from Ananova:

Peruvian teenagers ‘possessed’ by Japanese TV cartoon

The parents of three Peruvian teenagers say their children have been possessed by a Japanese TV cartoon show.

    Christian Vilchez, who’s 16, and 19-year-olds Jorge Vela and Edy Frank Castillo are fans of Dragon Ball Z and never miss an episode.

    But, according to their parents, since watching it last week they have gone mute, had convulsions and lost their memories.

    One of the teenager’s fathers told Terra Noticias Populares: “It is all Dragon Ball Z’s fault. My son is numb. I beg the authorities and the church to support me.”

    Doctors on the town of Tarapoto have examined Edy Frank Castillo and have not yet come up with an explanation for his condition. They continue to study the cases.

    One of the cartoon’s characters is Babidi, a mind altering wizard who uses his powers to “bring out the evil in people’s hearts and control them”.

    The show started in 1986 and has featured more than 500 episodes.