Manga creator Nekokurage was given suspended sentence for tax evasion on Wednesday
Kodoani.com – IT Media News reported on Wednesday that Square Enix told the news site that the company is “not really considering canceling” the manga. The Apothecary Diaries of Nekokurage, after Nekokurage was given a suspended sentence on Wednesday.
The Fukuoka District Court sentenced Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda) to a suspended 10-month prison sentence and a fine of 11 million yen (about $70,600) for tax evasion on Wednesday. However, the sentence is suspended for three years, meaning Nekokurage will not have to serve any prison time if she maintains good behavior for three years. The prosecution had sought a 10-month prison sentence and a fine of 14 million yen (about $89,800).
The Fukuoka Regional Tax Bureau indicted Nekokurage on February 29 on suspicion of failing to report approximately 260 million yen (about US$1.6 million) in income and evading approximately 47 million yen (about US$298,887) in taxes from 2019 to 2021. According to the National Tax Agency, the evaded tax money, including income earned from manga sales, was used to purchase real estate.
Nekokurage pleaded guilty to tax evasion during the first hearing of the case on May 31. During the hearing, Nekokurage said that they had “no intention of evading taxes” and that they “were planning to pay in full at a later date.” Nekokurage responded to the allegations in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 1, claiming that they neglected to file their tax returns due to ignorance. They added that they had paid their taxes and fees in full in 2022 due to not reporting their income after receiving instructions from the tax authorities. They also requested a tax accountant to assist in filing a valid tax return. Nekokurage clarified that the case is a personal matter that has nothing to do with the original author of the light novel series. The Apothecary Diaries or anyone else involved in manga creation.
Nekokurage launched the manga in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine in May 2017. Square Enix published the manga's 13th volume on March 25. Square Enix Manga & Books publishes the series in English.
Natsu Hyūga began serializing the original manga on the website “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” (Let's Become a Novelist) in October 2011. Shufunotomo began publishing the novels in print with illustrations by Touko Shino in August 2014. J-Novel Club publishes the novels digitally.
The light novel series has inspired an anime series that premiered in October 2023 and aired for two seasons (quarters a year). The anime will have a second season in 2025.