Manga’s Top Artists Are in Hot Water Over Controversial New Campaign

Manga's Top Artists Are in Hot Water Over Controversial New Campaign

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich and vibrant world of manga, I must say that this latest controversy surrounding Rurouni Kenshin has left me feeling quite disheartened. The industry is filled with talented creators, many of whom I admire deeply, but it’s a double-edged sword when those same individuals are involved in such distressing events.


To excel in the world of manga, it takes more than just raw talent. The manga industry is incredibly dynamic and its challenges can be quite formidable. Not only do exceptional artists like Akira Toriyama need to captivate readers with their artwork, but they also must engage them with compelling storytelling. Over the years, numerous talented creators have emerged in this field. However, today, some of these top-tier individuals find themselves in a particularly tough predicament.

This week, I was thrilled to discover that Shueisha has unveiled a significant project to celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of their most revered mangas – Rurouni Kenshin. From October 4th, an impressive lineup of over a dozen renowned manga artists will honor this iconic series through illustrations. However, it seems that the tribute to Nobuhiro Watsuki is causing quite a stir worldwide. As a dedicated fan, I can’t wait to see how these talented creators pay homage to Rurouni Kenshin!

The Controversy Behind Rurouni Kenshin

To give a bit of background about this occasion, the renowned series “Rurouni Kenshin” has gathered an impressive roster of artists to celebrate its anniversary. This lineup includes Gege Akutami, Eiichiro Oda, and Yoko Kamio, among many others. For a comprehensive look at all the creative minds involved, please find the details below:

  • Eiichiro Oda (One Piece)
  • Hirohiko Araki (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
  • Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen)
  • Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk)
  • Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto)
  • Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter x Hunter)
  • Kohei Horikoshi (My Hero Academia)
  • Yusuke Murata (One-Punch Man)
  • Yoichi Takahashi (Captain Tsubasa)
  • Y?ki Tabata (Black Clover)
  • Hideaki Sorachi (Gintama)
  • Takeshi Obata (Death Note)
  • Naoya Matsumoto (Kaiju No. 8)
  • Takeshi Konomi (The Prince of Tennis)
  • Sui Ishida (Tokyo Ghoul)
  • Daisuke Ashihara (World Trigger)
  • Y?sei Matsui (Assassination Classroom)
  • Tenya Yabuno (Inazuma Eleven)
  • Hiroyuki Takei (Shaman King)
  • Kaiu Shirai, Posuka Demizu (The Promised Neverland)
  • Tsukasa Hojo (City Hunter)
  • Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist)
  • Kentaro Yabuki (To Love Ru)
  • Yasuhiro Nightow (Trigun)
  • Tadatoshi Fujimaki (Kuroko’s Basketball)
  • Katsura Hoshino (D.Gray-Man)
  • Shinya Suzuki (Mr. Fullswing)
  • Haruto Umezawa (Hareluya II Boy)
  • Takeshi Okano (Jigoku Sensei Nube)
  • Yoko Kamio (Boys Over Flowers)
  • Jigoku no Misawa (Tenshi no Drop)
  • Sho Makura (Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne)
  • Katsunori Matsui (Neko Majin)
  • Daisuke Moriyama (Chrono Crusade)
  • Takayuki Yamaguchi (Shigurui)
  • Mikio Ito (Normandy Secret Club)

As a passionate gamer and avid fan of manga, I can’t help but be amazed at the talent pool Shueisha seems to have on speed dial. It’s truly an honor to see so many talented artists jump at the chance to celebrate a classic like Rurouni Kenshin. The series is deserving of all the praise it receives, with its captivating story and stunning art.

The Dark History of Rurouni Kenshin

Towards the end of 2017, Japanese authorities conducted a search in Watsuki’s Tokyo workplace and discovered DVDs containing images of underage girls without clothing. The investigation expanded to his residence, where additional child pornography was uncovered. Reports state that approximately one hundred such DVDs were seized by the police, leading to charges against Watsuki for possessing child pornography in the same year. In February 2018, he was convicted and fined a sum less than $2,000 USD for his actions. Despite this, the creator of “Rurouni Kenshin” returned to work on the manga at Shueisha, leaving fans dismayed by what they perceived as a lenient punishment.

Following the arrest of Watsuki on charges of child pornography, the reputation of the beloved manga “Rurouni Kenshin” has been tarnished. Though many view it as a classic, fans find it difficult to disassociate Watsuki from the world he created. The ongoing publication of new “Rurouni Kenshin” manga continues, but worldwide fans are boycotting the series due to this controversy. This has led to backlash on social media against Shueisha’s anniversary tribute, and all participating artists are now involved in the ensuing uproar.

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2024-10-03 00:10