On Wednesday, IT Media News reported that Square Enix has no plans to cancel The Apothecary Diaries manga, despite recent legal issues involving its creator, Nekokurage.
The author, whose real name is Erika Ikeda, was recently handed a suspended sentence of 10 months and fined about 11 million yen (around $70,600) for tax evasion.
This suspended sentence means that if Ikeda maintains good behavior over the next three years, she will avoid prison time. Initially, the prosecution had sought a harsher penalty, including a higher fine of 14 million yen.
Earlier this year, Nekokurage faced indictment for failing to report approximately 260 million yen (around $1.6 million) in income and evading about 47 million yen (about $298,887) in taxes between 2019 and 2021.
The evaded taxes were used for real estate purchases. In court, Ikeda admitted to the tax evasion charges and expressed remorse, stating that she intended to pay the taxes eventually.
She attributed the oversight to ignorance and has since addressed the issue by settling her tax debts and consulting a tax professional.
The manga, which began in May 2017 in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine, is still ongoing, with its 13th volume recently published. An English version is also available through Square Enix Manga & Books.
The series, originally a light novel by Natsu Hyūga with illustrations by Touko Shino, has been adapted into an anime that premiered in October 2023.
The anime, available on Crunchyroll, has been well-received and is scheduled for a second season in 2025. Square Enix continues to support the manga despite the legal troubles.
