Gozyuger cut its heroine from a finished episode after underage drinking

On 8 November 2025, GROVE announced it had terminated its management contract with actress and singer Imamori Maya after confirmed underage drinking — a violation of Japan's law prohibiting drinking under 20. The same day, Toei announced after consultation with TV Asahi that she would be removed from No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, the final Super Sentai series.

Episode 37 aired on 9 November with her name removed from the opening credits and all her scenes cut: the transformed Gojyu Unicorn appeared only in battle sequences, and she recorded no new audio — the character's voice was supplied by voice actress Maekawa Ayaka. The finished episode had been rewritten overnight.

On 15 November, Toei and TV Asahi announced actress and voice actress Shida Kohaku, 21, as her successor, debuting as Ichikawa Sumino from episode 40 on 30 November — a mid-season casting change that left several episodes airing with the heroine absent.

The broadcasters absorbed the damage: TV Asahi president Nishi told reporters on 25 November that the network was not considering compensation claims, and both Toei and TV Asahi apologised to viewers and sponsors and announced compliance measures. The half-century-old franchise's closing season carried a patchwork episode instead of its star.