Interest

Sakura Wars Creator Photographed at AKB48 Idol's Home

Ouji Hiroi, the 56-year-old creator of the Sakura Wars game and anime franchise, was spotted and photographed entering the home of 22-year-old AKB48 idol Sayaka Akimoto by Bungeishunju's Weekly Bunshun magazine. According to the magazine, Hiroi arrived at Akimoto's apartment one evening and left the following morning.

Akimoto has since apologized to her fans on her official blog on Wednesday evening, saying that Hiroi visited to offer her advice on her role in a play by Kyōka Izumi, a Japanese playwright from the early 20th century. Hiroi, she said, was familiar with Izumi's work, and because the difference between their ages was like that of a father and daughter, she had thought no untoward rumors would be started.

Akimoto appeared as the character Nightmare in a stage musical inspired by the Fairy Princess Minky Momo anime and scripted by Hiroi in April and May. Ouji also told Weekly Bunshun that he had only visited Akimoto to discuss a play, and said that it was the only time he had been to her apartment. Hiroi has not commented further on his blog or Twitter account.

AKB48 member Ayaka Kikuchi was fired after photos with her reported boyfriend were leaked in 2008, but she returned to the group later that year and is currently a member of the band's Team K, the same division as Akimoto.

[Via News 109, Kotaku, Oricon, Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan Today, International Wota]

Images © Ouji Hiroi
© AKS