Roiland’s former fans and dates described disturbing interactions with the animator, 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 explicit 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

  • Zoldyck@discuss.online
    718·
    10 months ago

    I’m gonna get downvoted for this, but it’s always funny to me how modern society “forgets” that men are literally biologically programmed to be attracted to girls are soon as they start looking “old enough”.

    And guess what, that doesn’t magically happen when they turn 18, it often happens at a younger age.

    And no, that doesn’t mean men should flirt with and date young girls. I’m just trying to say it’s biology. It’s science. Facts even.

    Edit: you guys are so predictable lol

    • UnhingedFridge@lemmy.worldEnglish
      112·
      10 months ago

      Yo, so why am I attracted to 30’s-ish taller women with bush and armpit hair that also look like they could crush my bones?

      Don’t start pulling biologically programmed out your ass when describing your own tastes.

    • balls_expert@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      102·
      10 months ago

      You do realize people have the ability to not act upon every urge right

      So who cares? You’ve got a brain for a reason