Japanese woman subdues convenience store thief with headlock, credits anime for technique

On the night of September 16, in Yokohama’s Tsurumi Ward, 23-year-old Karin Ryo entered a convenience store for some routine shopping. But instead of simply picking up items, Ryo ended up apprehending a would-be shoplifter using a headlock she credited to her love of anime.

The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. in the Shitte neighborhood, according to SoraNews24. While Ryo was in the store, a man attempted to steal a six-pack of beer. A clerk confronted the man near the store’s exit, and as the two struggled, Ryo noticed the altercation and stepped in. Using quick thinking, she ensnared the man’s legs and brought him to the ground, placing him in a headlock.

The shoplifter tried to escape by biting Ryo’s left forearm, leaving visible teeth marks that remained two weeks after the incident. Despite the pain, Ryo held him down until the police arrived and took him into custody.

Ryo, an office worker in Tsurumi with no martial arts training, surprised many by her ability to subdue the criminal. When asked if she had a background in self-defense, she explained, “I’ve never done martial arts. I took tea ceremony lessons.” Instead, she credited anime for inspiring her headlock technique. “I like anime, so I just sort of imitated what I’ve seen in it,” she said.

Reflecting on the incident, Ryo recalled feeling no fear in the moment, saying her body “just moved on its own.” However, after the adrenaline wore off, she acknowledged that the situation could have been more dangerous if the shoplifter had been armed.

While the Tsurumi police precinct praised Ryo for her bravery, they also cautioned the public about the risks of intervening in crimes, advising people to contact authorities rather than put themselves in harm’s way.