After Cells at Work! creator Akane Shimizu went public in June 2026 with allegations of abuse and neglect from her publishers at Kodansha, multiple manga creators have since come forward with similar stories.
Key Allegations:
- Q-ta Minami (Ball & Chain) voiced frustration on social media, stating: “I used to resign myself to the fact that I was treated this way because I wasn’t a bestseller… But if even Shimizu continued to be treated so badly by her editor after achieving such success, then there really is no hope. The fact that she’s still alive and continuing to create manga is a miracle.”
- Izuko Fujiya explained that disputes with editors over three years made it impossible to finish her series Sayonara no Parade at Kodansha.
- Kayatamaru (The Girl, the Shovel, and the Evil Eye) alleged they had not received royalties from overseas sales for over a year with no apology from Kodansha’s editorial department. They also claimed editors did not take health concerns seriously, resulting in dangerous weight loss and a months-long hiatus.
- Meiji Merou (Magical Girl and Narco Wars) alleged past editors told them they would “end up a loser” for not measuring up to other artists, saying “there was a tendency back then to try to force artists into a mold and emotionally corner them.”
The allegations highlight ongoing concerns about working conditions in the manga industry. Shimizu’s case appears to have encouraged other creators to speak out about their own experiences.
Source: Popverse
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