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Love Live! Sunshine!! Director Comments on Twitter Harassment, Considers Legal Action
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Kazuo Sakai made statements regarding online harassment he received, some targeting his family, on Sunday. Sakai wrote, "I think it's natural to receive various opinions because I have responsibility as the director of [Love Live! Sunshine!!]. However, recently there are intolerable replies that include family matters. I will look at the progression and block all of these types of s after this. Please understand." Sakai also said he will consider taking legal action if such behavior continues.
He added that the same goes for people deceptively using his name to tweet and for fan s using his name. Various Twitter s referencing Sakai or Love Live! previously shared photos and videos of prank-style behavior. For example, such s posted images and videos of people lying on the floor of a train and setting up cameras to film on sushi restaurant conveyor belts.
One such group of related Twitter s, which feature the image of the same T-shirt that mentions "Kazuo," uses the hashtag "Sakai Kazuo Shineitai" (the word "shineitai" can mean "groupies," "ardent fans," or "bodyguards"). The s have names with variations on Sakai's name and "Love Live!." The s recently deleted content, including an announcement from April 29 about the group's apparent dissolution. The announcement cited Sakai's mention of legal action as the reason for the group's dissolution.
A tweet on a related responding to the dissolution announcement franchise rather than offer as they claimed.
Sakai's situation is similar to Hiroshi Seko received death threats after developments in the anime's romance triangle did not go along with some viewers' wishes.
[Via Yaraon!]
