The Apothecary Diaries Artist Nekokurage Gets Suspended: In a significant legal development, the Fukuoka District Court has sentenced Erika Ikeda, better known by her pen name Nekokurage, the artist behind the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries, to a suspended prison sentence of 10 months along with a substantial fine of 11 million yen (approximately USD $70,600). The sentence, pronounced on Wednesday, is suspended for three years, meaning that if Nekokurage maintains good behavior during this period, the prison time will not be enforced. The prosecution had initially sought a harsher punishment, proposing a 10-month prison term coupled with a 14 million yen (about USD $89,800) fine.
Tax Evasion Charges and the Court’s Decision
The legal proceedings against Nekokurage began with an indictment by the Fukuoka Regional Taxation Bureau on February 29. The charges stem from allegations that she failed to declare approximately 260 million yen (around USD $1.6 million) in income and evaded roughly 47 million yen (about USD $298,887) in taxes from 2019 to 2021. The undeclared income, including earnings from manga sales, was reportedly used to acquire real estate.
During the first hearing on May 31, Nekokurage admitted to the tax evasion charges. She stated that there had been “no intention of evading the tax payments” and that she had been planning to settle the dues in one lump sum later. This admission highlights the complexity and the potential oversight involved in handling substantial earnings.
Public Response and Clarifications
In response to the allegations, Nekokurage addressed the issue publicly on X (formerly Twitter) on April 1. She explained that the oversight in filing tax returns was due to ignorance rather than deliberate evasion. Nekokurage emphasized that she had fully paid the overdue taxes and related fees in 2022 after receiving guidance from the tax office. Additionally, she sought the assistance of a tax accountant to ensure proper tax filing in the future. She clarified that this legal matter is a personal issue unrelated to the original author of The Apothecary Diaries light novel series or anyone else involved in the manga’s creation.
The The Apothecary Diaries Franchise
Nekokurage’s manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries began serialization in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine in May 2017. The latest volume, the 13th, was published by Square Enix on March 25. The series is also available in English through Square Enix Manga.
The light novel series, originally serialized by Natsu Hyūga on the “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” website starting in October 2011, was later published in print by Shufunotomo from August 2014 with illustrations by Touko Shino. J-Novel Club publishes the novels digitally, contributing to the series’ growing popularity.
In October 2023, an anime adaptation of the light novels premiered, airing for two cours. Crunchyroll streamed the anime as it aired in Japan and is also providing an English dub. The success of the anime has led to the announcement of a second season, set to debut in 2025.
Impact and Reflection
Nekokurage’s legal troubles cast a shadow over her artistic achievements and raise important questions about the responsibilities of creators in managing their financial affairs. The case underscores the importance of financial literacy and the need for transparent and compliant business practices, especially in the high-stakes world of manga and anime.
The suspended sentence and fine represent a pivotal moment for Nekokurage, who now faces the challenge of rebuilding her reputation while continuing to contribute to the manga and anime industry. As the legal repercussions unfold, the impact on The Apothecary Diaries franchise and its dedicated fanbase remains to be seen.
Conclusion
In a recent legal development, Erika Ikeda, known as Nekokurage, the artist behind “The Apothecary Diaries” manga adaptation, received a suspended prison sentence of 10 months and a fine of 11 million yen for tax evasion. The charges involved failing to declare around 260 million yen in income and evading approximately 47 million yen in taxes from 2019 to 2021. Nekokurage admitted to the oversight, attributing it to ignorance rather than deliberate evasion, and has since settled her dues. This case highlights the importance of financial management and transparency in the manga industry, impacting both her reputation and the franchise.
Stay Updated with the Latest Manga Updates.
[…] Also Read: The Apothecary Diaries Artist Nekokurage Gets Suspended Sentence for Tax Evasion […]