# Romi Hoshino
**Wikidata**: [Q116026056](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116026056)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/romi-hoshino

## Summary
Romi Hoshino is a Japanese programmer, businessperson, and criminal best known as the operator of Mangamura. Born in Tokyo in 1991, he was convicted of copyright infringement in June 2021. He is currently active as a social media personality and YouTuber.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 10, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan
- **Nationality:** Japan
- **Education:** [Information not provided in source]
- **Known for:** Operating Mangamura; social media presence
- **Employer(s):** [Information not provided in source]
- **Field(s):** Software Engineering, Programming

## Contributions
Romi Hoshino is the operator of **Mangamura**, a platform identified in legal records as an "item operated" by him. His work in this capacity led to a significant criminal conviction for copyright infringement.

Following his legal proceedings, Hoshino established a media presence as a content creator. He operates a YouTube channel titled **星野ロミ【漫画村 創設者】** (Romi Hoshino [Mangamura Founder]). As of November 2025, the channel has accumulated over **33.2 million views** and approximately **135,000 subscribers**. His social media footprint spans Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, where he engages with a substantial audience under handles such as `romi_hoshino` and `romio_hoshino`.

## FAQs

### Q: What was Romi Hoshino convicted of?
A: Romi Hoshino was convicted of copyright infringement on June 2, 2021.

### Q: What sentence did Romi Hoshino receive?
A: He was sentenced to imprisonment with labor for 3 years, fined 10,000,000 JPY, and had 62,570,000 JPY confiscated.

### Q: What is Mangamura?
A: Mangamura is the specific item/platform listed in structured records as being operated by Romi Hoshino, the operation of which led to his conviction for copyright infringement.

### Q: What is Romi Hoshino's current online presence?
A: As of late 2025, he is active on YouTube with over 135,000 subscribers and 33 million views, and maintains accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads.

## Why They Matter
Romi Hoshino represents a distinct intersection of software development, digital entrepreneurship, and cybercrime. His case is significant due to the severity of the penalties imposed, which included a substantial prison sentence with labor, a heavy fine of 10 million yen, and the confiscation of over 62 million yen. These penalties highlight the legal risks associated with operating large-scale copyright-infringing platforms in Japan.

Furthermore, Hoshino matters as a case study in reputation and digital influence post-conviction. Despite his criminal record, he has successfully pivoted to becoming a social media influencer. His YouTube channel, which explicitly references his role as the "Mangamura Founder" in its title, has attracted a significant viewership, demonstrating a public appetite for content created by controversial figures in the tech and piracy sectors.

## Notable For
- **Mangamura Operator:** Identified as the individual who operated the platform.
- **Criminal Conviction:** Convicted of copyright infringement in 2021.
- **Severe Penalties:** Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with labor and major financial penalties (10M fine, 62.5M confiscation).
- **Social Media Influence:** Amassed over 135,000 YouTube subscribers and 33 million video views by November 2025.
- **Aliases:** Known by the alias 星野路実 (Romi Hoshino) and the handle "romio_hoshino."

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Romi Hoshino was born on December 10, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan. He is a Japanese citizen and speaks Japanese. His professional background is listed as a programmer and software engineer.

### Legal Conviction and Penalties
On June 2, 2021, Hoshino was convicted of copyright infringement.
*   **Imprisonment:** Sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment with labor.
*   **Fine:** Ordered to pay 10,000,000 JPY.
*   **Confiscation:** Authorities confiscated 62,570,000 JPY.
These legal facts are corroborated by references to Asahi news reports.

### Digital Presence and Social Media
Hoshino maintains an active digital footprint across multiple platforms, often using the handle `romi_hoshino` or `romio_hoshino`.
*   **YouTube:** His channel (ID: UCLqbWNi8Ym4gb3XbpHu4FMg) is titled "星野ロミ【漫画村 創設者】".
    *   **Metrics (as of Nov 26, 2025):** 135,000 subscribers and 33,242,757 video views.
*   **Twitter:** Handle `romi_hoshino` (ID: 1500128450186985472), created in March 2022.
*   **Other Platforms:** Active on Instagram and Threads under the username `romio_hoshino`.
*   **Authority IDs:** He holds a VIAF ID (4296169829177637320007) and an NDL Authority ID (033105092).

## References

1. [Source](https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/39c279d0c0659dba7421b37ca7237564de32e8d6)
2. [Source](https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP625HBSP61TIPE037.html)
3. YouTube API