fight. Paramount recently launched an online campaign to promote the film at IAmMajor.me, allowing anyone to upload photos of themselves and add bold, affirmative statements like “I Am The Best At Nickelrolling.” It was supposed to be some light fun.

It did not go well. Instead, fans took to Twitter to highlight how the film not only whitewashes Motoko Kusanagi, but also how it is also an example of white feminism:

It didn’t stop there. Using the #IAmMajor hashtag, users also used the tool to mock other movies and TV shows guilty of whitewashing and using the white savior trope, like Dragonball Evolution, The Last Airbender, and Iron Fist:

Sorry, Paramount. When the fun your viral campaign brings is largely at your expense, then something might just be wrong. Ghost in the Shell debuts on March 31st.