Renowned anime voice actor and director David Wald recently took to social media to express his concerns about Crunchyroll allegedly opening his private mail and discarding letters sent by fans. In a post that garnered over seven million views on Twitter, Wald apologized to his followers for not receiving any mail sent to him care of Funimation or Crunchyroll in the past five years. He accused Crunchyroll of opening his mail, throwing away letters, and distributing any included items to their staff.
Wald shared a photo showing the contents of a package addressed to him that he claims was opened and distributed by Crunchyroll employees. He requested the return of any items that had been taken from him. Despite receiving some items from a kind individual, Wald expressed his frustration and hoped that the rest of the missing items would be returned to him soon.
Although Crunchyroll did not confirm or deny Wald’s allegations, they issued a statement to Anime News Network stating that they are investigating the matter and respect the privacy of their voice actors. They emphasized that fan mail should be sent directly to the talent and their management, and they do not intentionally open mail or packages not intended for Crunchyroll.
In a separate post, Wald hinted at possible additional issues with the streaming service, although he did not specifically name Crunchyroll. He mentioned concerns related to discrimination, medical discrimination, union busting, a culture of fear, and a hostile workplace environment.
The situation involving David Wald and Crunchyroll sheds light on the importance of respecting privacy and boundaries, especially when it comes to personal mail and communication. Fans of anime and voice actors value their connection with talent, and incidents like this can impact that relationship. It remains to be seen how Crunchyroll will address these allegations and work towards rebuilding trust with both the voice acting community and anime fans.
As fans continue to show their support for David Wald and voice their concerns over privacy violations, it is crucial for companies like Crunchyroll to prioritize transparency, accountability, and respect for the individuals who contribute to the anime industry. Communication and dialogue between all parties involved will be essential in resolving this issue and ensuring a positive working environment for voice actors and staff alike.
