In a surprising turn of events, it has been uncovered that Japanese toymaker Good Smile Company has been secretly financing the controversial anonymous online imageboard, 4chan. New documents obtained by Wired have shed light on the company’s involvement in the platform, known for its often hate-filled and contentious content.
Good Smile Company, renowned for its anime and gaming figurines, has a strong presence in the United States and is widely recognized for its popular Nendoroid and Figma toy lines. These lines feature licensed figures from notable franchises such as Overwatch, League of Legends, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Cyberpunk 2077. The company has secured licensing partnerships with major entities like Nintendo, Sega, and The Walt Disney Company, enabling them to produce toys based on beloved characters from franchises including Kirby, Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Sonic, and Animal Crossing.
During an investigation into 4chan’s involvement in a 2022 racist mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, Good Smile Company was required to file documents with the New York attorney general’s office. These documents revealed that Hiroyuki Nishimura, the owner of 4chan, acquired the message board from its creator, Christopher Poole, in 2015. Notably, Good Smile Company invested $2.4 million, acquiring a 30% share in 4chan, making them a significant but undisclosed stakeholder in the platform for several years.
In 2021, a Good Smile representative confirmed to Polygon that the company was a “passive investor” in 4chan, although details of the deal remained undisclosed. Allegations of Good Smile’s involvement in 4chan first emerged in a lawsuit between the company and two former employees. The former employees accused Good Smile of tax evasion, discrimination, and selling sexually explicit anime figures depicting minors. As part of their claims, they also exposed the company’s alleged connection to 4chan, highlighting the platform’s associations with mass shooters, QAnon, and white nationalism. The lawsuit was ultimately settled out of court.
While the New York attorney general Letitia James has decided not to pursue criminal charges against 4chan or its owners, Wired reports that another law enforcement agency is still investigating the website. This revelation has left Good Smile’s partners feeling uneasy, with Wired stating that Disney, one of their prominent collaborators, has decided not to renew their partnership upon learning of Good Smile’s involvement with 4chan. Polygon has reached out to other companies, including Riot Games, Sega, Blizzard Entertainment, and Nintendo, who have licensed characters for Good Smile’s toys, for their response to the situation.
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4chan has long been a controversial platform, but its notoriety escalated after the Buffalo shooting incident, as the shooter referenced racism and antisemitism that are frequently found on the site in a 180-page manifesto. The forum has also been linked to the propagation of QAnon conspiracies, white supremacy, and propaganda. While the platform does host various other non-controversial discussions related to gaming, cooking, and entertainment, its influence on promoting dangerous ideologies remains a concern.
In light of the revelations, Good Smile Company is reportedly exploring options to divest from 4chan. The uncovering of their ties to the platform serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding corporate partnerships and the need for transparency and ethical considerations in such collaborations.
As this story develops, the response of Good Smile’s partners and the ongoing investigation by law enforcement agencies will undoubtedly shape the future implications of this unexpected revelation.
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