The manga artist Hisashi Eguchi, known for his work on titles such as ‘Perfect Blue’, ‘Roujin Z’, and ‘Sonny Boy’, issued a public apology at the end of 2025. The artist acknowledged the use of tracing, a technique of copying photos, in a commercial illustration created for a cultural festival in Japan. The controversy began in October when model and writer Kyū Kanai was surprised to see her own image featured on posters throughout the Ogikubo region of Tokyo without her prior knowledge.
Since then, Eguchi explained his work process and reached an agreement with the model through lawyers. However, due to the negative repercussions, major companies such as the Lumine store chain and Denny’s Japan removed his illustrations and promised to review future collaborations. Therefore, the case reignited a crucial debate in the artistic community in 2026: where is the line between reference, inspiration, and copyright infringement in the digital age?
From the Apology to the Practical Consequences
In his statement on social media, Eguchi was direct. He admitted that for over 40 years, he maintained an analog work method where photo tracing was part of the initial sketch. However, the manga artist also acknowledged that he did not update himself on the social and ethical norms that have evolved in recent decades. “I clung, unconsciously, to the immature understanding I had in my carefree twenties,” he wrote, reflecting on his career. After the initial contact, model Kyū Kanai gave her consent for the use of the image, but the situation had already escalated into a scandal.
As a direct result, Lumine Ogikubo removed all event advertising containing the artwork. Similarly, Denny’s Japan announced a pause in using Eguchi’s illustrations in their promotional materials. Thus, this episode serves as a warning for creators worldwide, especially in Brazil, where the fan culture for anime and manga is huge. The discussion about originality and the limits of reference promises to remain heated at the beginning of 2026, both in Japan and internationally.
