“The Apothecary Diaries” has quickly risen to prominence as one of the top titles in the manga world, especially following the success of its anime adaptation.
As sales soar and Maomao’s intriguing story entertains more readers, the artist behind the manga, Nekokurage, finds herself embroiled in legal troubles. Earlier this year, Nekokurage was accused of tax evasion and has recently pled guilty to the charges.
The case, which has been unfolding in Japan, saw Nekokurage admitting to evading approximately 47 million yen in taxes, which equates to nearly $300,000 USD.
Artist Behind The Apothecary Diaries Admits to Tax Evasion
This revelation is not entirely unexpected, as the artist had previously addressed the situation when the charges first surfaced. Nekokurage emphasized that the evasion was due to ignorance rather than malicious intent.
In February, Nekokurage issued a public letter explaining that the neglect of her tax returns was unintentional. She expressed regret over the situation and revealed that she had since hired a tax accountant to rectify her filings.
This proactive step might be a positive factor when it comes to her sentencing, which is still pending. In Japan, consequences for tax evasion can range from fines to imprisonment, and Nekokurage is undoubtedly hoping to avoid the latter.
Despite these legal challenges, Nekokurage continues her work on “The Apothecary Diaries.” The manga, which is an adaptation of Natsu Hyuga’s novels and published by Square Enix, has been enjoying a surge in popularity.
The series follows Maomao, a young woman sold into servitude in the emperor’s palace, who uses her knowledge of medicine to solve various medical mysteries, catching the attention of a handsome palace official named Jinshi.
“Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure!
This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she’s making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!”
As fans continue to enjoy the adventures of Maomao, they also watch closely to see how Nekokurage’s legal situation unfolds. Despite the controversy, the artist’s work on “The Apothecary Diaries” remains highly regarded, and the series’ popularity shows no signs of waning.
