Artist Gaou Accused of Inappropriate Relationship with Underage Girl
A major controversy is shaking the anime and light novel community as well-known Japanese illustrator Gaou faces serious allegations involving an underage girl. The incident was brought to public attention during a livestream by prominent Japanese streamer Korekore, sparking heated reactions across social media and industry circles.
Artist Gaou Accused of Inappropriate Relationship with Underage Girl
Gaou, known internationally for illustrating the light novel and anime Girumasu and the upcoming Tsuihousha Shokudou e Youkoso, is being accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a girl who was allegedly 14 years old at the time of their first encounter.
According to Korekore’s stream, the girl—now 17—claimed the initial interaction began on Twitter through direct messages, eventually leading to voice calls, gaming sessions, and in-person meetings. She stated that they met physically at Gaou’s residence, where the first incident occurred. At the time, she was unaware that Gaou was married, had a child, and was maintaining another relationship.
After the initial encounter, Gaou reportedly blocked her, only to resume contact a year later using a different account. They allegedly met again in May 2025. During the livestream, Korekore directly confronted Gaou, who admitted to the allegations, saying, “It’s true” and acknowledged his actions: “This is something I caused, I can’t deny it.”
Gaou also confessed to having had another similar relationship five to six years ago with a girl aged between 14 and 15. When asked if he had a preference for underage girls, Gaou responded: “Maybe I have that tendency,” though he added that “It wasn’t intentional.”
He stated that continuing to work as an illustrator online would likely be impossible and is now considering retirement from his career. He apologized to fans and colleagues, including VTubers and authors he’s collaborated with, for the damage caused.
The victim has not yet filed an official report but mentioned she would consult with her parents about taking legal action.
Industry Fallout: VTuber Reactions, Cancellations, and Credit Removal
In the wake of the scandal, other creators and publishers have begun distancing themselves from Gaou:
VTuber Yuki Sakuna, formerly known as Minato Aqua from Hololive, tweeted that she is reconsidering her future plans and will make announcements soon, possible because of Gaou.
The light novel One Watson in a Million, originally scheduled for release on July 18 and featuring Gaou as the illustrator, You can see the cover for volume 1 bellow:
The novel has been postponed indefinitely. Author Nuruta Ippo confirmed that Gaou would be replaced and apologized to fans awaiting the book’s debut.
Fans also noticed that Gaou’s name was removed from the official credits of the upcoming anime Tsuihousha Shokudou e Youkoso (Debuting July 3), despite being the original character designer for the source material. His name has been replaced with another artist’s on the official website.
The next major concern? The future of Girumasu, which gained a major anime adaptation and popularity. Gaou’s involvement in the franchise could bring further changes or public backlash.
As of now, Gaou has not commented publicly on Twitter since the stream. However, the comments on his social media pages are flooded with criticism and outrage.
What Comes Next?
This situation is rapidly developing, and the anime community is watching closely to see how publishers, studios, and collaborators will respond. With legal consequences still uncertain and industry reactions underway, this controversy could reshape the professional future of one of Japan’s most well-known illustrators.
via Você Sabia Anime
