Koji Yamamoto, the producer behind Mononoke the Movie, announced his retirement from producing on June 5 via his personal X account. The final chapter of the film series, "Jashin" (Serpent God), just hit theaters in Japan at the end of May.
The decision comes after a firestorm of controversy erupted when voice actor Takahiro Sakurai, who was previously replaced due to a high-profile affair, made an unannounced return in the film. Yamamoto stated he would take full responsibility for the situation and issued a public apology.
Mononoke the Movie was rolled out as a trilogy starting in 2024. The first installment, "Karakasa" (Paper Umbrella), was originally slated for a 2023 release. However, after Bunshun Online exposed Sakurai's long-term extramarital affair in October 2022, the production team decided to replace him as the lead character, the Medicine Seller, with Hiroshi Kamiya. At the time, the official statement read:
"Mononoke the Movie is set in the Ooku and depicts the suffering and salvation of women. Based on the themes and direction of the work itself, we have made this decision."
However, when the third chapter, "Jashin," was released in late May, audiences were shocked to discover that Takahiro Sakurai was back, voicing a character in the film. This information was never disclosed by the studio beforehand, quickly sparking outrage online.
▼ Sakurai voices the "Hanare no Kusuriuri," who can be described as another version of the Medicine Seller.
Facing criticism, Koji Yamamoto publicly explained the sequence of events. He said that after Sakurai's scandal broke, there was significant concern within the production team, with some believing the project could no longer continue. He admitted that the decision to remove Sakurai was not just about the incident itself but also about the fear that audiences would no longer be able to enjoy the work in a positive environment.
As for why Sakurai was brought back, Yamamoto explained it was related to the plot of the third chapter. According to a previous interview with the director, the team had been grappling with how to conclude the story in the "Hyakume" (Hundred Eyes) arc that follows "Jashin." Someone proposed the idea of "summoning another Medicine Seller."
Yamamoto confessed that they had many other options, such as introducing a different version of the Medicine Seller, showing the original character only in flashbacks, or not having him appear at all. But, he said, they remembered that many fans hoped to see the original Medicine Seller again, which led to the final decision to have Sakurai's version of the character officially return.
He stated: "We hoped that fans who once loved this character but felt he had been completely erased would feel happy to be reunited with the 'Hanare no Kusuriuri' (The Parted Medicine Seller)."
Yamamoto believes the real issue wasn't recasting Sakurai but the lack of communication and proper handling by the studio. He explained that the team wanted audiences to experience a surprise in theaters, which is why they deliberately withheld the information and even implemented a three-day spoiler ban after the premiere.
In hindsight, he admitted this was a major miscalculation. "This deprived viewers who did not want to see this character of their right to choose whether or not to see the film. We underestimated the severity of the issue and are deeply sorry to those who were made uncomfortable." He also formally apologized for not disclosing the full cast list in advance.
In the final part of his statement, Koji Yamamoto announced his official retirement. "I have decided to take responsibility for my judgment and will be ending my work as a producer," he wrote. Yamamoto acknowledged that he had caused issues on other projects in the past by pushing his plans too aggressively.
While he had always chosen to persevere, he felt he had to personally take responsibility for the *Mononoke* incident. He apologized to the audience and staff who were negatively affected by his decisions. He also noted a growing disconnect between his own values and those of the current era and its audiences, leading him to step back. In the future, he plans to focus on management, mentoring new talent, and promoting industry reform.
Yamamoto concluded by reflecting on his career: "In the 20-plus years since my time at Fuji TV, I've been involved in the planning and production of about 100 works." Among them, he said, director Kenji Nakamura's projects have always held a special place.
He added, "I feel very fortunate to have Mononoke the Movie as my final work. It is an incredibly well-made film, and I hope everyone will go to theaters to see it."
Online, opinions are split. Some argue that bringing back Sakurai isn't wrong, as he is still an active voice actor, and the only issue was the lack of disclosure that angered those who dislike him. Others feel that since the studio explicitly cited the "themes and direction of the work" as the reason for his initial dismissal, his stealthy return feels hypocritical and distasteful, directly contradicting their previous announcement.
Despite the controversy, Mononoke the Movie Chapter 3: Jashin is already in theaters and reportedly performing well both at the box office and with critics. However, the unannounced return of Takahiro Sakurai has undeniably stirred up a debate, and only time will tell what the long-term impact will be.