YOKOHAMA -- Police in Kanagawa Prefecture on Jan. 23 sent papers to prosecutors on two men on suspicion of violating copyrights by selling AI-generated posters of anime characters, including those from the "Neon Genesis Evangelion" and "Yu-Gi-Oh!" series, in two separate cases.

The suspects, a 36-year-old man from Yokohama's Asahi Ward and a 40-year-old man from Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, are specifically accused of violating the copyrights of production companies for reproducing anime character posters and selling them between October 2023 and March 2024, as well as possessing digital data of the posters with the intent to sell.

According to the Ofuna Police Station, the suspects apparently used free generative AI software to alter the appearances of the characters, emphasizing their chest and other body parts. Among the altered characters was Asuka Langley Soryu, known as Shikinami Asuka Langley in the "Rebuild of Evangelion" film series.

Police believe the two men sold these posters on online auction platforms. The Yokohama man allegedly earned some 10 million yen (about $64,400) between October 2023 and March 2024, while the Hikone man made around 5.7 million yen (roughly $36,700) between July 2023 and April 2024. Both men have reportedly admitted to the allegations.

The two cases are believed to be the first in Kanagawa Prefecture involving criminal charges for copyright violations using AI technology.

(Japanese original by Makoto Kakizaki, Yokohama Bureau)