Renai Circulation goes viral for a newscast

In an unexpected and somewhat unnerving twist, FOX News recently aired a report on Luigi Mangione, the man suspected of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024. However, during the segment, the network used a montage of photographs featuring a cover of Kana Hanazawa's iconic Japanese song "Renai Circulation," which left viewers perplexed and sparked a wave of online reactions.

"Renai Circulation," one of the most popular songs on the "Monogatari Series," quickly became an anthem within the otaku community. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics, performed by Kana Hanazawa, who voiced the character Nadeko Sengoku in the series, contributed to the song's viral success. Over the years, "Renai Circulation" has become a key piece of pop culture, appearing on countless covers, remixes, and memes. Its partnership with Monogatari Series has cemented its status as an iconic piece of anime music.

The FOX News segment, which detailed the tragic events surrounding Thompson's murder and Mangione's subsequent capture in Altoona, Pennsylvania, showed a montage of footage allegedly related to Mangione's background. However, what caught the attention of many was the choice of background music: an English cover of "Renai Circulation." This cover, widely shared online, seemed to add a surreal and unexpected layer to the otherwise very serious report. The montage included footage of Mangione, taken from security cameras and social media posts, as well as photos of the moments after his arrest, but the song's lighthearted and lighthearted tones clashed with the gravity of the situation.

This curious choice of background music sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media, with many expressing confusion and amazement at FOX News' apparent lack of consideration for the story's somber tone. Fans of the "Monogatari Series" were especially vocal, noting that the song's association with light and comedic scenes from the anime seemed completely out of place as it was set in the real-life context of a tragedy as serious as a murder.

In addition to the growing public fascination with Mangione's case, especially after his arrest on December 9, 2024, the FOX News report has continued to stoke viral interest. Photos of his mugshot and conspiracy theories about his identity have captivated Internet users, some of whom even question whether he is the same person seen on security cameras from previous days. The discrepancies in her appearance have led to memes and online debates, as people examine every detail of her face, including the shape of her eyebrows.

Meanwhile, news in the United States is increasingly surreal. For example, the VTuber "Ironmouse" was shown on one of the screens of CNBC Comcast's NBCUniversal during a debate on Donald Trump's future policies as president.