This was reported yesterday and it still pains me, Kenshin was a big favorite of mine when it was coming out, and I never thought in a million years this was something I'd ever hear. His work never gave that kind of impression! I don't know if I'll ever be able to return to this series now, knowing this.
Yeah, I agree that from his work I am familiar with, I'd have never expected something like this. And the fact that there's a simple admission of it on his part is gut wrenching, especially since Rurouni Kenshin is one of my favorite manga and anime of all time and I've been looking forward to the new Hokkaido-hen story arc.
Re: a deleted post to this thread: Watsuki literally admitted & confessed he was attracted to elementary school aged girls so no amount of apologizing or explaining is gonna make it ok. It's not ok.
I didnt think I had to spell it out, but I'm gonna say right now that any posts excusing this kind of behavior will be deleted & warnings will be given.
^ I didn't see the offending post before it was deleted, but just as a suggestion, maybe having a couple of topics in the private area of the board regarding more sensitive topics (ie. Cosplay) might be a better way to go rather than to criticize people for their opinions? The way to get people to change their opinion about sensitive issues is not to shut them down, but rather to encourage a healthy discussion between opposing points of view. Shaming them for their opinion will just cause them to cling to those beliefs even more.
I'm not saying that I agree with Watsuki's actions - I don't and would like harsher punishments for those who engage in child pornography. Sadly, as is often the case, Watsuki will likely be able to publish his current manga after the media attention dies down and the fandom can no longer recall Watsuki's crime off the top of their heads.
Viz has already removed all trace of the new RK series from their website so I'm not so sure about that.
As for discussion on "different points of view", if anyone here wants to be on the pro side of pedophilia, they can just skip posting about it and show themselves out the door. If you think that's harsh, feel free to find some place else I guess, cuz I didn't think I needed to actually type the words "this forum takes a strict pedophilia is bad stance".
