Guild Receptionist Light Novels to Be Re-Released with New Illustrator
The Gaou illustrator controversy has shaken the Japanese light novel industry after Kadokawa confirmed that Gaou admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a minor. The confession came during a livestream where someone claiming to be Gaou acknowledged the accusations. Following the incident, Kadokawa and other publishers took action to remove his involvement from multiple titles.
Guild Receptionist Light Novels to Be Re-Released with New Illustrator
Kadokawa officially announced the recall of print editions and suspension of digital distribution for volumes 1 through 8 of I May Be a Guild Receptionist. The company plans to re-release the series with a different illustrator, though no date has been set. Gaou’s 2021 artbook Selfie Girl Gaou Work Collection was also removed from print and digital platforms.
Another series affected is Hallelujah Vamp by Kouzaburou Yamaguchi, for which Gaou had illustrated all three volumes. Kadokawa has suspended digital distribution of those titles as well. The measures follow revelations that the alleged victim, who was 14 at the time of the first encounter, met with Gaou again this year at age 17.
Japan’s national age of consent was raised from 13 to 16 in June 2023, but local laws often set higher limits. In Tokyo, the effective age of consent has long been 18, and penalties vary depending on whether local or national laws apply.
The fallout extended beyond Kadokawa. Dengeki Bunko and Overlap Bunko both removed Gaou from their projects, including Welcome to the Outcast’s Restaurant!. Plans are underway to replace the illustrations in future and existing volumes.
DMM GAMES, the developer behind Girls Creation, confirmed that Gaou designed art for five characters. However, they clarified that he is no longer involved and that other illustrators have taken over.
On June 30, Gaou’s name was removed from the official site and Twitter account for the anime adaptation of Welcome to the Outcast’s Restaurant!, which premiered on July 3. Promotional videos were also taken down but have since been restored as of July 8.
Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint postponed the release of 1/n no Watson, which was scheduled for July 18, citing the situation with Gaou and announcing an illustrator change.
VTuber Yuki Sakuna, who previously collaborated with Gaou, stated she would stop using his illustrations and is now considering hiring a new artist.
Through a notification, Nintendo informed that the characters Tiki Beaschside Scion and Mae Bundle of Energy from the mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes will be changed, these were characters designed by Gaou.
Additionally, Gaou’s profiles on Pixiv and Pixiv Fanbox became inactive around the same time. The Pixiv page now shows error messages, though it’s unclear whether the deletion was voluntary or done by platform administrators.
As of now, Gaou has not released an official statement regarding the allegations.
