Pierre Taki arrested, JUDGEMENT sales suspended by SEGA

News from 2019.03.13
Archived on 2019.03.15

A big news shook Japan's entertainment field today:
Pierre Taki, member of techno-pop duo Denki Groove and an actor who took part in the PS4 game 'JUDGEMENT', was arrested for using cocaine.
SEGA reacted with suspension of the game's sales (both physical and digital copies) and deletion of all promotional informations following the news.

弊社製品『JUDGE EYES：死神の遺言』の販売自粛についてhttps://t.co/0C3bp2b62P

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 13, 2019

🔵Pierre Taki, member of techno-pop duo Denki Groove and an actor who took part in the PS4 game 'JUDGEMENT', was arrested for using cocaine. Following this news, SEGA stopped selling physical and digital copies of the game and took down official homepage for the moment. What -- https://t.co/RsnssoTsj3

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 13, 2019

-- is going to happen with the game in the future, including international version of the game, is still to be decided.

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 13, 2019

販売自粛に伴い、『JUDGE EYES：死神の遺言』に関するツイート等は削除いたしました。何卒ご理解のほどよろしくお願いいたします。https://t.co/ET4m1CxJdz

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 13, 2019

Because of this, SEGA Official erased all their tweets related to JUDGEMENT project. What harsh measures...https://t.co/3d6AhrtsEH

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 13, 2019

It is a hard measure they took in responce to the news, and even Japanese fans are discussing wether this is an overreaction. Considering Japan has very strict laws agains drug abuse and a company does not want any trouble by presenting a criminal in its games and promotions, I guess this is the best SEGA can do for now to avoid even more unnecessary problems.

Additionally, the director of Judgement and CPO of SEGA Games, Toshihiro Nagoshi, has his policy to never include scenes with child death and drug abuse in the games. This may have had influence on their decision to suspend seles of the game.

Similar problem occured once in his Yakuza series already: an actor was arrested for drug abuse and had to be replaced. Same solution might be applied with this game, which means the rescission of restriction in Japan and release of international version will be delayed.

Official statement from SEGA on the topic:
https://sega-games.co.jp/release/190313_1.html

Any update will be announced.

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SEGA creators' reactions to Judgement incident

News from 2019.03.13-15
Archived on 2019.03.15

Follow-up to Pierre Taki's arrest: SEGA creators react to the incident.

Tomoya Ohtani-san (SEGA/Sonic series Sound Creator) being shocked by the news, and had hard time thinking what to write about it.

マジか、ちょっとショックだな、、足袋屋の店主はどうなるんだ！

— 大谷 智哉 Tomoya Ohtani (@Ohtanitter) March 12, 2019

思うところあって書いてみたけどやっぱり消してを繰り返した日であった😞

— 大谷 智哉 Tomoya Ohtani (@Ohtanitter) March 13, 2019

Ohtani-san and Hideki Naganuma-san (Sound Creator for Sonic Rush, Jet Set Radio series etc.) unhappy about Pierre Taki's music being not playable anymore on music streaming sites.
As composers themselves, they must have stronger feelings about how music is being handled...

配信停止とのことで自分とこのデータみてみたら、Apple Musicでダウンロードしてあったアルバム中 Shangri-La だけ再生出来ない、何故？🤔 pic.twitter.com/1tloI9CkbH

— 大谷 智哉 Tomoya Ohtani (@Ohtanitter) March 15, 2019

Even if composers/musicians are arrested, the music they made has no crime.

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) March 15, 2019

They have just stopped distributing Denki Groove's music today. #Spotify WTF.

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) March 15, 2019

Daisuke Satou, Produver of Yakuza series makes a statement:

このまま終わらせはしない。
このままなかったものにはさせない。
いつか、必ず、復活させる。

— 佐藤大輔@龍が如くスタジオ/龍が如く4 好評発売中！ (@satod_cs1) March 13, 2019

"I won't let it end. I won't let it disappear like this. I will revive it at one point, for sure."


Discussion over restriction of works by a person who was arrested for committing crime continues.
Do you think one should handle the creators and their works separately?

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Senoue-san celebrates 10th anniv. of Sonic and the Black Knight!

News from 2019.03.12
Archived on 2019.03.13

Senoue-san celebrates 10th annivesary of Sonic and the Black Knight since the release in Japan on March 12th, 2009!

How controversial it may be, to me, this game is still one of the best Sonic series - cool and tricky action with knighthood in consideration, lovable characters + multiple playstyles, hundreds of collectables and customization, unexpected plot twist, and not to forget, the great soundtracks directed by Senoue-san. And the ivy-motived design is just beautiful.

Happy 10th anniversary, Sonic and the Black Knight!

おっと忘れてた！日本では10年前の昨日（苦笑）2009年3月12日に「ソニックと暗黒の騎士」が発売に。"Knight Of The Wind","With Me","Live Life"など、好きな曲も多いです。

10 years ago today, "Sonic & The Black Knight" had been released for European market. (3/13 EU, 3/12 JP and 3/3 US) pic.twitter.com/vocHP4Z5ev

— crush40 (@crush40) March 13, 2019

"Knight Of The Wind", "With Me", "Live Life" and so on seem to be Senoue-san's own favorite songs, too. You are such a great composer, Senoue-san!

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#SonicTravels to Fuji International Speedway!

News from 2019.03.12
Archived on 2019.03.13

SEGA posted new #SonicTravels photo!
This time, Sonic visited "Fuji International Speedway" together with a SEGA Group employee 'Car-lover Tanukichi'. Perfect fit for the upcoming game 'Team Sonic Racing'!

The circuit lies very near to the Mountain Fuji. The view is awesome!
http://www.fsw.tv/en/event.html

#世界を旅するソニック

ソニックはセガグループ社員の「クルマ好きのたぬきち」さんと共に「富士スピードウェイ」へ！

『チームソニックレーシング』は5月21日発売です。

　”Speed”

旅するソニック特設サイトhttps://t.co/0Xzj5D4qJS

Japan,Fuji International Speedway#SonicTravels #segalife pic.twitter.com/l1Vo7IFdr5

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 12, 2019

For more SonicTravels pictures, check out their official website!

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Mazin-san's sorrow over removal of SEGA logo from old SEGA HQ

News from 2019.03.11
Archived on 2019.03.13

Yesterday, Mazin-san visited the old SEGA HQ in Ohtorii.
Today, he discovered that the SEGA logo on the 2nd building was removed at last.

昨日まであった大鳥居2号館のセガロゴが、ついに取り外されてしまったようだ・・・。

捨てるならください。

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 11, 2019

He says if the logo will be destroyed, he would have it instead...
Or will it be used somewhere else?

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Sonic series voice actors to the disaster of 8 years ago

News from 2019.03.11
Archived on 2019.03.13

3.11 is the day not to be forgotten in Japan. 8 years ago from today, a massive natural disaster, followed by a man-made disaster, destroyed the Touhoku region of Japan. There are still thousands of victims who have not recovered from that day.

Some of the voice actors of Sonic series expressed their concern and prayer for those affected on Twitter. (some examples below)

おはようございます
3.11から8年

— 神奈延年 (@ennen_7) March 11, 2019

"Good morning
It's been 8 years since 3.11"
-- Nobutoshi Kanna (voice of Knuckles)

【あの日、私は…】
新宿高層ビル群のクリニックに健診で訪れ、内視鏡検査の直後でした。まるで荒波の船内にいるようでした。グニャッと曲がりながら揺れる高層ビルの恐ろしい光景は今も忘れません。出来ることから少しずつ。#感伝祭2019 #日俳連 https://t.co/H8Tc4QPxRe

— 金丸淳一 かねまる じゅんいち 声の演じ手、歌い手。Kanemaru Jun-ichi (@junichisonic) March 11, 2019

"[On that day, I was...]
Right after a check-up endoscopy at a clinic in a high buildling of Shinjuku. It was like being in a ship in raging waves. I have not forgotten the fearful scene with bending scyscrapers while they were shook. We do what we can do, step by step."
 --- Junichi Kanemaru (voice for Sonic)

🔵Voice actors for Sonic series are praying for the Tohoku region, which was struck by earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdown 8 years ago from today.

Search '3.11' on Yahoo JAPAN to raise 10 yen per person for donation for recovery of victims from the catastrophe. https://t.co/6xcV0Z09uv

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 11, 2019

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✙ http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/donate/

Win Custom Phantom Ruby Awards at SXSW!

News from 2019.03.11
Archived on 2019.03.13

Not a Japanese news, but hey! Thi s is cool. Don't miss your chance at SXSW!

Custom Phantom Ruby Awards are here! Each features a replica Phantom Ruby and a golden finish base inlaid with 7 transparent chaos emeralds.

The top 3 fastest Sonic Mania players at the @SXSWGaming event this weekend will win them - good luck! pic.twitter.com/hxLeIGKdvA

— Aaron Webber (@RubyEclipse) March 11, 2019

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Mazin-san re-visits the old SEGA HQ

News from 2019.03.10
Archived on 2019.03.12

As mentioned in my post from the day before, Mazin-san visited the old SEGA HQ in Ohtorii which is in the process of takedown. It's about one month since he and all colleagues of SEGA moved into the new building in Shinagawa.

ゆーめをー作るーとても不思議なゲーム会社ー
東へー西へー、たどり着いたぜ大鳥居〜

って、ぎぃやあああぁぁぁぁぁ

キレイな顔してるだろ・・・
さっきまで命だったものが辺り一面に転がる〜〜うぉーうぉーうぉー pic.twitter.com/PZdTd8ztU9

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 10, 2019

Mazin-san sings about a mysterious game company which makes dreams, which he finally finds in Ohtorii after a long journey...
And his screams.
"Looks beautiful, right? It had life a second before, and now it's all rolling down on the ground... wowowow---"

(I don't know which song he is using for the parody, but we can see his sorrow...)

旧本社（大鳥居本社2号館）の定礎
セガ・エンタープライゼスはサイコーだぜ。ハヤオーバンザイ！ pic.twitter.com/l5mwmHL9XK

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 10, 2019

"The cornerstone of the old HQ (2nd building).
SEGA Enterprises is amazing. Hooray Hayao!"

(Possibly Hayao Nakayama, former President and CEO of SEGA)

このまま大鳥居の旧本社はセガ博物館として再生しないかな。メガドラ版ボナンザのオリジナルステージみたいなw

で、1階ロビーには体感ゲームとか全部置いてあってさ。

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 10, 2019

He wishes that this old building would reused as SEGA museum which is like the original stage of Bonanza (Mega Drive ver.) and the 1st floor all set with interactive games.

I also wish that would be true.

セガの痕跡は1つ残らず拾っていくスタイル pic.twitter.com/FKlOchKjxV

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 10, 2019

"Picking up every single trace of SEGA."

🔵Mazin-san visited the old HQ of SEGA to take some last pictures of the building with SEGA logo on it.
⬇

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 10, 2019

That must have been a nostalgic and heartbreaking trip for Mazin-san.

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Half marathon challenge by SEGA employee

News from 2019.03.10
Archived on 2019.03.12

Today was the day: Half marathon challenge in Tachikawa!

10 members of 7 different corporations took part in this event, such as TANITA, TAKARA TOMY, Tokyu Hands etc. to aim for total goal time of 20.5h. Fans can cheer for them and win special presents if they achieve this goal.
Those who cheered him with messages such as 'Go SEGA!' or 'I'm cheering SEGA' together with hashtag #立川ハーフマラソンチャレンジ , they could win a SEGA logo plain T-shirt (goal achieved) or a SEGA logo rubber key chain (goal not achieved).

#立川ハーフマラソンチャレンジ

セガさんを応援すると抽選で1名様にこちらをプレゼント🎁

タイム達成
「セガロゴ」プレーンTシャツ

タイム未達成
「セガロゴ」ラバーキーホルダー pic.twitter.com/HYu4ZC9QFE

— コトブキヤ宣伝 (@kotobukiyas) March 9, 2019

From SEGA, a male employee nicknamed 'メガネくん' (megane-kun, Mr. Glasses) participated with his Sonic cycling outfit on. Looks cool!
(Tweets from 2019.03.03)

#立川ハーフマラソンチャレンジ

コトブキヤさん特別協賛の3/10「立川シティハーフマラソン」に出走オファーがあったので、斜め前の席のセガ社員に走ってもらうことになりました。愛称は「メガネくん」です。ユニフォームはソニックです。応援よろしくお願いします。 pic.twitter.com/6ECwXeoMjm

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 3, 2019

#立川ハーフマラソンチャレンジ
メガネくんの紹介

✅マラソン歴2年弱
✅ゲーマー
✅楽器が得意→セガサミー野球部の応援ブラバンに参加
✅「某ゲーム発売日なんで有休とります」と申請→受理、喜びのあまり買った午後見せびらかしに出社
✅ユニはソニックのサイクルジャージhttps://t.co/gsecNrP3OR pic.twitter.com/wJqQt7I3Ne

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 4, 2019

#立川ハーフマラソンチャレンジ

絶好のマラソン日和となりました！！

距離は、

ハーフマラソン 21.0975km

参加企業アカウント10人の目標合計タイムは、

20時間30分（※無理ゲーでは？）

ソニックジャージを見かけたら声援をお願いします🏃‍♂️💨スタートッ！！ pic.twitter.com/zQNNbUUgjS

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 10, 2019

#立川ハーフマラソンチャレンジ

セガ社員も無事ゴールしましたー！

手元の時計で、1時間50分台！

夢キャス歩数計の記録では18810歩でしたー！（ソニックジャージ着用のためソニック好きの昴さんをチョイス）

沿道やタイムラインからたくさんのご声援ありがとうございました！😊 pic.twitter.com/u2OmE5rJ4Q

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) March 10, 2019

At the end, Mr Glasses goaled with less than 2 hours on the clock. Nice work!
SEGA Official thanked everyone who cheered him from sideways and on Twitter.

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Naka-san and Mazin-san on dismantlement of old SEGA HQ

News from 2019.03.10
Archived on 2019.03.12

It's been some time since the SEGA's headquarters moved to Shinagawa, Tokyo, and the takedown of old main building of SEGA was officially announced. Now it's really happening.
Naka-san and Mazin-san reacted to a SEGA fan's tweet on initiated dismantlement of SEGA's old  building in Ohtorii, Tokyo.

あーーーーーーー
セガエンタープライゼスが無くなり出してます。
やはり2019年2月末までだったようですね。
本当に残念ですね
数々の思い出が蘇ります。
とっても良い会社だったのに本当に残念です。
またハード出せる位まで復活させたかったですね。 https://t.co/qq1POZVWIP

— Yuji Naka / 中　裕司 (@nakayuji) March 9, 2019

🔵Naka-san: "Ahh…SEGA Enterprises is starting to disappear. So it was until the end of February. It is really is disappointing. So many memories. It was a great company so it really is unfortunate. If it could recover to the point where its own consoles can be developed again." https://t.co/D6oYEDSVKY

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 9, 2019

He used to almost live in that building for developing games day and night, and co-created one of the most iconic characters of the world. That place must hold so many memories for him even after he left SEGA years ago.


Another Sonic developer, Mazin-san (Masato Nishimura-san), who is still a SEGA employee and had moved to the new HQ now, has commented too.

あぁ、大鳥居の旧セガ本社がジワジワと封印されつつある。社屋の壁とかについてる立体セガロゴ、廃棄するならマジで譲って欲しい。超欲しい。くれるんなら俺の童貞捧げてもいい。

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 9, 2019

🔵Mazin-san: "Ah, the old SEGA HQ in Ohtorii is gradually being sealed away. If they are going to get rid of the 3D SEGA logos on the building's wall and such, I'd love to have them myself. I really do. " https://t.co/wiU9Xf6TgS

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) March 9, 2019

(In the last sentense in his original tweet, Mazin-san states with half-humorous/half-serious tone that he would give up his virginity in order to get them.)

明日大鳥居に撮影しに行こう。約1ヶ月ぶりの大鳥居。たった1ヶ月だけど、それまでは毎日通ってたギャップで懐かしい感じに映るんだろうな。

— まぢん (@Mazin__) March 9, 2019

Then he tweets that he will go to Ohtorii to take photos of the building tomorrow. "It's only been one month, but as I went there every day for work until then, it must look nostalgic to me."


The building is memorable for so many people, both for those who worked hard there and for fans who adore such hardworks.
The building itself is beautiful too, reflecting the blue sky of SEGA color all over. It's a shame that I didn't take my chance to visit there when I still could.
Goodbye, SEGA of Ohtorii.

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