Vinland Saga English dub voice actor Mike Haimoto faces sexual assault and domestic abuse allegations.
As reported by Anime News Network, Haimoto’s former girlfriend, Avery Smithhart, accused the English-speaking voice behind Vinland Saga’s Thorfinn of domestic abuse and sexual assault. In a 50-page document, Smithhart, who voiced Prushka in Made in the Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul, explained that throughout her three-year relationship with Haimoto, he forced her to stay away from friends and family. Additionally, she claimed that Haimoto sexually assaulted her after a business party and invented several false narratives about himself.
Smithart uploaded text messages on Google Drive between Haimoto, law and legal advice and other personal conversations. Allegedly, Haimoto ridiculed people on the autism spectrum, even after Smithhart suspected her own diagnosis. During the relationship, which ended in 2022, Smithhart dropped to below 100 lbs for the first time in her adult life. “One moment I was everything he’d ever wanted and the next I was the most disgusting thing he’d ever seen,” she wrote. “I wasn’t allowed to cry in front of him or show what he deemed any ‘negative’ feelings.”
The Made in Abyss actor claimed that Haimoto told her he worked in Intelligence for the Marine Corps and the CIA before they discharged him for disobeying a commanding officer. He also informed Smithart of his symptoms similar to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and active therapy sessions. However, Smithhart soon discovered the truth behind Haimoto’s countless fabrications.
“To no one’s surprise, my ex never served. Ever. He never even went to boot camp,” she wrote. “Clutching his head and ‘cycling’ in front of me was all an act to scare me from questioning him. He wasn’t seeing his therapist for combat trauma or a disorder similar to DID.” Smithhart further expressed how Haimoto’s behavior drastically changed when around other actors versus around her.
In a similar vein as the Haimoto situation, several Genshin Impact voice actors have spoken out against their co-star Elliot Gindi. FretCore, a former moderator of the actor’s Twitch and Discord, posted a comprehensive document detailing Gindi’s instances of sexual misconduct with underage fans. Gindi has since posted a lengthy apology and admitted to the validity of the screenshots. However, he denied that he “knowingly did anything with anyone underage” or failed to respect someone’s pronouns.
Source: Anime News Network
If you are a U.S.-based victim of sexual assault or misconduct in need of help, contact RAINN at 800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. If you are based outside the U.S., click here for a list of international sexual assault resources.
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