Following Arrest, Your Name Producer Is Sentenced in Disturbing Abuse Case
Contains references to child sexual assault
The unfortunate case involving anime producer Kouchirou Itou got a new development on Friday, as the Wakayama District Court handed down a sentence of four years in prison, under charges of rape and violating child prostitution laws and child sexual abuse images laws. The 53-year-old industry veteran worked as a producer on many of renowned director Makoto Shinkai's successful movies, including your name., Suzume, and Weathering With You.
The verdict came after Itou was arrested in February 2024 on suspicion of soliciting a 15-year-old girl for nude pictures of herself, a crime discovered as part of a different prostitution investigation. Itou admitted the crime at the time of arrest, while also revealing to the authorities that he had done it with other people too.
Producer of your name. Is Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
An Unfortunate Blemish on Makoto Shinkai's Reputation
Itou was charged with obscene acts against three minors, including non-consensual sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl he met on social media. While the prosecution asked for a six-year sentence, Itou's defense pleaded for a suspended sentence, meaning he would not serve his time in prison if he remained on good behavior, on the account that Itou already settled with two out of the three victims out of court, and promised to undertake counseling at a medical institution.
This is an unfortunate spot in director Makoto Shinkai's career. While there is no reason to believe he or the rest of his studio, CoMix Wave Films, were aware of Itou's behavior, the unfortunate outcome is that the creators of beautiful work of art that moved millions of people worldwide will, at least for some time, be unwillingly associated with a sexual predator. Especially if it ever comes out that Itou used his reputation and work in the anime industry to approach these girls.
Your Name
- Release Date
- August 26, 2016
- Runtime
- 106 minutes
Cast
Ryunosuke Kamiki (Taki Tachibana voice)- Mone Kamishiraishi (Mitsuha Miyamizu voice)
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