Why the “Let’s Make Lots of Babies” Line Was So Controversial in CHUNITHM
SEGA’s rhythm game CHUNITHM is currently running a collaboration event with the popular male idol game Ensemble Stars!! in Japan. But what should have been a fun crossover for fans—especially its large female audience—quickly turned into controversy after a certain phrase made its way into the game.
As part of the collaboration, players could unlock special profile titles inspired by Ensemble Stars!! characters. One such line sparked widespread confusion and backlash:
“Let’s make lots of babies and raise a happy family.”
This bizarre phrase was added as a profile title that users could display on their CHUNITHM profiles, prompting many to wonder: why would a rhythm game for women include something like this?
Why the “Let’s Make Lots of Babies” Line Was So Controversial in CHUNITHM
While the line raised eyebrows for its tone, longtime fans of Ensemble Stars!! quickly recognized its origin. The quote comes from a dialogue between the characters Ritsu Sakuma and Mao Isara, where Ritsu jokingly says:
“Thank you, Ma-kun. I’m so happy you feel that way. Let’s make lots of babies and raise a happy family.”
According to fans, the line was meant as a humorous mpreg (male pregnancy) joke referencing the deep—sometimes playful—bonds between male characters in the game. It was never directed at the female players and wasn’t meant to be taken seriously.
However, outside of that context, many saw the phrase as inappropriate or even sexist, given the female-oriented nature of both games. The backlash grew rapidly online, with many users expressing discomfort or confusion.
One fan theory suggests SEGA may not have coordinated properly with Ensemble Stars!! publisher Happy Elements before including certain quotes. It’s possible that the now-infamous line was selected and published without official approval, leading to the need for a fast correction.
In response, SEGA has since replaced the controversial line with a safer alternative:
“The vampire knight keeping watch at night.”
This replacement ties back to Ritsu’s in-game character description and avoids further misunderstandings.
Miscommunication or Poor Judgment? The Community Reacts
Although some fans found the incident hilarious and even shared memes about it, others pointed out that SEGA could have easily chosen a more neutral or iconic quote from Ritsu. The mix-up shows how important context is when referencing niche fandom content in wider releases.
At the end of the day, the situation serves as a reminder that what works in one fandom doesn’t always translate clearly to another — especially when localization, cultural tone, and audience expectations are involved.
via Automaton
