Popular voice actress Yui Ogura, known for her roles as Priestess in "Goblin Slayer," Hime Shiragaki in "Yuri Is My Job!," and Marnie in "Pokémon Journeys," has captivated a massive fanbase with her sweet voice and adorable image. Beyond voice acting, she's also a successful solo artist with a dedicated following, consistently releasing music.
However, her official website dropped a bombshell today (May 13), revealing that items intended for disposal, previously handed over to a vendor, were secretly snatched and resold by a third party. The agency expressed shock and deep regret over this unauthorized act.
The statement emphasized that these items were slated for disposal, and the company never authorized anyone to transfer or sell them. The agency has already brought in legal counsel, is evaluating legal action, and will cooperate with the police, not ruling out criminal charges. All resold items have since been recovered.
The agency also urged fans to refrain from making baseless comments or spreading rumors on social media, warning that such actions could complicate matters and potentially lead to defamation or privacy invasion. They asked fans for their understanding and apologized for any distress caused, promising to review internal management processes to prevent similar incidents.
Netizens quickly uncovered online auctions selling Yui Ogura's stage costumes, with one fetching a staggering ¥1.55 million. This confirmed the unauthorized sales were indeed happening.
Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. Japan's ACG (Anime, Comics, Games) scene has seen similar cases where event standees and decorations, meant for disposal after events, were stolen by unscrupulous individuals and sold online. What should have been trash often turns into illicit profit, fueled by a strong market of dedicated fans willing to spend big on such memorabilia.
▼ It's not uncommon to see similar items pop up on Japanese auction sites—advertising billboards, event props, and even banners. The source of these items is often questionable, likely involving theft.
Perhaps agencies need to establish tighter agreements with their contractors; otherwise, these kinds of incidents might just keep repeating.