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| Actress Maya Imamori Leaves Super Sentai Series Amid Underage Drinking Scandal |
TV Asahi has officially announced that rising actress Imamori Maya (19) will be stepping down from the ongoing Super Sentai series “No.1 Sentai Gozyuger” following reports of underage drinking.
Her management agency has also confirmed the termination of her contract, marking a sudden and serious career setback for the young performer.
TV Asahi and Toei Release Joint Statement
In a notice published on No.1 Sentai Gozyuger’s official website on Saturday, TV Asahi revealed that production company Toei had informed them of Imamori’s drinking incident.
“We have been informed by Toei that Maya Imamori was found drinking alcohol while under the age of 20, and they would like her to step down from future productions,” the broadcaster said.
“In light of the seriousness of the situation, we have agreed to her request to step down.”
The network added that it will continue to work closely with Toei to tighten compliance measures and handle upcoming broadcasts appropriately, while apologising to viewers and everyone involved for the inconvenience and concern caused.
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Agency Confirms Contract Termination
Imamori’s agency also issued a separate statement on its official site the same day, stating that they had verified the incident and determined it was a serious breach of contract.
“After careful discussions, we have terminated our management contract with Imamori Maya, effective today,” the agency said.
“We deeply apologise to fans and all related parties for the trouble this has caused. We will strengthen our internal compliance and education systems to prevent such issues in the future.”
Rising Star’s Career Comes to an Abrupt Halt
Before this controversy, Imamori Maya was widely regarded as one of the most promising young faces in Japanese entertainment.
She made her gravure debut in Weekly Playboy in 2023 and later won the Grand Prix at Miss Magazine 2023, gaining significant media attention.
In early 2025, she joined No.1 Sentai Gozyuger as the franchise’s first-ever female Black Warrior, portraying Ichikawa Sumi / Gozyu Unicorn, a major step forward in both her acting career and the Super Sentai legacy.
However, the actress had also been in the spotlight earlier this year due to tabloid reports in September, which claimed she was romantically linked with actor Kosuke Asai and footballer Yutaka Michiwaki at the same time — rumours that already stirred buzz online before this new development.
What Happens Next for the Series?
While No.1 Sentai Gozyuger continues airing on TV Asahi and streaming via TVer, it remains unclear how the production team will handle Imamori’s scenes in upcoming episodes.
Toei and TV Asahi have both assured fans that they will “take appropriate action regarding future broadcasts.”
TL;DR
Maya Imamori has officially stepped down from No.1 Sentai Gozyuger following reports of underage drinking.
Both TV Asahi and her agency have apologised and confirmed her removal from the show, as well as the termination of her management contract.
The 19-year-old actress had recently been gaining popularity as the first female Black Warrior in the long-running Super Sentai franchise.
Source: Livedoor News