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.

Toei and TV Asahi rewrote the finished episode overnight, cutting her scenes and replacing her voice, then cast a successor; they absorbed the cost, seeking no damages.

Underage drinking is a statutory violation in Japan, and GROVE terminated her contract the same day it confirmed it — there was no path to keeping her.

The episode was finished: episode 37 was complete with her in it, and the choice was a rewritten broadcast or no broadcast — TV Asahi chose the rewrite.

This was the final Super Sentai series: the incident scarred the franchise's closing season, and the follow-on Gavan series takes over in 2026.

The broadcasters absorbed the bill: TV Asahi's president publicly declined to seek damages, and Toei and TV Asahi apologised to viewers and sponsors.

A finished episode's lead going unusable overnight costs rewrites and patchwork airings — who swallows that bill depends on the contract.