The star of the Rurouni Kenshin reboot is making himself heard amidst the controversy being faced by the manga creator. The Kenshin Himura English dub actor has chosen to make a sizeable donation to a charity supporting abused children.
Howard Wang, the new star of Rurouni Kenshin, has addressed the controversy surrounding the series creator's arrest and legal issues. Taking to social media, Wang acknowledged the crimes of the author Nobuhiro Watsuki stating that he does not condone or support those actions in any way (via X). In an effort to contribute positively, Wang shared that a portion of his earnings from Kenshin would be donated to charity.
"To address the elephant in the room: Yes, I'm fully aware of the crimes of the author, and I do not condone or support those actions in any way. As such, a portion of all of my earnings for Kenshin are being donated to charity," he wrote.
Wang recently made a substantial donation to the Child Rescue Coalition, a global organization dedicated to protecting children from predators and rescuing those who are victims of abuse. This charity operates in 98 countries and actively fights against crimes such as those committed by the creator of Rurouni Kenshin.
What happened to the Rurouni Kenshin mangaka?
The controversy surrounding Nobuhiro Watsuki gained global attention in November 2017 when reports confirmed that he was under investigation for possessing child pornography. Police discovered DVDs with illicit footage in Watsuki's Tokyo office, leading to a raid on his home. In February 2018, the Rurouni Kenshin creator was charged and sentenced to a fine of approximately $1,500 USD.
The lenient sentence sparked outrage among fans, and the series has faced challenges in regaining its standing, particularly among Western audiences, following the controversy. Wang's commitment to donating a portion of his earnings to charity reflects an effort to address the concerns of fans and contribute to a positive cause.
The Rurouni Kenshin reboot is currently on its 19th episode which explored the backstory of Sanosuke Sagara and his friend Tsunan Tsukioka when they were both members of the Sekihotai. The episode concluded with a tease towards the arrival of main antagonist Shishio Makoto.
