Maya Imamori #

Introduction #

Maya Imamori is a Japanese actress whose breakthrough role ended abruptly in November 2025, when she was 19 years old. She played Sumino Ichikawa, who transforms into Gozyu Unicorn, in “No.1 Sentai Gozyuger,” the TV Asahi and Toei series in the long-running Super Sentai franchise’s Sunday morning slot, and her casting had been noted as historic: she was the first female Black Ranger in the franchise’s history. On November 8, 2025, Toei announced that it had fired her after it was confirmed she had consumed alcohol while underage — Japan’s legal drinking age is 20 — and her talent agency terminated her management contract the same day. Within three weeks she was gone from the series entirely.

Background Information #

Imamori is from Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Japan. She came to public attention by winning the Grand Prix at Miss Magazine 2023 and became well known in the gravure modeling scene. She made her film debut in “Kokoro no Futa: Yuki Furu Machi de” (2024). Her casting in “No.1 Sentai Gozyuger” then placed her in one of Japanese children’s television’s most visible roles: Gozyu Unicorn, the first-ever female Black Ranger in the franchise. At the series’ press conference in January, she described her ambition plainly: “I want to give my all every day so that viewers can enjoy the show each week.”

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation #

The matter came to light when Imamori’s own agency reported to the production that she had drunk alcohol while underage. Because she was 19, the drinking violated Japanese law, which prohibits alcohol consumption by persons under the age of 20. On November 8, 2025, Toei announced her removal in a statement titled “Apology and Notice Regarding the Cast Member of Number One Sentai Gozyuger,” saying: “It has been confirmed that Maya Imamori engaged in behavior that violates the law prohibiting alcohol consumption by persons under the age of 20.” The company apologized for the concern caused to viewers, sponsors, and everyone involved with the program, and said that after being informed by her agency it decided, in negotiations with TV Asahi, to nullify her appearance contract and remove her from the series. Her agency, Seju, terminated her management contract the same day, stating: “As this constitutes a serious breach of contract, we have decided to terminate her management contract as of today after careful deliberation.” The conduct was confirmed and admitted — by the agency’s report, Toei’s statement, and Imamori’s own apology — and no criminal charge was reported.

Public Reaction and Consequences #

The production moved immediately. The November 2 broadcast was temporarily halted while the schedule was adjusted, and the November 9 episode aired without Imamori’s name in the opening credits; scenes showing her human character were removed, while suit-only action sequences for Gozyu Unicorn were retained to preserve continuity until a replacement could appear. Imamori responded with a public apology on Instagram: “I sincerely apologize for the trouble and concern I have caused many people due to my careless actions. Drinking alcohol while underage is a shameful act as both a member of society and as an individual.” She added: “I would like to apologize once again to my fans, everyone involved, and my co-stars for causing great trouble and disappointment. Through this incident, I will reflect on my immaturity, face the consequences of betraying the trust placed in me, and live my life with sincerity so that this will never happen again.” TV Asahi’s president addressed the case at a regular press briefing in Roppongi on November 25, apologizing to viewers, parents, and production staff and acknowledging the serious concern caused by an incident on a program aimed at children: “As this is a children’s programme, we deeply regret that such an incident occurred. We will take thorough steps to prevent a recurrence and ensure stronger compliance measures going forward.” The network also said it was not considering pursuing damages or compensation from Imamori.

Current Status #

Kohaku Shida, 21 — already known to tokusatsu viewers as Haruka Kito, the Oni Sister, in “Avataro Sentai Donbrothers” — was confirmed as the new Gozyu Unicorn, beginning with Episode 40 on November 30, 2025. Her casting was received positively by fans familiar with her earlier work. For Imamori, the professional machinery closed quickly: her profile was removed from Seju’s website and her social media accounts were set to private shortly after the termination. Neither TV Asahi nor the agency has commented on her future activities, and her standing in the industry remains publicly uncertain.

Impact on Their Career/Life #

The professional cost was immediate and total. In a single day, Imamori lost the role that had made her widely known and the agency contract that supported her career. The swiftness of the response reflected the setting: a lead role on a children’s programme carries compliance obligations that the Japanese entertainment industry enforces strictly, and this was an employment action, not a legal one — no criminal charge was reported. Her case also fed discussion of the pressures on young performers and of compliance education across the industry, with Toei and Seju both pledging reinforced training and oversight. Before the incident, Imamori had moved quickly from a Grand Prix win to gravure modeling, a film debut, and one of the most visible roles in the Super Sentai franchise; her path forward after its loss has not been charted publicly.