Rurouni Kenshin's sequel tale is resuming publication, but should anybody read it after Nobuhiro Watsuki's offense?
Some more news I almost missed: the creator of the Rurouni Kenshin manga is having his sequel story resume publication, even after he was convicted of possessing child porn tapes:
So it's really not much use at this point to continue publishing the latest manga story Watsuki's got, given that there won't be as many people left who'll care to read it. Hopefully, the audience will refrain from putting money into his pockets, because people who aid and abet violations of human rights are just as scummy as the exploiters themselves, and have to be sent a message their actions are unacceptable.
Update: according to Anime News Network, Viz Media's not carrying Rurouni Kenshin anymore in their anthology, and it doesn't look like many people mind.
The official website of Shueisha's Jump SQ. magazine announced on Monday that Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc manga will resume in the magazine's July issue on June 4. The manga went on hiatus last December following Watsuki being charged for possession of child pornography. Watsuki was later fined 200,000 yen (about US$1,900) in February.Not enough, I'm afraid. He'd have to serve a jail sentence for several years before an apology could be fully accepted, and go for therapy to boot. Besides, why should anybody really have desires for his work after he aided and abetted a serious offense, and why must publishing his story be considered a "duty"? I don't get it. After the scandal, it's an almost forgone conclusion Watsuki's fanbase outside Japan will be diminished, and he won't enjoy the levels of popularity he once had.
The announcement noted that Watsuki is living a life of reflection and atonement, but that Shueisha and Watsuki decided that continuing the manga to answer the desires of fans was a matter of duty.
At the time of the manga's hiatus, Shueisha commented that it is taking this news seriously, and that Watsuki expresses deep regret.
So it's really not much use at this point to continue publishing the latest manga story Watsuki's got, given that there won't be as many people left who'll care to read it. Hopefully, the audience will refrain from putting money into his pockets, because people who aid and abet violations of human rights are just as scummy as the exploiters themselves, and have to be sent a message their actions are unacceptable.
Update: according to Anime News Network, Viz Media's not carrying Rurouni Kenshin anymore in their anthology, and it doesn't look like many people mind.
Labels: Europe and Asia, manga and anime, misogyny and racism, moonbat artists, violence
