Renowned manga creator Masami Kurumada, celebrated for his work on Saint Seiya and Ring ni Kakero, addressed the media on September 2, revealing that he has initiated legal action against a former male employee accused of embezzling a substantial sum from him (as reported by Abema Times).
Kurumada stated that he had delegated his business operations to the ex-staff member, allowing him to concentrate on his artistic endeavors. However, the individual is alleged to have misappropriated 46.86 billion yen (approximately $30 million USD) from the artist over a span of more than a decade.
The manga artist uncovered this misconduct about two years ago, at which time his company, Kurumada Production, had “very little money remaining in its accounts,” leaving it unable to settle outstanding tax obligations. He asserts that the staff member had “stolen nearly everything” from him, placing him in a dire predicament where “Kurumada Production could have faced bankruptcy, and I, Masami Kurumada, might have been destroyed as a manga artist.”
The mangaka reports that he has endured anxiety and desperation for the past two and a half years but remains committed to his creative pursuits.
“When I discovered the truth, I couldn’t believe it. My reaction wasn’t anger but a profound emptiness. I realized that there truly are people who betray trust without hesitation for their own greedy ends. It was an unbearable feeling of helplessness. For a time, I even doubted humanity. But moving forward, I want to continue working diligently and keep creating for readers worldwide, and for everyone who loves Saint Seiya and my manga.”