Square Enix has confirmed that there are no plans to cancel the serialization of The Apothecary Diaries manga, despite the recent conviction of its artist, Nekokurage. This information was disclosed to ITmedia NEWS on July 24, 2024.
“We are not considering discontinuing the serialization of ‘The Apothecary Diaries’,” the statement said.
This announcement follows the guilty verdict delivered by the Fukuoka District Court on the same day, convicting Nekokurage of violating the Income Tax Law. However, it was not specified whether the manga will be going on hiatus.
The Fukuoka District Court sentenced Nekokurage to 10 months in prison, with a three-year suspended sentence, and imposed a fine of 11 million yen. The court found the artist guilty of failing to report approximately 260 million yen in income from 2019 to 2021, which led to the evasion of approximately 47 million yen in income tax. The charges stemmed from the artist’s failure to file tax returns by the deadline.
Judge Takeda noted that the manga had gained sudden popularity, resulting in significant income, but Nekokurage prioritized her immediate work and personal life over meeting her tax obligations.
Despite paying the full amount owed, including any applicable late fees, the artist had a history of late tax filings, often combining multiple years into single submissions. She continued this practice even after her editor and the original author of The Apothecary Diaries urged her to address her tax responsibilities.
The manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries, created by Itsuki Nanao and illustrated by Nekokurage, began serialization in the 2017 6th issue of Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan, which was released on May 25, 2017. Square Enix has compiled its chapters into individual tankobon volumes, with the first volume published on September 25, 2017. As of March 25, 2024, a total of 13 volumes have been published.
