Roiland’s former fans and dates described disturbing interactions with the animator, with many playing out over texts. One woman said the ‘Rick and Morty’ creator sexually assaulted her, another said she was left ‘traumatized.’ (Warning: This article contains expclicit language.)

In the years following the 2013 debut of Adult Swim’s cartoon phenomenon “Rick and Morty,” its star and co-creator Justin Roiland became a titan of the animation and video game industry and a rock star of youth counterculture. His artistic style and caricatures became ubiquitous in cannabis culture, and his career expanded into producing other animated series, creating NFTs and leading a virtual reality gaming studio. In 2017, a “Rick and Morty” collaboration with McDonald’s led to such a viral frenzy that police had to be called to at least two locations.

But as he partied with Los Angeles’ superstars and traveled the country for conventions, he also found he could use his fame to strike up conversations and develop relationships with young fans, including some who were underage. This is according to interviews with 11 women and nonbinary people who shared thousands of messages with Roiland from 2013 to 2022 — with nine of the people saying he turned the exchanges sexual. Of those nine people, three said they were 16 when they started talking to Roiland. To corroborate their stories, the 11 women and nonbinary people also shared pictures, videos, social media posts, emails, and plane ticket and Uber receipts with NBC News.

Warning: Lengthy and graphic details

  • CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1451·
    1 year ago

    Don’t mistake my comment as a defense of him as a person. He’s been accused of domestic violence, forced oral sex, and taking advantage of intoxicated women under the drinking age. Despite him getting off on the DV charge, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. He’s obviously a pretty terrible human being.

    I just don’t like people throwing around ‘pedo’ unjustly, because it waters it down and takes away the impact when used against even worse monsters.

    • Serinus@lemmy.world
      9·
      1 year ago

      Even the “forced” oral sex seems really suspect.

      But he should have been able to read the situation as well as anyone. If she seems to be setting a trap, maybe don’t fall for it?

      Either way, the dude seems to be tiptoeing around the borders laws that nobody should be near. Dude’s sitting and watching the clock for when his prey turns 18. Even if he might comply with the letter of the law, he’s clearly violating the spirit.

    • arin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1314·
      1 year ago

      16 is not prepubescent which is what pedo is there is another term for teens but i forgot.

          • sweeny@sh.itjust.works
            1·
            1 year ago

            Lmao a 16 year old being hit on by a 30 year old is not age appropriate sexual acts, it’s about mental maturity

              • sweeny@sh.itjust.works
                11·
                1 year ago

                Nah, I’m just saying I don’t feel uncomfortable calling someone who preys on children a pedophile, cause they’re gross either way

                  • sweeny@sh.itjust.works
                    11·
                    1 year ago

                    Allow me to recite the third sentence of that Wikipedia article you linked since reading comprehension doesn’t seem to be your strong suit:

                    “The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.[1] Children generally have fewer rights and responsibilities than adults. They are classed as unable to make serious decisions.” such as sex with a grown man

        • Cryophilia@lemmy.world
          812·
          1 year ago

          The term is “ephebophilia”

          Now you’ve read my comment

          Now you know what that term is

          Now you’re a pedophile

          It’s that easy! See you in Thailand!