The Fukuoka District Court handed down a verdict to the manga artist Erika Ikeda, whose pen name is Nekokurage who is known for illustrating manga, The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) and author of Soushoku-kei Danshi. The manga artist was charged with violating the Income Tax Act for dodging paying taxes of about 47 Million Yen by failing to declare income earned from illustrations for the popular manga “The Apothecary Diaries.”
Judge Takeda Yuko said, “The Defendant committed large amounts of tax evasion over several years, which is extremely malicious.”
After that, the Judge suspended the manga artist for 3 years and sentenced the artist to 10 months in Prison. The manga artist has also been fined for 11 million yen.
Judge Takeda also pointed out that even though the manga suddenly became popular and artist started to earn large incomes, still, the artist has prioritized work and personal life and committed tax evasion crime.
According to the ruling, defendant Ikeda earned a total of approximately 260 Million Yen in manuscript fees and royalties from publishers over the three years from 2019 to 2021, but committed tax evasion by failing to submit tax returns by the deadline.
About The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries (Japanese Name: Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is a Japanese light novel written by Natsu Hyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino. This manga was first serialized in the user-generated online publishing website “Shousetsuka ni Narou” (Let’s Become a Novelist!) in 2011. During the same year, this light novel was acquired by Shufunotomo and published this series as a novel (Single Volume) in 2012 and later published this series as a light novel series in 2014.
This light novel later received 2 Manga Adaptations in 2017. The first manga adaptation was illustrated by Nekokurage (who is sentenced to 10 months in prison for tax evasion) and was serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan. The second manga adaptation is named “Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou” which was illustrated by Kurata Minoji and was serialized in Shogakukan’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X.
This light novel later got an anime adaptation in October 2023 produced by OLM and Toho Animation Studio. The Second season of this anime is officially announced!
J-Novel Club has licensed this manga in North America in English Language and describes its plot as:
“In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison! At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?“
Source: Livedoor News
