BEIJING (SCMP): A Japanese cosplayer shocked the internet after reportedly cutting off her boyfriend’s ring finger and keeping it in the fridge.

The woman claimed she “loved him too much” and did not want him to marry anyone else or exchange wedding rings.

The incident came to light in January when police in Osaka, located in Japan’s Kansai region on Honshu Island, received an emergency call from the 21-year-old victim, whose name has not been disclosed.

He reported that his girlfriend, Saki Sato, 23, had assaulted him after an argument about breaking up and requested help.

When police arrived at the flat, they found both individuals, with the man showing visible injuries on his left cheek and nose.

He later told the police that his left ring finger had been cut off by Sato, and that the severed finger was soaking in alcohol in the refrigerator.

A search of the flat confirmed his claim.

Investigations revealed that Sato had kept the man’s bank book and smartphone locked in her safe, and she had once even cut off part of his left nipple.

In 2023, when the victim was 19 and still a secondary school pupil, he came across Sato’s cosplay activities online and instantly fell in love with her sweet and cute appearance.

After persistent pursuit, the two eventually entered a romantic relationship, and by last July, they had moved in together.

However, over time, the man gradually became aware of Sato’s controlling nature.

Sato said that she prefers gentle, obedient “soft boys” and dislikes domineering, macho types.

She insisted on keeping his bankbook and phone, requiring him to ask for permission to use them.

Last September, following an argument, Sato shockingly proposed the idea that “a man’s nipple will grow back if you cut it off,” and decided to try it on him.

Out of fear, the man complied.

Then, on Oct 19, last year, Sato reportedly shouted: “I do not want you marrying another woman and exchanging rings,” as she cut off part of his left ring finger.

She then placed the severed finger in alcohol and stored it in the refrigerator.

The man said he had previously endured the abuse without reporting it to authorities simply because his girlfriend was so beautiful that he could not bring himself to leave her.

Sato has been charged with three counts of assault and was formally indicted on April 21.

She denies the charges and claims that the man cut off his own finger.

In Japanese anime, a character type exists called yandere, which refers to someone who initially appears sweet, caring, and innocent but later reveals an extreme, often violent or obsessive, devotion to their lover.

The story has shocked Japanese netizens, with many saying that it felt like a yandere manga character had been brought to life.

One Japanese online observer said: “I thought this was just a fictional yandere trope, but is this girl an actual criminal suspect? Reality is stranger than fiction.”

It has also sparked a lively discussion on mainland social media.

“I always thought ‘love you to death’ was just a poetic phrase, but turns out it is actually an action,” one person said.

“Forget the yandere label, this is just psychopathic criminal behaviour,” said another. - South China Morning Post