Koichiro Ito, the renowned producer behind the beloved anime film “Your Name,” has been embroiled in a scandal that has sent shockwaves through the anime industry.
The 52-year-old filmmaker faces serious charges related to child prostitution and child pornography, casting a dark shadow over his amazing career.
Ito’s legal troubles began when he was arrested by the Wakayama Prefectural Police on suspicion of violating the Act Prohibiting Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
This is not the first time he has faced such allegations. In fact, Ito has been indicted three times previously for similar offenses, raising serious questions about his conduct and the safety of young girls.
According to investigators, Ito allegedly paid a 17-year-old high school girl in Yokohama ¥30,000 (approximately $275) to engage in sexual acts at his home in December 2023.
Shockingly, he knew that she was underage at the time. The illicit encounter was filmed, further compounding the charges against him. The Wakayama prefectural police have called for “severe punishment,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
But the revelations don’t end there. Ito reportedly confessed to having prostituted more than 20 girls, many of whom he met through social media platforms.
“I met at least 20 underage girls on social media and paid them to have sex.” Ito confessed according to the investigation.
His modus operandi involved luring young girls into compromising situations, exploiting their vulnerability, and then documenting the encounters. The victims ranged from high school students to part-time workers, all unsuspecting targets of his predatory behavior.
Koichiro Ito has worked alongside director, Makoto Shinkai on not only the Your Name film but also the other films including Weathering With You, Garden of Words, and the recently released Suzume film.
As news of Ito’s arrest spread, fans of “Your Name” expressed shock and disappointment over on social media.
Source: Asahi
