Famed Japanese Toy Company Good Smile Has Reportedly Propped Up 4chan for Years
Source: Gizmodo
Good Smile, one of the worlds most popular toy companies, reportedly acted as the brace for one of the internets worst cesspools, financially backing 4chan. The site has gone on to facilitate harassment campaigns, racism, misogyny, and homophobia while being a vortex for internet conspiracy theories.
Wired reported on Wednesday that, based on partnership agreement documents, Japanese toy company Good Smile has financially backed 4chan for nearly eight years. The merch provider is known for its Nendoroid series and other scale figurines and action figures based on multiple major IPs, especially anime, but also Warner Bros. and Walt Disney properties. The documents reportedly show Good Smile put up $2.4 million to keep the site going when it was changing hands back in 2015.
Good Smile has been connected to 4chan in past reports. Last year, based on nondisclosure documents, Wired reported that Good Smile had played a part in the sites 2015 acquisition. Former VPs for Good Smile in the U.S. have accused the company in legal documents of trafficking in sexually explicit figures of underage girls, committing tax evasion, defrauding the U.S., and being involved with 4chan. According to The Hollywood Reporter, top brass at the subsidiary went to Good Smiles offices in the U.S. back in 2019 and were told by Enna Hozumi, the VP at Good Smile US, that Good Smile Japan had acquired 4chan and that it was being managed at the companys Tokyo, Japan headquarters. A company rep told the Reporter that Good Smile made a passive investment into 4chan.
The fine folks at the anonymous imageboard site 4chan have been involved in numerous harassment campaigns, such as recent attacks targeting LGBT suicide hotline workers. Its been labeled as the seedbed for the QAnon conspiracy movement and for the incel community. The online board was cited specifically by the perpetrator of the deadly 2018 Toronto van attack who specifically targeted women. Its otherwise continued to be a haven for far-right radicals and trolls of all shapes and sizes.
Read more: https://gizmodo.com/japanese-toy-company-good-smile-support-4chan-for-years-1850279267
There are only two reasons to back something like 4chan: For the money, which cant be the case since 4chan is not a money machine, or to promote fascist ideology at all costs.
Effete Snob
(8,387 posts)One of them weird ones they come up with over there, like Aum Shinrikyo
Either a doomsday religious cult or Nutrilife or whatever that MLM overpriced supplement thing is out of Utah.
On edit: Herbalife. Yeah, a religious cult or Herbalife. Same thing, really.
OAITW r.2.0
(24,455 posts)Hope this makes your corporate image a bad fucking implosion frown. Thanks for nothing, scumbags.
Effete Snob
(8,387 posts)I'm not sure a vendor of creepy pornographic dolls is too worries about the corporate image.
Allow me to quote from a product description on their website:
"Genitalia of naked version not depicted in detail in accordance with local laws and regulations."
OAITW r.2.0
(24,455 posts)Good corporate governance on their part....because I am fearful of naked genethlias and how that has nothing to do with the evil shit that they are underwriting.
Effete Snob
(8,387 posts)This is all fallout from a lawsuit filed two years ago.
https://kotaku.com/nendoroid-and-figma-company-sued-over-mistreatment-sex-1847684279
Nendoroid And Figma Company Sued Over Mistreatment, Sexualized Toys
Complaint against Good Smile cites discrimination, 4Chan, and lolicon
In 2020, popular figurine manufacturer Good Smile Company sued two former vice presidents, Guy Brand and James Young-sik Kim, for competing with its merchandise business while employed at GSC. In response, the former employees have filed a cross-complaint claiming that GSC actively profited from sexualizing underage characters, discriminated against non-Japanese employees, evaded taxes, and funded 4Chan.
OAITW r.2.0
(24,455 posts)And I am all for tools that make sexual moments a better, more satisfying experience for all participants....