A couple of months ago in October 2022, NHK reported that the 35-year-old game and anime composer, Hidekazu Tanaka was arrested in Tokyo on the charges of attempted forced indecency. The story has since been updated by TBS News Dig, as Hidekazu Tanaka has now formally admitted to the obscenity charges.
As a reminder of the charges, Tanaka was accused of saying obscene things to a minor in August at a train station’s bike parking area, such as “I’ll give you money, so won’t you do it?” he also forcibly took her hand. When questioned about this in court, Tanaka said he “liked her face and presence” so he followed her out of the train to get her to do something obscene.
On top of this allegation, Hidekazu Tanaka also admitted to at least dozens of attempts of voyeurism. The composer was already indicted once for taking photos of women’s skirts at Ebisu station and more from September to October of 2022, and even exposing himself at Yūrakuchō Station. He claimed he did this to feel the thrill of possibly being caught, and wanted to relieve the anger and stress he felt from his job.
Hidekazu Tanaka’s trial is still underway and he has yet to be sentenced for his charges.
▍About Hidekazu Tanaka
Hidekazu Tanaka is a video game and anime music composer that worked at the studio MONACA. He composed several songs including music for Nyaruko: Crawling with Love!, Aikatsu!, Servant × Service, THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE: Kagayaki no Mukōgawa e, The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls, Sword Oratoria: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Hitori Bocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu, and Idoly Pride.
Hidekazu Tanaka is most well-known for composing the song “Star!!” for the IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls anime
His contract with the company expired last year, and he is also credited for composing the opening theme song for season two of Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out, however, the release of this opening theme song was canceled due to “various reasons”. His contributions to Pokemon Journeys have also been removed, as he was the composer for the show’s opening theme song “1.2.3”.
