New Delhi: The Japanese producer Koichiro Ito, who contributed to some of the most successful anime films ever, was taken into custody this week in Tokyo by the Wakayama Prefectural Police. A 15-year-old girl has allegedly accused him of asking for her nude selfies.
The producer of ‘Your Name’ allegedly met the teenager on social media, according to a report published in Thursday’s edition of Mainichi Shimbun, the local newspaper in Japan. In September 2021, it came to light that the 52-year-old producer had reportedly forced the 15-year-old girl to give him explicit photos. TBS, a broadcaster in Tokyo, also revealed that Ito gave the little girl 12,500 yen, or about $85, in return for the photos. He was put under arrest on Wednesday since this is against the Child Prostitution and Pornography Prohibition Act in Japan.
The anime industry and its fan base have been shaken by the shocking revelation. Ito has been associated with some of the most beloved anime series over the years, with credits spanning over 20 years in the industry. Three such anime releases that are even renowned outside of the anime fan community are Your Name (2016), Weathering With You (2019), and Suzume (2022), all directed by Makoto Shinkai.
NHK, the national broadcaster of Japan, confirmed that Ito accepted the accusations made against him. Also, he mentioned in his conversations with the investigators that he had previously interacted with a girl who was underage. It was stated that he had repeatedly encouraged teenage girls to email him pictures of themselves. The potential victims have been reported, and the police are searching for them.
Anime fans were clearly deeply affected by this disturbing development, which seriously harmed their loving bonds with the anime films that frequently act as a starting point for new audiences.
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