Shogakukan Manga Editor Accused of Covering Up Author’s Sexual Abuse of Minor

Shogakukan’s Manga ONE editorial team issued a public statement on February 26 following confirmation that the author of Jojin Kamen, Ichiro Hajime (real name: Kazuaki Kurita), had engaged in prolonged grooming and exploitation of a minor over several years. At the time, Kurita was publishing Daten Sakusen under the pseudonym Shoichi Yamamoto.

Additional details emerged about an editor at Manga ONE who facilitated communication between the victim and Kurita via a LINE group during the serialization of Daten Sakusen. This individual is suspected to be Takuya Narita, who allegedly suggested formalizing a settlement offering 1.5 million yen (~$9.6k) to the victim in exchange for silence. This proposal was reportedly rejected, leading to a civil lawsuit. Narita’s role as editor for both Daten Sakusen and Jojin Kamen was confirmed through X posts, though the manga industry allows multiple editors. Kyodo (via Mainichi) and Sankei covered Narita’s involvement in drafting the notarized document but did not name him. The serialization of Jojin Kamen was subsequently halted.

A detailed account of Kurita’s crimes and legal battles was provided by manga creator Sumi Eno, who criticized the editorial department’s handling of the situation. Eno’s work, currently serialized on Manga ONE, has requested a pause due to concerns about the platform’s conduct. A’s case, which began in 2016 when she was 15, involved Kurita offering mentorship before manipulating her into private settings. The abuse escalated to dehumanizing acts, including forced consumption of waste and derogatory imagery. A developed dissociative disorder and PTSD after the three-year ordeal.

Kurita defended the relationship as consensual, citing dates and rejecting claims of trauma. However, the court ruled in favor of A, ordering 11 million yen (~$70.5k) in compensation. While A’s lawsuit against the Hokkaido school was dismissed, her legal team is considering an appeal, alleging the institution knew of Kurita’s prior misconduct but took no action. LINE messages hint at a pattern of inappropriate teacher-student interactions.

Eno also criticized former editor Yuki Wada, suggesting he should have linked Kurita’s real identity to his pseudonyms. The current editorial head, Hironori Hoshino, was not involved during the incident. Manga ONE’s recent video featuring Hoshino was made private, per the platform’s representative.

Other affected parties include Jojin Kamen artist Tsuruyoshi Eri, who expressed shock at the author’s actions and emphasized the distinction between fiction and reality. Ikka Matsuki, whose work is also on Manga ONE, criticized the platform’s statement for silencing uninvolved editors.

The incident has prompted calls for transparency, with some creators requesting their works be removed from Manga ONE. Updates will follow as new details emerge.

The case underscores the need for stricter accountability in creative industries. Platforms must balance artistic freedom with ethical responsibility, ensuring victims’ voices are heard without compromising justice. This tragedy serves as a reminder that behind every story lies real human suffering, demanding vigilance and compassion.

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