Los Angeles’ annual Anime Expo will commence July 1, but it isn’t a global event without a little controversy. Aniplex of America have confirmed that the exclusive U.S. premiere of Rurouni Kenshin will be held at the expo on July 3, featuring actors Soma Saito (Kenshin Himura), Rie Takahashi (Kaoru Kamiya), and producer Masami Niwa as special guests at the panel. That’s all well and good, until you remember that the series creator, Nobuhiro Watsuki, was convicted of child pornography and never faced any consequences.
Recommended VideosSuddenly, this whole “exclusive” panel feels dirty and totally insensitive. Watsuki was in possession of CSEM (Child Sexual Exploitation Material) and when it all came to light, he received nothing more than a $1800 fine – a slap on the wrist. Since then, he’s been living life as normal, facing zero consequences for exploiting underaged children for twisted personal gain.
Oh, neat.
Say, remember when Kenshin creator Nobuhiro Watsuki was found guilty of having so much CSEM that they thought he was distributing it? And how all he got a slap on the wrist with an $1800 fine, and clearly continues to suffer zero consequences for being a total monster? https://t.co/86bynmOgkq
— Samantha Ferreira is Writing an Anime History Book (@sam_animeherald) June 7, 2023Even though fans of Rurouni Kenshin are excited to see the actors and ask their burning questions, they still feel that supporting the series’ promotion and throwing money at the expo in the name of filling Watsuki’s pockets is immoral. Others have found the opportunity to make jokes out of the situation and mock the expo’s gross oversight concerning this major legal and societal issue.
Oh cool! An adaptation of my favorite light novel “I Can’t Believe My Pedophile Mangaka Still Has A Career!” https://t.co/47mbQAlapc
— the notorious Alexis Naucek (@alexisvalarr) June 7, 2023Despite being the series’ creator, Watsuki is totally absent from the panel. Several Twitter users were quick to point out that this could be due to the fact that the Anime Expo is within half a mile of a school, which is a restriction enforced on those convicted of child sexual exploitation in any form. Additionally, Watsuki wouldn’t be allowed to apply for a visa to visit the U.S. on account of his conviction, so he wouldn’t be physically able to enter the country nor stay for a prolonged period of time. At least that’s a silver lining.
"Hello, can we assume that the series' creator Watsuki-san was unable to make it to the premiere because AX is within half a mile of a school?" https://t.co/0Zq7hW9AeK pic.twitter.com/2OKheCfD4b
— ً (@PedanticRomantc) June 7, 2023Realistically, no one can stop Rurouni Kenshin from airing if the higher-ups give the green light, but Anime Expo can certainly avoid promoting it at their con and offer the spot to a much less messy manga/series instead. Do better, AX.
You may not be able to disallow @aniplexUSA from releasing a work by a convicted pedophile in the US, but you CAN refuse to allow them to premiere and promote it at your con. Ratio the shit out of this tweet. AX needs to know how unacceptable this is. https://t.co/pgQrjsIHZY
— Haro 💐 LBFaD Minibang (@harocats) June 6, 2023For anyone attending AX from July 1 to July 4, you could go to the Rurouni Kenshin panel on July 3 to ask why Watsuki isn’t present. At least Japanese news outlets wouldn’t be able to sweep that under the rug.
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