Makoto Shinkai expressed great sadness and shock after learning that Kouichirou Itou, the producer of many of his acclaimed animated films, was arrested on charges of engaging in illegal sexual activities with minors.
In a social media post, Shinkai offered his deepest sympathies to the victims affected by Itou’s alleged criminal actions. He stated that his heart goes out to them during this difficult time.
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
Shinkai also apologized sincerely to the fans and supporters of his work for causing them anxiety and concern due to this situation.
He said he understands that people may now view his films more skeptically in light of the charges against Itou.
However, Shinkai believes the inherent value and artistry of the works themselves will not be diminished, even though he knows it is only natural for audiences to have doubts right now.
Police Arrest Your Name Producer Kouichirou Itou on Suspicion of Soliciting Minor
Kouichirou Itou was arrested on February 21st, 2024 on charges that he had solicited nude images from a 15-year-old high school student that he had met in 2021.
When questioned by authorities about the specific allegations made by the victim, Itou reportedly was unable to confirm whether he had requested naked photos from this particular girl.
However, in making this statement, he implicitly admitted to the broader offense of having previously solicited inappropriate images from other underage females as well.
Specifically, Itou was quoted as saying that he had received nude pictures from underage women several times in the past, but could not recall if this current case was one of those instances.
This admission suggests that Itou has previously engaged in such criminal behavior with multiple minor victims.
Police have now opened an investigation into whether there were additional underage girls who had been targeted by Itou to send him sexually explicit photos or images in the past.
The full extent of his activities to solicit minors in this manner remains unknown at this time as the authorities continue their work on the case.
Kouichirou Itou Work In The Industry
Kouichirou Itou had worked as a producer on several of Makoto Shinkai’s acclaimed animated films over the years.
As such, Shinkai understands if some skepticism now comes his way following Itou’s arrest, but admits feeling frustration over the situation nonetheless.
Itou first joined Comix Wave Films as a producer just as Shinkai was working on his early breakout work, Voices of a Distant Star, and was seen as instrumental in the success of Children Who Chase Lost Voices.
Itou also served as a producer on other Shinkai films, including The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Dareka no Manazashi, and The Garden of Words.
Most recently, he produced Shinkai’s last three and most commercially successful films: Your Name, Weathering With You, and the emotionally resonant Suzume.
In unrelated news, several major illegal leakers of popular manga series One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen were shut down this week following the arrest of individuals suspected of infringing on copyrights held by Weekly Shonen Jump publisher Shueisha.
About Kouichirou Itou Produced Your Name
The story follows Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl living in the quiet rural town of Itomori who dreams of having an exciting life in bustling Tokyo. One day, she mysteriously begins switching bodies on random days with Taki Tachibana, an actual Tokyo teenage boy.
When the body swapping occurs, Mitsuha and Taki must fully inhabit each other’s lives for that entire day before returning back to their own bodies at night when they fall asleep. They establish a system to properly manage the switches, communicating through written notes.
During her days living Taki’s life, Mitsuha helps set him up on a date with his coworker Miki.
Meanwhile, Taki’s days as Mitsuha make her more popular at her school. When Taki is in Mitsuha’s body, he also visits her family’s local Shinto shrine and learns about the tradition connecting humans across time.
Mitsuha mentions that a comet called Tiamat will be passing very close to Earth on the autumn festival in Itomori. After returning to his own body, Taki goes on a date with Miki but realizes he has feelings for Mitsuha. He tries calling her but can’t reach her, and the body-swapping mysteriously stops.
Determined to find Mitsuha, Taki travels to her region, sketching the landscape from his memories. A restaurant owner recognizes it as Itomori and agrees to guide Taki there.
However, they discover the town was destroyed by the Tiamat comet – it had passed 3 years ago, revealing Mitsuha lived in 2013 while Taki was in 2016. Searching the victim records, Taki is horrified to find Mitsuha’s name listed among the 500 killed.
As Taki starts losing his memories of her, he races to the shrine in a panic and drinks the ceremonial sake they once left as an offering. A vision shows Mitsuha had come to meet him in Tokyo years before, but he hadn’t recognized her – the ribbon she gave him that day is one he has worn ever since.
