Gerontophobia in a Japanese cartoon: perspectives from plastic surgery

In Korea and Japan, widespread negative perceptions of the elderly reflect deep-seated intergenerational tensions, cultural shifts, and societal inequities.This study explores gerontophobia-a fear or hatred of aging-through Yamano Sharin's manga, The Era of Young Slavery, Youth as Meat, the Old Consume.The manga's striking visual and narrative elements portray exaggerated caricatures of elderly individuals exploiting younger generations, representing systemic inequities in resource allocation, societal burden-sharing, and fractured intergenerational dynamics.The elderly are depicted with distorted, almost monstrous features, reinforcing stereotypes of greed, entitlement, selfishness, and resource dependence.In contrast, the youth are portrayed as physically and emotionally drained, emphasizing their vulnerability, oppression, and exhaustion as laborers in an inequitable system.This artistic inversion critiques societal ideals by questioning the obsessive value placed on youthful beauty and the consequences of an aging population clinging to longevity at the expense of younger generations.Socially, the manga reflects Japan's demographic challenges, depicting the elderly as beneficiaries of disproportionate resources while the youth struggle under economic and emotional exploitation.Ethically, the manga provokes discomfort by portraying aging individuals as dependent stereotypes, prompting readers to reconsider societal values surrounding aging, dignity, and generational equity.From a plastic surgery perspective, the manga critiques the unrealistic pursuit of perpetual youth, urging practitioners to balance aesthetic ideals with authenticity, dignity, and respect for the aging process.This study highlights the urgent need for equitable intergenerational relationships, systemic reform, and a cultural shift valuing aging and youth equitably, rejecting harmful narratives and fostering inclusivity.