Manga Artist Kurumada Says Ex-Manager, Others Embezzled ¥4.6 Billion
The companies seek ¥2.88 billion in damages after saying the former manager diverted funds into accounts he controlled and crypto investments.
- On Wednesday, manga artist Masami Kurumada, creator of Saint Seiya, filed a lawsuit at Tokyo District Court seeking about ¥2.88 billion in damages. Kurumada Production has already recovered ¥1.8 billion.
- A former executive, who also served as Kurumada's manager, allegedly embezzled about ¥4.6 billion from at least 2018. The executive transferred funds to his own accounts and arranged licensing fees to be diverted.
- Flagged by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau, the embezzlement involved affiliate companies used to facilitate transfers and some funds invested in crypto assets. The scheme operated from at least 2018 to 2024.
- Admitting to diverting company funds, the former executive claimed his actions were intended to benefit Kurumada. "I couldn't believe it," Kurumada said at a news conference in Tokyo.
- Six other individuals were allegedly involved in the scheme, according to the complaint. Legal action seeks to recover damages from all parties responsible for the financial loss.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Masami Kurumada, the author of "Saint Seiya," has revealed that he has filed a lawsuit against former company directors and related parties after being accused of embezzling approximately 4.6 billion yen from three companies that managed his business and copyrights.
Masami Kurumada, 72, says he discovered the scam two years ago and claims about EUR 15 million in damages. "Kurumada Production could have gone bankrupt and I could have been annihilated myself as a mangaka," he said at a press conference.
Masami Kurumada (72), the manga artist known for his representative work "Saint Seiya," announced on September 2nd that he had been embezzled of approximately 4.6 billion yen by his former manager and his relatives. He stated that he had recovered 1.8 billion yen of that amount…
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