The Apothecary Diaries Artist Speaks Out on Tax Evasion Sentencing

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As a seasoned gamer and manga enthusiast with a soft spot for fantasy and romance genres, I’ve been eagerly following “The Apothecary Diaries” series and its anime adaptation. The story of Maomao and Jinshi has captivated me with its enchanting world and intriguing plot twists. However, the recent tax evasion sentencing of artist Nekokurage (Erika Ikeda) has cast a dark cloud over this otherwise delightful narrative.

The creator of “The Apothecary Diaries” manga has issued a public statement to fans after being sentenced for tax evasion. This popular manga series has seen a significant surge in popularity over the past year, largely due to the anime adaptation of Natsu Hyuga and Touko Shino’s original light novels. The success of the first season of the anime has led to confirmation of a second season, and this has further increased interest in the manga adaptations of subsequent releases. However, unfortunately, the manga has received some unwanted attention due to the actions of its creator.

Since 2017, artist Nekokurage has been serializing “The Apothecary Diaries” as a manga for Square Enix’s “Monthly Big Gangan” magazine, releasing a total of 13 volumes so far. However, Nekokurage has faced criticism after receiving a ten-month prison sentence (with a fine of 11 million yen) from the Fukuoka District Court for tax evasion. In response, Nekokurage has taken to social media to inform fans that they are currently collaborating with a tax accountant to avoid any future mistakes.

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The Apothecary Diaries Artist Apologizes for Tax Evasion

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Nekokurage (whose real name is Erika Ikeda), facing tax evasion charges, expressed her apologies and gratitude to her fans for their support during this difficult time. She also stated that she will continue working on her manga illustrations. To avoid any future errors of a similar nature, Nekokurage has engaged the services of a tax consultant. Earlier this year, The Fukuoka District Court indicted Nekokurage for allegedly not reporting approximately 260 million yen (around $1.6 million USD) in income between 2019 and 2021, which led to an estimated tax evasion of nearly 47 million yen ($299,000 USD).

After admitting guilt for the charges, the artist emphasized that they never intended to avoid paying taxes and instead planned to settle the debt at a later time. Additionally, they assured fans that this situation was unrelated to their work on “The Apothecary Diaries.” Furthermore, Square Enix, the manga’s publisher, stated that they would continue to release the manga without delay during the sentencing process.

What Happens to The Apothecary Diaries Now?

In this court case, the prosecution proposed a ten-month prison term along with a fine of approximately 14 million yen (equivalent to around $70,600 USD). However, the artist was instead given a suspended sentence for ten months, with a reduced fine of 11 million yen. This means that if the artist maintains good behavior over the next three years, they will not have to serve any prison time. In a message to fans on X, it’s evident that Nekokurage is eager to resume work on their manga series, The Apothecary Diaries.

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Even though the manga version of “The Apothecary Diaries” is still ongoing, you might want to delve into its anime adaptation too. The second season of “The Apothecary Diaries” anime is scheduled for release in 2025. As of now, a specific air date for the upcoming episodes hasn’t been revealed, but you can stay updated with the storyline involving Maomao and Jinshi by streaming it on Crunchyroll. This year has seen an increase in its popularity, so fans of anime should definitely give it a try if they haven’t already.

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2024-09-10 01:10