In the March 13 broadcast of I Live Alone, webtoon artist Kian84 traveled to Japan with TV personality Kangnam. The episode showed them visiting the Tokyo neighborhood of Jinbōchō, known for its concentration of publishing houses, as they prepared to meet horror manga artist Junji Ito, whom Kian84 has long admired. During the trip, the pair also stopped by Shogakukan, one of Japan’s most prominent manga publishers.
Shogakukan is widely known as one of Japan’s leading comic publishers, producing globally popular works through its magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday, including famous titles such as Detective Conan and Inuyasha.
However, after the episode aired, criticism surfaced regarding the choice of filming location. Some viewers pointed out that Shogakukan had previously been involved in allegations related to covering up a child sexual abuse case, bringing renewed attention to the controversy.
According to reports from Japanese media, a creator who had worked on the publisher’s web manga platform was exposed for committing sexual crimes against a minor student during his time working as an art teacher. The incident reportedly caused significant public outrage, and the victim was later diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
During the aftermath, allegations also emerged suggesting that individuals within the company attempted to downplay or conceal the incident. Claims circulated that members of the editorial department offered the victim a settlement while requesting confidentiality, sparking broader debate across Japan’s manga industry.
The controversy intensified further when suspicions arose that the matter was not limited to an individual editor but may have involved Shogakukan’s legal department and management. The situation created a major ripple effect within Japan, with some manga artists reportedly expressing opposition and even discussing boycotting the publisher.
Following the broadcast, online discussions questioned whether it was appropriate for the show to feature a company that had previously been associated with such serious allegations. Many viewers argued that production teams should conduct careful background checks when showcasing organizations with past social controversies.
Sources: Naver
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