Tomonobu Itagaki, the man behind Xbox hits Ninja Gaiden and the Dead or Alive series, has been formally charged with sexual harassment. According to ZAKZAK, the former employee -- she quit on September 10th -- claims that she had a physical relationship with Itagaki since 2003 and is asking for the sum of 10 million yen (US $85,000). Itagaki acknowledges the relationship, but claims that it was consensual. Itagaki has reportedly been demoted at Team Ninja, though it is unclear if this was done as punishment or if it was done to downplay his image in court.
We have to admit the grim humor of the situation. He is the creator of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2, after all. We're fairly certain that it's at least a little funny that the man who basically introduced 3D bouncing breasts to the world is now being charged with sexual harassment. Whatever the outcome, we hope it doesn't interfere with Ninja Gaiden 2. We'd also like to note that this news traveled very fast; Itagaki's Wikipedia page is already updated for crying out loud! For our Japanese savvy readers, feel free to translate the original article.
Man, first there are movies on Marketplace, and now Tomonobu Itagaki is busted for sexual harassment. This is shaping up to be a weird day.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-07-2006 @ 11:09AM
Player1 said...
She had a physical relationship with him for three years, then quit, then is asking for $85,000? Yeah, good luck with that one. Unless Japanese laws are way different, you can't sue your boyfriend when you break up just because you work together.
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11-07-2006 @ 12:00PM
jc said...
Sexual assault is common in existing relationships, however that does not mean it is acceptable.
Honestly, the guy doesn't come across as having a lot of respect for females. It wouldn't surprise me if he is guilty, but on the other hand... just because one is charged, doesn't mean they are guilty either.
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11-07-2006 @ 12:15PM
Les Doodis said...
JC, sexual assault and sexual harassment are two very different things. Please don't confuse the two.
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11-07-2006 @ 12:54PM
SlyEcho said...
This is what I got from the Japanese article:
They were attending an important IT business conference and went to a karaoke bar after having dinner. Itagaki offered her a ride in his taxi, because they both lived in the same direction.
In the car Itagaki said: "I heard you got married." and "I love you," and started caressing her. He closed her chin with his right hand and grabbed her lips strongly. "He put his tongue inside my mouth," she claims. Itagaki is married with children.
Not wanting to anger the big name developer touching her breasts and hips, she did not know what to do. She cowered her body and somehow managed to resist him by saying: "No! Please, stop!" After which she pulled herself away from him.
After leaving the taxi, he grabbed her by the wrist and said: "Let's go," while trying to lead her to-wards a street filled with hotels. Half crying, she resisted and he gave up.
Even after that he repeatedly locked the door to the drawing room and proceeded to caress her. In May 2005, they went to a game convention in America [could that be E3?]. Using work as an excuse, he went to her hotel room and grabbed her from behind.
[OK, I had enough by now. Reading and expressing all that was really awkward.]
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11-07-2006 @ 1:54PM
jc said...
Les Doodis, you are right.
My first comment was not really about the article, seeing that they were not in a romantic relationship. It was a rebuttal towards Player1.
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11-07-2006 @ 3:15PM
Player1 said...
My comment was based on the article which read:
"According to ZAKZAK, the former employee -- she quit on September 10th -- claims that she had a physical relationship with Itagaki since 2003"
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11-07-2006 @ 3:33PM
mr.truth said...
speaking of confusing things,lets not confuse repsect with..."limits/boundaries" repsect is EARNED limits are understood.But either way after seeing that account of the events,thats sounds more like assault to me and one snap judgement from being rape
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11-07-2006 @ 8:43PM
mr.truth said...
Seeing as how she wants money instead of getting him fired,which would seem to make more sense if she'd really went to management as she said,makes me think its all a fabrication,considering how perfectly predictable it would be for itagaki to commit a sex crime,shes probably just a bitter girlfriend.That being said,she really should've handled it herself instead of trying to involve the company,at least at first,I mean i'm willing to accept the drivel that we're supposed to believe that gender has no basis on any other (atleast) physical characteristics and that race is just skin color and not heritage,fine I can pretend and turn a blind eye with the best of em,but when you want to come into fantasy time and break the illusion and turn back into a girl (in the gender role sense)then you have no place in the workplace because you've apparently forgotten (if you ever learned) what independance means and equality are supposed to mean.Some ppl are bound to be offended by this but the truth is Fact is more important than FEELINGS.Lack of respect for women?You're half right,I don't respect ANYONE that thinks just cause they were born human that they deserve respect considering the only real hardship you've likely endured was fighting the urge to become anorexic.Respect is earned remember that.
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11-08-2006 @ 10:33PM
Cooper said...
Directed at "mr.truth" At least in the US...
The whole point of a civil action is to receive money for damages. Additionally this is Japan not the US. Reporting your Boss to his superiors is a shitload harder to do, nevermind the social stigma that is attached to it.
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