[gllgt]

https://us.oricon-group.com/news/6816/

Quote:

On November 8, Toei announced that Maya Imamori (19), who plays Sumino Ichikawa / Gozyu Unicorn in the TV Asahi tokusatsu series No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, will step down from her role following confirmation of underage drinking. Her agency also issued an apology and announced that her management contract has been terminated as of today. Under Japanese law, individuals under the age of 20 are prohibited from drinking alcohol.

A statement titled ?Apology and Notice Regarding the Cast Member of Number One Sentai Gozyuger? was posted on the official website, explaining:
?It has been confirmed that Maya Imamori, who appeared in Number One Sentai Gozyuger, engaged in behavior that violates the law prohibiting alcohol consumption by persons under the age of 20.?

Toei apologized, saying:
?We sincerely apologize for the great concern and inconvenience caused to viewers, sponsors, and everyone involved with the program.?

According to the company, the issue came to light when Imamori?s agency reported her underage drinking.

?Taking this matter very seriously and from the standpoint of strict compliance, we have decided on the following response after discussions with TV Asahi:
Termination of her appearance contract and removal from the series.?

Toei further stated that it will work to prevent recurrence by reinforcing awareness of social responsibility and ethics among cast members and production staff to ensure more reliable program creation.

Imamori?s talent agency also released a statement on its official site:
?It has been confirmed that our talent, Maya Imamori, engaged in underage drinking despite being under 20 years old.

As this constitutes a serious breach of contract, we have decided to terminate her management contract as of today after careful deliberation.?

The agency offered its apologies to fans and those concerned and pledged to strengthen compliance education and management systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Born in Miyazaki Prefecture, Imamori won the Grand Prix at Miss Magazine 2023 and gained popularity as a gravure model. Her role as Sumino Ichikawa / Gozyu Unicorn in Number One Sentai Gozyuger drew attention as the first-ever female Black Ranger in the franchise.

At the series? press conference in January, she expressed enthusiasm:
?I want to give my all every day so that viewers can enjoy the show each week. I hope to create a work that makes people think, ?This is wonderful!? at every moment.?

Following the controversy, Imamori posted an apology on Instagram:
?I sincerely apologize for the trouble and concern I have caused many people due to my careless actions. Drinking alcohol while underage is a shameful act as both a member of society and as an individual. I deeply regret my actions and am reflecting on them seriously.?

She continued:
?I would like to apologize once again to my fans, everyone involved, and my co-stars for causing great trouble and disappointment. Through this incident, I will reflect on my immaturity, face the consequences of betraying the trust placed in me, and live my life with sincerity so that this will never happen again. I am truly sorry.?

[Kiwami]

An adult woman's career getting publically executed over something this trivial is just all around disgusting.

[DaikaijuSokogeki01]

Holy hell. It's crazy that this is happening while I'm rewatching Bioman, the last time a Ranger was forced to abruptly leave the series. So close to the finish line too, as they probably only had a handful of episodes left to film.

Agreed with Kiwami too. She will never get another serious acting job again, which is a damned shame because she's a lot of fun in the role.

[Dbenavidez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwami

An adult woman's career getting publically executed over something this trivial is just all around disgusting.

but who's gonna be gozyu unicorn?

[gllgt]

People who think she got publicly fired over underage drinking not realizing that in of itself is a cover story are not gonna make it.

[DaikaijuSokogeki01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbenavidez

but who's gonna be gozyu unicorn?

Buddy, who gives a fuck. A woman who has been racially harassed for months and has had tabloids spreading stories defaming her character has had her career torpedoed by a misogynistic and ass backwards industry, and no one in power at Toei or her agency is doing anything to defend her.

I am seriously worried for her safety now.

[acdcguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gllgt

People who think she got publicly fired over underage drinking not realizing that in of itself is a cover story are not gonna make it.

Cover for what?

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gllgt

Imamori?s talent agency also released a statement on its official site:
?It has been confirmed that our talent, Maya Imamori, engaged in underage drinking despite being under 20 years old.

Geez, they seriously used the word, "engaged". Kind of poor timing for a joke, huh. Also, "despite" doesn't make sense, as being underage and underage drinking is cause and effect. What a terrible paragraph.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwami

An adult woman's career getting publically executed over something this trivial is just all around disgusting.

I wouldn't go as far as calling it disgusting, but it's certainly unfortunate for both Imamori and fans of the show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaikaijuSokogeki01

Holy hell. It's crazy that this is happening while I'm rewatching Bioman, the last time a Ranger was forced to abruptly leave the series. So close to the finish line too, as they probably only had a handful of episodes left to film.

It's spooky for me that I watched Episode 36 yesterday which ended with Genji inviting Kinjirou out to drink and Kinjirou declining due to being "underage".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbenavidez

but who's gonna be gozyu unicorn?

According to rumors, Oto.

Quote:

Originally Posted by acdcguy

Cover for what?

A malicious scandal made up by a tabloid claiming that Imamori was having an affair with married man Asai, the former suit actor of Gozyu Wolf who retired due to health problems.

[Shin Henshin]

I get the whole thing about wanting to be mad at Toei or her agency over this considering the former's no stranger to actresses not being treated or supported well in some instances, but we also gotta keep in mind that what's involved here are held at different levels of contempt than they would be in the west.

Like drinking while being under the legal age may as well be par for course here. In Japan it's a serious offense. Couple that with the fact that she's one of the current faces of Sentai and is meant to be a role model for the younger generation, her being cut off immediately makes sense. It sucks, yeah, but it makes sense.

Same with the rumored affair. If it's true, then the above still applies. If either ended up happening, then it's a case of someone doing their own career in with their own actions. The third possibility is neither happened and it's a way to cut losses and distance themselves from her and any negative rumors and press surrounding her, which would then be squarely the fault of her agency and Toei, but no one has any clear evidence of that either outside of hearsay.

In the end it's still an unfortunate situation all-around. An actress's career is essentially completely ruined and the series now has this uncomfortable stain on it as a result. But let's not immediately just jump to "female actress = infallible/thrown under the bus" when all we have is broad reporting, statements and rumors to bounce off of.

[gllgt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Geez, they seriously used the word, "engaged". Kind of poor timing for a joke, huh. Also, "despite" doesn't make sense, as being underage and underage drinking is cause and effect. What a terrible paragraph.

It's a machine translation of Japanese article. Please stop being dim.