Author of "Seisou no Shinrishi" Revealed to be Convicted "act-age" Creator, Sparking Industry-Wide Debate

A major stir is sweeping through the manga industry following the revelation that Itsuki Yatsunami, the original author of the popular series Seisou no Shinrishi, serialized on Shogakukan's manga app "Manga One," is the same person as Tatsuya Matsuki, the original author of act-age, which was previously serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Tatsuya Matsuki was arrested and indicted in August 2020 on charges of forcible indecency, and subsequently received a guilty verdict. In response to this revelation, the Manga One editorial department announced the temporary suspension of Seisou no Shinrishi updates starting March 2nd. Shogakukan explained that this is to cooperate with a third-party committee investigation, and stated that they will sincerely address any damages to the artist, Kaoru Yukihira, and the original author, Itsuki Yatsunami.

Readers express shock and confusion

This shocking development has led to numerous expressions of bewilderment and disappointment from readers on social media. Users who had avidly followed both act-age and Seisou no Shinrishi posted heartfelt cries such as, "This is too shocking..." "What should I do with a work I love so much?" and "I can't believe this happened to a manga I was really into."

The work itself has received high praise, with many comments like "It's an incredibly good work," "The counseling is realistic and wonderful," and "Such a waste of talent." However, at the same time, ethical questions are being raised about the author's decision to hide his past conviction for sexual offenses by using a different pen name. Opinions include, "If he had debuted under his real name, we would have had the choice to read it or not, so it's shocking that it was concealed," and concerns like, "It's disturbing to think that a victim might have been reading Seisou no Shinrishi without knowing anything."

Debate on social reintegration and the nature of the work

This issue raises complex questions for society regarding the reintegration of convicted individuals and how their works should be perceived. Some opinions do not dismiss the idea of a convicted person atoning for past mistakes and resuming creative activities, stating, "If his probation period is over and the artist is aware, then it's a wonderful thing." However, questions have been raised about whether sufficient consideration was given to the possibility of sex crime victims unknowingly reading the perpetrator's work.

Furthermore, given that the work's theme is a psychological counselor, some points were made, such as, "Is this appropriate content for someone who committed a sex crime?" and "If I were in the position of a victim, I might feel provoked." Critical opinions about Shogakukan's response are also scattered, with comments like, "I see no apology" and "Is this just damage control to avoid a Bunshun scoop?" The publisher is being called upon for greater accountability and stronger systems in the future.

The temporary suspension of Seisou no Shinrishi not only saddens many fans but also brings to light profound issues that require deep consideration from multiple perspectives within the manga industry and society as a whole: freedom of expression, ethics, consideration for victims, and the balance between preventing recidivism and supporting social reintegration.

The context

This news revolves around a major scandal in the Japanese manga industry. Shogakukan is one of Japan's largest publishing companies, known for its extensive manga catalog and magazines. Manga One is their popular manga application. Weekly Shonen Jump, published by Shueisha (a subsidiary of Shogakukan), is arguably the most famous manga magazine in Japan, home to global hits like One Piece and Dragon Ball. Being serialized in Jump is a dream for many mangaka (manga artists/authors).

The individual at the center of the controversy, Tatsuya Matsuki, was the highly acclaimed author of act-age, a manga that gained significant popularity in Weekly Shonen Jump before its abrupt cancellation in August 2020. Its cancellation was due to Matsuki's arrest and subsequent conviction for forcible indecency, a serious sexual offense in Japan. The scandal sent shockwaves through the industry and among fans, as act-age was a beloved series with a promising future.

The current news reveals that Matsuki had started a new series, Seisou no Shinrishi, under the pen name Itsuki Yatsunami, on Shogakukan's Manga One app. The discovery that Yatsunami was, in fact, Matsuki Tatsuya, who had served time for a sex crime, has reignited the debate about second chances for convicted individuals, the ethics of using a new identity to resume a career, and the responsibility of publishers.

The phrase "Bunshun scoop" (文春砲 - Bunshun-ho) refers to an exposé by Shukan Bunshun, a prominent Japanese weekly magazine notorious for its investigative journalism and frequent uncoverings of celebrity and political scandals. Publishers often fear being targeted by Bunshun due to the damaging impact their reports can have.