Voice Actor Vic Mignogna Dropped from Studios Over Sexual Assault Allegations
- Katie Chock
- Feb 18, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 22, 2019
Vic Mignogna a well-known voice actor who has been a voice actor for 20 years is now under investigation for sexual assault allegations. While these allegations are now coming forward, the encounters date back to 2010. For those who don't know who he is Mignogna has voiced in over many animes and shows including Edward Elric in Full Metal Alchemist, Tamaki Suoh in Ouran High School Host Club, Browly in the Dragon Ball Super, Qrow Branwen in RWBY and many more.
The allegations against the voice actor have been coming forward recently from con-goers experiences. On January 16th, two Twitter threads were posted by @hanleia. It has caught the attention of many with over 4,000 retweets. The first tweet thread includes a photo of a written post of a con-goers experience she had with him. She describes her encounter with Mignogna cornering her in an elevator, proceeding to put his hand up the back of her skirt, and fondling her. The original post of her encounter can be read here. In the first thread, many others added their interactions with him. The second tweet thread goes into other details of accusing Mignogna of homophobia, rude behavior to staff, and bringing attention once again to unwanted advances towards female con-goers. There has been a movement on Twitter in support for those who have come out with the hashtag #KickVic, and to bring awareness to conventions about how people feel about him.
Many others have been coming forward as well with their own stories and posts. Among those a well-known cosplayer Jessie Pridemore. Pridemore's encounter with Mignogna at the Anime Next convention in 2011 can be read here. These actions have not been limited to con-goers but professionals voice actors as well. Monica Rial and Jamie Marchi have come forward with allegations. Though Rail has stated she is not ready to fully tell her full story she is coming forward saying this has happened to her too. Rial's story can be seen here. Marchi goes into detail with her story. She states that Mignogna ran his fingers in her hair, pulling back her head, and whispering sexual statement in her ear. Her full detailed account can be read here. These experiences are just a few that have been made public.
This conversation of Vic Mignogna has not only been brought to light from Twitter and other social media aspects but from an article from Anime News Network written by Lynzee Loveridge. On January 30, 2019, Loveridge article titled "'Far From Perfect': Fans Recount Unwanted Affection from Voice Actor Vic Mignogna" pushes this conversation on a well-known website. I urge you to go to and read this article.
Due to these allegations, Funimation and Rooster Teeth have decided that they will no longer be working with Vic Mignogna in the future and will be replacing him on his current project. On February 5th Rooster Teeth announced it would be cutting ties with him and on February 11th Funimation made their announcement of cutting ties with him. Mignogna has canceled or has been dropped from cons he was planning to visit.
With these allegations coming forward, Mignogna issued a statement posted on Twitter (see above). In it, he apologizes for any contact he has given to fans that may have crossed a line and never wished for them to feel uncomfortable. However, he denies all sexual assault allegations towards him. The unfortunate part of the claims coming forward are the fans who stand with him. They have been discrediting the claims against him, creating the hashtag movement #IStandWithVic, and creating petitions for Mignogna to get his job back at Funimation and Rooster Teeth.
Despite Vic Mignogna having a long and vast history of being a voice actor and very prominent in the anime scene, both Funimation and Rooster Teeth are staying strong with their decision. Though this has been brought the attention for the public, many of the decisions from Funimation, Rooster Teeth, and conventions were held internally. What is going to happen next for Mignogna is not certain. I can only hope for people to show support and strength to those who come forward with these allegations. It's not an easy thing to do, and it takes a lot of courage to speak out.
Comments