⚖️ The Balance of Accuracy in a World of Opinions

With the rise of the internet and social media, anyone can broadcast their thoughts to a wide audience. That’s a remarkable shift—once reserved for broadcasters, publishers, or those with institutional access, public expression is now open to all. Minority voices and unconventional perspectives finally have a platform.

But with that freedom comes noise. Especially from those who ignore basic etiquette or the responsibility that comes with public speech. The easiest—and most harmful—form of engagement is criticism. And when criticism becomes a shortcut to validation, it’s a problem.

Some say, “I’m just voicing what everyone’s thinking,” or “I’m trying to make things better by pointing out flaws.” But that’s the same logic used to justify bullying. Let’s be clear: people who constantly criticize are everywhere, and most of their opinions miss the mark. You don’t need to take them seriously.

🧠 The “That’s Not Realistic” Trap

In creative circles, one common critique is: “That would never happen in real life.”

The correct response?
“This isn’t real life.”

If someone says, “That courtroom scene couldn’t happen under Japanese law,” or “This profession isn’t portrayed accurately,” and they’re speaking from direct experience, then sure—add a disclaimer if needed. But don’t let it derail your work.

I once saw someone criticize the film Abunai Deka for being “unrealistic” because the detectives didn’t behave like real cops. Yet the Kanagawa Prefectural Police actually collaborated with the film for promotional posters. So much for realism.

If someone criticizes your work—or a work you love—for being “unrealistic,” feel free to ignore it. And if you catch yourself making that critique, pause and ask: is this really a flaw, or just fiction doing its job?

📚 The Honest Struggle with Realism

From a creator’s perspective, reality has undeniable power. It helps immerse the audience. That’s why writers research, interview, and draw from personal experience. It’s not just hard work—it’s also a way to gather story ideas.

Even when writing freely, describing places you’ve been or things you’ve done is easier and more vivid. For example, if you’ve walked through a forest, you know to watch for spider webs in the underbrush, or how uneven terrain forces your gaze downward. These details make scenes feel real.

But too much research can be a trap. Author Natsuhiko Kyogoku once said he looked up historical weather records to match the setting of “Tokyo in Showa-era March.” He laughed about it later—but it shows how obsessive accuracy can slow you down.

If you can write smoothly, you don’t need to research everything upfront. Instead, write first. Then, if something feels off, research and revise. That’s a more efficient creative rhythm.

🎬 Fiction Speaks Truth Through Lies

Whether it’s a film, novel, or comic—even if it’s based on real events—it’s still fiction. The moment you select and shape facts into a narrative, it stops being reality.

Take conspiracy-themed stories. Believing them as fact is dangerous. But dismissing them entirely as “just fiction” misses the point. These stories can be thought experiments, moral provocations, or even training simulations.

For example, pandemic-themed films have long imagined global outbreaks. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, people were suddenly living in masks. Some criticized older films for not showing masked civilians, saying, “See? It’s just fiction.” But those same films often portrayed panic, social breakdown, and discrimination with eerie accuracy.

Audiences might feel anger at characters who act selfishly or irrationally. But in real life, those same behaviors emerged. Fiction can teach us—even when it’s not trying to.

Even simple fables carry lessons. So of course films do too.

And the beauty is, the creator doesn’t need to intend it. If the audience is open, the message lands naturally—often more effectively than preachy moral dramas.

But you’ll never receive that insight if you’re busy nitpicking what “couldn’t happen.”

🧩 Internal Consistency Is Enough

So what should creators focus on?

Not whether something could happen in real life—but whether it makes sense within the story’s world.

That’s the key to believability.

If a character acts recklessly without reason, audiences get frustrated. If another character is overly pessimistic, they might feel annoyed. But if there’s even a hint of backstory or motivation—something that justifies the behavior—the world suddenly feels real.

It doesn’t matter if it’s realistic. It matters if it’s coherent.

That’s the magic of storytelling.

✍️ Let Fiction Be Free—Then Ground It

In creative writing, let your momentum guide you. Enjoy the freedom of invention. Then, add internal logic to make it feel real. If needed, research and refine.

That’s how you balance imagination and authenticity.

Hope this helps.