Veteran manga artist Hisashi Eguchi is facing backlash after admitting to tracing a woman’s Instagram photo without permission for a promotional illustration.
The artwork was used in an ad for the Chuo Line Culture Festival 2025 and displayed on large billboards at JR Ogikubo Station.
The woman, identified as Tamaki Kanai, contacted Eguchi directly after recognizing the likeness. Eguchi later acknowledged the situation on Twitter (now X) and said he received her permission after the fact, allowing him to re-upload the piece.
“The illustration for the Chūō Line Cultural Festival was drawn based on a perfectly beautiful profile picture I came across on Instagram. Later, I was contacted by the person themselves, and when I checked their account, I found out it was Tamaki Kanai, who shares their work mainly on social media as a writer/model. After further communication, I received their permission, so I’m reposting it. Please also keep an eye on Kanai’s future activities (@tiyk_tbr).” Eguchi wrote on X.
However, the incident sparked deeper scrutiny of Eguchi’s past work. Another individual came forward, claiming his image was also used without consent in a commercial poster for Zoff, a Japanese eyewear brand.
Critics have pointed out the irony in Eguchi’s earlier statements where he criticized manga with photo-like backgrounds and said tracing “as-is” shows a lack of imagination. These remarks have now resurfaced, intensifying the controversy.
Despite the controversy, Eguchi remains an influential figure in the manga and anime world. He is best known for the gender-bending shōnen comedy Stop!! Hibari-kun!, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1981 to 1983 and later adapted into a 35-episode anime series. He also created Susume!! Pirates, a sports comedy manga that helped launch his career in the late 1970s.
In the anime industry, Eguchi contributed character designs for the sci-fi film Roujin Z (1991) and was the inspiration behind the art direction of several other titles. His distinct art style—known for its clean lines and fashion-influenced aesthetic—has also left a lasting impact on both manga and illustration.
Now, with multiple incidents resurfacing, fans and fellow artists are questioning how much of Eguchi’s celebrated body of work was built on uncredited or unauthorized references.
