Guardians of Character Integrity: Koei Tecmo's Stance on Fanart in the Dead or Alive Franchise

The creators behind the Dead or Alive franchise share their approach to managing fanart, particularly concerning adult-themed content. This beloved series is not only famous for its engaging combat mechanics and entertaining gameplay but also for its iconic female characters, which gained additional fame during the Beach Volleyball installment. The unique attention given to character designs, particularly in terms of certain physical features, has contributed to its popularity across various audiences.

Nevertheless, the team at Koei Tecmo, the studio responsible for Dead or Alive, views their relationship with the female characters in a much more serious light. In a recent fan event, insights were shared by a spokesperson from the company, revealing a disconnect between fans’ perceptions and the creators' values. The creators express discomfort with the explicit fanart circulating on the internet.

According to the company's representatives, they actively eliminate approximately 2,000 to 3,000 pieces of such inappropriate artwork annually from various platforms. The reasoning behind this rigorous monitoring is deeply rooted in their perspective of the characters, who they regard as akin to family members, leading them to take strong measures against certain types of representations.