917


There were several news articles during the airing of Kokoro Connect regarding
some sort of a controversy during the production of the anime. This lead to a
pretty substantial boycott effort. I didn't watch the show and didn't follow
the news pieces, so I don't really know the specifics, and it's hard to tell
what actually happened and in what order now since the articles I could find
don't describe the whole event.

Can anyone provide a relatively complete chronological account of the major
events that happened in the controversy, with appropriate sources?


CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-10T23:47:35.340
902
2013-01-12T03:30:11.393
24
question
anime-production kokoro-connect
What was the controversy with Kokoro Connect?


All dates listed are in 2012. I have merely summarized the events and more
detailed information can be found via the source links.

## June 24: Advanced Screening Event

Some time before this date, Mitsuhiro Ichiki auditioned for an original
character for the TV series. He was invited to the screening event as "a
surprise voice cast member". However, at the event, he was informed that he
was actually appointed "Head of Public Relations" for the series. The original
character does not actually exist.

Source: [ANN](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-04/kokoro-connect-
staff-issues-statements-on-performer-treatment)

## September 2: Twitter

The opening theme's composer, Hajime Kikuchi, sent rude tweets to well known
voice actor and singer Momoi Halko. He decided to step away from the music
group (eufonius), but it's unclear whether this was truly his own action or
something "forced" upon him by the label.

Source: [ANN](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-08/composer-hajime-
kikuchi-steps-away-from-band-eufonius) and
[MAL](http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=498753)

As a result (well, according to the animation studio, due to "production
issues"), the opening theme was changed on the BD/DVD release of the series
and for some of the episodes during the TV airing. This was probably the cause
of the BD/DVD release getting delayed by a month.

Source: Two ANN articles:
[One](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-10/all-kokoro-connect-
bds/dvds-delayed-1-month) and
[two](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-01/kokoro-connect-bds/dvds-
to-use-different-opening-theme)

The linked ANN article for the screening event also mentions that Hajime
Kikuchi may have made some tweets about that incident, but it does not mention
whether they were apologetic or negative.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-12T03:30:11.393
917
2013-01-12T03:30:11.393
107
902
answer