A martial arts magazine publisher is pushing back hard against claims that a popular social media figure known as Sumiko Nakano is entirely artificial, insisting she is a genuine person who has contributed significantly to his publication.
Allen Woodman, founder of International Martial Arts Magazine, sat down with content creator Viking Samurai to address the controversy surrounding Nakano, who has amassed over 900,000 followers online but faces persistent accusations that she is an AI-generated persona.
Woodman, who launched the magazine from his hospital bed while recovering from a near-fatal bout of diabetic ketoacidosis, says he first discovered Nakano while scrolling through Instagram in search of female martial artists for the publication’s Women Warrior section.
“I came across something… about Sumiko Nakano,” he recalled. “She lived in the UK and she does some jiu-jitsu and MMA stuff.”
After reaching out by email and waiting roughly two and a half months for a response, the two connected and built a working relationship. Woodman says Nakano, who is mute following a car accident at age three that also claimed her parents’ lives, communicates exclusively through writing.
He points to several pieces of institutional verification as evidence of her existence. She is registered with the United States Library of Congress as an author of multiple books, holds a business registration in the UK under the name Sumiko Nakano Limited, and has held a coaching license from the British Association of Athletics, all of which Woodman says require in-person verification.
“As far as I’m aware, you cannot register your work with the Library of Congress without verifying you’re a real person. You cannot do that,” he said.
The central flashpoint of the debate has been her AI-generated videos, including one that appeared to recreate a kick performed by martial artist Chloe Bruce. According to Woodman, Nakano explained that she filmed herself attempting the technique and then used AI to match it to the speed and style of Bruce’s original. The video was eventually taken down after Bruce raised concerns.
Woodman acknowledges that some of her content is AI-generated but argues she has been transparent about it, posting behind-the-scenes footage of the process, including footage of her standing on logs in front of a green screen. “She literally shows it,” he said.
As for accusations that he created Nakano himself, Woodman is dismissive. “She existed way before I even knew her,” he said. “She has 900,000 plus followers. Her page is monetized.”
He also notes she helped register his company as a legal entity and has served as vice president of his publication, contributing articles he describes as some of the best writing he has published.
“Do I think she’s a real person? 100%,” Woodman said.
