Translator’s Note: As an Englishman, the bar for bravery is set quite high – so you must forgive me if I appear rather flippant or disrespectful. Now, to those who have contacted me claiming “Hsu Jui-hsien” (Xu Ruixian) is “transgender” or “gay” – it would seem that he was 27-years old in 2024 and had just recently broken-up with a “girlfriend” (indeed, she tried to sneak her way back into his life – but faced public hostility). Apparently, the attacker – “Hong Jing” – was a “nursing-student” who was carrying three knives, pulling one out in a random attack on an MRT carriage – stabbing and injuring one passenger before being subdued by another – investigators said. He was originally sentenced to 10-years in prison – but during April 2025 – this sentence was reduced to 9-years and 9-months as he showed remorse and offered an apology to his victims. One article states the cut on his face was 9cm longs – whilst another says 15cm. Hong Jing was found guilty of Attempted Murder and Endangering Public Safety. A 17-year old student surnamed Lu (呂) was very badly hurt. He was the first victim who was completely unaware at the time of attack. Hong dropped to his knees and stated he had a traumatic childhood, suffered family problems, illnesses and bullying at school. ACW (4.11.2026)
Dear Adrian,
In our Eng Lit. Class (US) – we had to study the 2024 case of the Taipai MTR Stabbing. As someone of ethnic Chinese origin (whose family survived Japanese and Western aggression) I was shocked by how the US government is forcing the Chinese people of Taiwan (and those born-living in the US) to relate to ‘Japan’ and not ‘China’. What is your view on this?
Thank you
Alice
Dear Alice
Thank you for your interesting email. I studied the Chinese-language links you provided. I was not aware of this case – so thank you for drawing my attention to it. Remember, the White establishment in the US is currently targetting ethnic Chinese people – so be careful what you put into print. Now, having established all that, to business. Probably about 40-years ago, when I was studying Mainland China, I remember being told that Taiwan was one of the strongest “post-modern” locations in the world – as the US was engaged in a tug-of-war with China over who will administer the island and decided its past, present, and future. Is Taiwan an extension of Japan (the country that controlled it prior to WWII), the US (the controlling power after WWII), or the Mainland Chinese (who have always claimed Taiwan since 1949). Meanwhile, the people of Taiwan are caught in a confusing psychological vortex that spins around and around with no clarity or stability. Indeed, this neo-imperialist situation causes a tremendous inner rupture for the ethnic Chinese people – who, due to US and Japanese racism, are not permitted to align themselves with the Mainland Chinese. A number of Taiwan nationals often commit crimes of violence – where they randomy inflict damage upon their own bodies – or the bodies of others. It is US racism that causes this reality. This type of disruptive “Whiteness” has no place in Taiwan – or any part of China.
The case you mention occurred on the Taipai Tube (MTR) on 24.5.2024 – and its details are bizarre even under the deluded standards of the US-collaborating Authorities. A feminine-looking “man” – one “許瑞顯” (Xu Ruixian) – according to the received story (China Times) sat and cowardly observed a rather “stout” looking Chinese-man – as he traversed through the rail-carriages wielding a knife in his right-hand, randomly stabbing and slashing anyone who came into his reach. Xu admits being “terrified” and unable to move due to fear. Then, (according to the narrative), he remembers an anime character (he admires) found within a Japanese comic-book. We are led to believe that the behaviour of this fictional character inspired Xu to risk his life – and run forward to confront the danger. The video of this event shows a slight figure propel himself onto the assailment – literally thrusting his own face onto the blade – cutting himself open from the eye to the jaw. Seeing this, 16-other wannabe heroes rushed forward and eventually subdued the attacker (at one point, the attacker was “winning” this one-sided battle). The attacker, sick of the racialised and confused cultural conditions within Taiwan – then “disappeared” into the country’s mental health system – whilst the “rescuers” were all awarded with medals, certificates, and lifelong free MTR travelcards. The US colonial masters make Xu collect his award “dressed” as his inspiring anime character!
If it was not so sick – the details would be funny. This story has only recently made it into the West via Tiktok – but the racist idea that Taiwan is really Japan – leads the way. Xu looks as alluring as a Japanese school-girl character often depicted in anime (I do not support – or condone – the sexualisation of minors). In Western terms, which tends to misrepresent Chinese men as being “inadequate” and “cowardly” (I reject this prejudice) – the very idea “17” MTR passengers being needed to halt just “one” single character seems strange and odd in the extreme (just imagine how ineffective the US-funded Taiwanese Military must be). The attacker only possessed on (small) hand-knife. Of course, the Taiwan State is paying for all Xu’s plastic surgery operations required to repair his face (the injury was vicious). The reality is that Xu should be inspired by the Qin Dynasty (“Hero” amongst others), the Han Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, the Water Margin – and numerous other ethnic Chinese examples of bravery and ingenuity. Then there are the stories of the PLA and its brave antics during the 20th century – much of it against the barbarism of the Imperial Japanese, the Nationalist Chinese (those who now administer Taiwan), and the US (and its Western allies). Why would a young ethnic Chinese man choose to ignore the history of his own ethnicity and instead voluntarily side with the aggression of foreign enemies who have historically committed so much harm against the Chinese nation? This paradox demonstrates the contradiction the Taiwanese people are forced to live under. Do not allow the foreign occupiers to dictate where you place your inner-mind.
Best Wishes
Adrian
Man Stops Knife Attack Because His Anime Hero ‘Would’ve Done the Same Thing’
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was his inspiration.
Updated: Jun 5, 2024
A Taiwanese man helped stop a knife attack on the Taichung metro because his anime hero, Himmel from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, “would’ve done the same.”
As reported by the China Times and translated by Siliconera, Ruixian Xu was one of 17 civilians who rushed to stop a man who injured three people with a knife on a train in Taichung, Taiwan on May 21, 2024.
Upon accepting an award for his bravery, Xu referred to himself as an otaku — a term usually referring to someone who loves anime, manga, video games, and other elements of nerd culture — before pointing to Frieren as his inspiration.
“If Himmel was there, he would’ve done the same thing,” Xu said. He also said he hopes his actions and pride as an otaku will help improve public perception of those who identify as such.
Frieren follows an elven mage of the same name as she embarks on a quest to make peace with the nature of life and death. Himmel is the former leader of her adventuring party who helped defeat the Demon King and usher in an era of peace.
The show earned an 8/10 in IGN’s review: “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a simple but moving fantasy adventure that favors contemplation over action – and is all the better for it,” we said.
Chen Jiaying – December 19, 2024
In May this year, a random stabbing incident occurred on the Taichung MRT. 27-year-old ‘Long-Haired Guy‘ Hsu Jui-hsien and 20-year-old suspect Hong Jing got into a fight on the train carriage, resulting in a stab wound to the face. His girlfriend was very worried at the time, but later, he became famous for quoting a famous line from ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ in an interview. Unexpectedly, on the 19th, Long Hair revealed that he and his girlfriend had peacefully broken up, and revealed that the knife “not only shattered my cheekbones, but also my love.”
On the 19th, 27-year-old ‘Long-Haired Brother’ Hsu Jui-hsien wrote on social media, “Mr. Hong’s knife not only hurt my face, but also my cheekbones, and my love,” along with a post from his ex-girlfriend as evidence. On the same day, the ex-girlfriend also shared her feelings, saying, “I was thinking about how all the followers on my account are over ten thousand, mostly because of the MRT incident, so I think I need to mention it. We’ve already broken up for a while.” She joked that if you want to see related posts, you can unfollow him. “I can only say the MRT incident greatly changed his life and the connection between us. I wish him a better partner.”
Regarding this, Hsu Jui-hsien explained that the two have been together for nearly four years and have harbored some grudges and differences in understanding. After the incident, their lifestyles changed, which further intensified these tensions and differences. Therefore, “we recently parted ways amicably,” and he wished both of them both better suited people. At the same time, he asked netizens, “Stop asking my girlfriend how she’s doing. I’m a single goblin crying and grateful, and there’s no gossip to be grateful for.”
After the post was shared, some netizens also left comments asking his ex-girlfriend: “I’m curious how this incident (random stabbing) has greatly changed his life?” She responded openly, “Simply put, I gained a lot of confidence, met many people, and my social circle became broader.” Another netizen asked: “At what moment did you decide to give up on a relationship?” She also replied, “I messaged you asking to delete some private photos you took before. The other party promised you, ‘Thank you, baby, I love you the most.’ Next time you meet and ask, they say I haven’t deleted them yet. From that moment on, I didn’t believe anything anymore.” However, Xu Ruixian later clarified that it had been deleted.
Looking back to May 21, ‘Long-Haired Guy’ Hsu Jui-hsien suffered a 9 cm wound on his left cheek and nearly a 3 cm wound on his lips while trying to block a knife attacker on the MRT. In an interview, he quoted a famous line from ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’: ‘If it were the hero Himmel, he would definitely do the same.’ At the time, his girlfriend posted online to express concern but was criticized online. Hsu Jui-hsien once defended her, but half a year later, the two had already lost their relationship, leaving many netizens feeling quite regretful.
