How Japan is fighting back at Jihadi John with MEMES: Images of ISIS executioner cutting kebab meat and posing with a selfie stick go viral as nation shows it won't be silenced over new hostage threat 

  • Jihadi John seen threatening to Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto this week
  • Demanded $200million within 72 hours or said he would kill hostages
  • As deadline approached Japanese began creating internet memes
  • Darkly comic images shared online as a mark of defiance against ISIS 

By Chris Pleasance for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Showing the familiar sight of fearful men kneeling in orange jumpsuits in the desert, the latest footage of Jihadi John caused despair across the world when it appeared this week.

In the latest clip, the Islamic State enforcer demanded a $200million ransom to free Japanese men Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto, giving them just 72 hours to live.

But as the deadline approached the Japanese public responded with a show of defiance by creating dozens of darkly comic internet memes mocking the deranged ISIS killer.

In the pictures, which have been widely shared online, the masked murderer is seen using his knife to carve kebab meat, taking part in a cooking show, and holding a selfie stick.

The vast majority of the posts are written in Japanese, but one in English reads: 'Tomorrow will be sad but it will pass and ISIS will still be a big joke. You can't break our spirit.' 

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Hitting back: The Japanese public have hit back at the latest Islamic State video showing Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto being threatened by Jihadi John by turning the masked murderer into internet memes

Hitting back: The Japanese public have hit back at the latest Islamic State video showing Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto being threatened by Jihadi John by turning the masked murderer into internet memes

Helpless: As the 72-hour deadline to save the captives passed without the $200million ransom being paid, Japanese Twitter users began sharing the darkly comic posts as a symbol of defiance

Helpless: As the 72-hour deadline to save the captives passed without the $200million ransom being paid, Japanese Twitter users began sharing the darkly comic posts as a symbol of defiance

Mocking: Most of the messages were written in Japanese, but one which appeared in English read: 'Tomorrow will be sad but it will pass and ISIS will still be a big joke. You can't break out spirit'

Mocking: Most of the messages were written in Japanese, but one which appeared in English read: 'Tomorrow will be sad but it will pass and ISIS will still be a big joke. You can't break out spirit'

Defiant: One of the Islamic State's largest weapons in its so-called holy war is fear, so the Japanese chose humour as a way of hitting back 

Defiant: One of the Islamic State's largest weapons in its so-called holy war is fear, so the Japanese chose humour as a way of hitting back 

Joke: This internet user re-imagined Jihadi John and his ransom demand as comic character Doctor Evil from the Austin Powers movies

Joke: This internet user re-imagined Jihadi John and his ransom demand as comic character Doctor Evil from the Austin Powers movies

Dark comedy: In another post, Jihadi John is dressed up as Mickey Mouse while the background is changed to make them appear as if they are in Disneyland

Dark comedy: In another post, Jihadi John is dressed up as Mickey Mouse while the background is changed to make them appear as if they are in Disneyland

Laughing stock: Kim Jong-Un and some of his generals are shown laughing at images taken from the latest Jihadi John video which appeared this week

Laughing stock: Kim Jong-Un and some of his generals are shown laughing at images taken from the latest Jihadi John video which appeared this week

Not afraid: The Japanese man chose to recreate the terror footage using block-building game Minecraft

Not afraid: The Japanese man chose to recreate the terror footage using block-building game Minecraft

Mission to mars: The trio were also pictured on the red planet with the Curiosity rover in the background

Mission to mars: The trio were also pictured on the red planet with the Curiosity rover in the background

Playing games: In this image, Jihadi John is pictured taking part in a hand of the Yu Gi Oh card trading game

Playing games: In this image, Jihadi John is pictured taking part in a hand of the Yu Gi Oh card trading game

Dressed up: This user imagined Jihadi John dressed in pink underwear in a field full of flowers

Dressed up: This user imagined Jihadi John dressed in pink underwear in a field full of flowers

 

Japan fights back at Jihadi John with MEMES

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