The article contains the following trigger warnings: child s*xual assault, abuse of power, and unlawful distribution of child p*rnography. Please proceed with caution.
Suzume was a definite hit in the anime and film industry, thanks to Makoto Shinkai’s vision and artistry. Along with Your Name. and Weathering with You, the unofficial trilogy gained a lot of fame worldwide for its gorgeous visuals, unique storytelling, and emotional soundtrack.
The producer of the three films, Kouichirou Itou, has been a long-time collaborator of Makoto Shinkai before even Your Name. Unfortunately, last year, Itou was arrested for violation of child pr*stitution, r*pe, and child s*xual abuse images laws in Japan.
This soured the reputation of Makoto Shinkai’s films for many fans. Even the director posted a statement about his arrest, though he did not directly name Itou, condemning the actions and apologizing to fans who love the films but will understandably be uncomfortable watching them.
Everything you need to know about Kouichirou Itou’s arrest
Kouichirou Itou was initially arrested in 2024 by the Wakayama Prefectural Police on the suspicion of soliciting a 15-year-old in Nagano. The District Court only just sentenced him to 4 years in prison for his crimes.
The charges include the r*pe of 3 minor girls and the solicitation of a 15-year-old girl from Nagano on social media. Some NHK news outlets, however, alleged that he might have targeted and solicited over 100 minors (via Hindustan Times).
According to Keiko Fukushima, the presiding judge over Itou’s case, the producer repeatedly searched for minor girls to have s*xual intercourse with and also secretly recorded them. He groomed them into sending obscene images too and unlawfully distributed them.
In 2021, he allegedly paid them 12,500 yen while fully knowing his victims were underage. This evidence was found during an investigation into a different pr*stitution case.
Judge Fukushima is confident that the blame lies on Itou for the harm he caused to the girls, mentally and physically. He also knew his victims were minors.
At first, the prosecution recommended 6 years in jail but it was reduced to 4 years. His defense argued he had already settled with two out of three of the minors and would receive counseling to correct his behavior. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Makoto Shinkai apologized to the victims and expressed his shock
As the director of the films, Shinkai has faced the brunt of the backlash. He doesn’t name Itou on his X post but does condemn his actions and apologize to everyone upset by the news.
作品関係者逮捕の報道を目にし、とても大きなショックを受けています。まずなによりも被害者の方へ、心よりお見舞い申し上げます。また、作品を愛し応援してくださっている皆さんにご不安をおかけしてしまっていることも、本当に申し訳なく思います。…
— 新海誠 (@shinkaimakoto) February 23, 2024
He hopes the news of Itou’s actions won’t dampen the hard work he and others have put into the films. However, he understands and accepts that this is an inevitable consequence.
Kouichirou Itou was the producer of the majority of Makoto Shinkai’s films, even before Your Name. He also produced The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Journey to Agartha, and The Garden of Words. Revisiting these films will be difficult in the long-run.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
