Apothecary Diaries Artist Admits Tax Evasion!

Erika Ikeda, the illustrator known by her pen name Nekokurage, has pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion in Japan. The charges stem from failing to declare income and evading approximately 47 million yen (roughly $298,754 USD) in taxes between 2019 and 2022.

According to reports, Ikeda began working as a manga artist in 2010 and was advised by an acquaintance about filing tax returns. Despite this knowledge, Ikeda prioritized meeting deadlines and neglected her tax obligations. This wasn't the first time Ikeda was warned about her taxes. Her editor and even the author of "The Apothecary Diaries," Natsu Hyuga, urged her to declare her income and seek professional help from an accountant.

The charges allege that Ikeda earned a significant income, estimated at around 260 million yen (approximately $1.7 million USD) during the three-year period. However, she failed to declare this income on time, resulting in the tax evasion charges.

Ikeda has since taken to social media to apologize for her actions. She acknowledges her ignorance regarding tax laws and assures the public that she has settled all outstanding taxes and fees. She emphasizes that this is a personal issue and does not involve the team working on the manga adaptation or the original author, Natsu Hyuga.

The future of "The Apothecary Diaries" remains uncertain as the legal proceedings continue. No official word has been released regarding any potential impact on the manga's ongoing publication.