India, Jan. 12 -- Koichiro Ito, a longtime collaborator of internationally-loved anime filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, could face a six-year prison sentence.

The Japanese producer behind several massive hits like Suzume, Your Name, Weathering With You, The Garden of Words and Children Who Chase Lost Voices was arrested in February 2024 for soliciting explicit images from a minor. Weeks later, he was again taken into custody on suspicion of sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl in exchange for cash after meeting her on social media. The anime producer was fully aware of the victim being underage. He has since been accused of rape and child pornography, and child prostitution law violations.

Adding to charges against him, Japanese outlets NHK New...