This week in manga brought major industry upheaval as Saint Seiya creator Masami Kurumada filed a $28 million lawsuit against former managers for alleged embezzlement, while the Blue Lock theatrical film celebrated crossing 1 billion yen in box office revenue with exclusive manga artist collaboration booklets. The week also featured new series launches, manga adaptations, and significant industry developments.
What Happened
The manga industry faced its biggest shock this week with news that Masami Kurumada, creator of the legendary Saint Seiya series, has filed a lawsuit seeking approximately 2.8 billion yen (roughly $28 million USD) in damages against former managers and associates. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly embezzled over 4.6 billion yen between 2018 and 2024. Simultaneously, the theatrical film Blue Lock -EPISODE Nagi- surpassed 1 billion yen in box office earnings and announced exclusive collaboration booklets featuring illustrations from renowned manga creators including Attack on Titan’s Hajime Isayama and Fairy Tail’s Hiro Mashima.
Why It Matters
Kurumada’s lawsuit represents one of the most significant financial disputes involving a major manga creator in recent years, raising critical questions about artist protection and management practices within the industry. The case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in how manga creators handle business relationships and financial oversight. For readers and fans, it underscores the complex business environment surrounding beloved long-running series. The Blue Lock film’s success, meanwhile, demonstrates the continued commercial viability of manga adaptations and the collector appeal of exclusive creator collaborations, signaling strong market demand for premium theatrical experiences tied to popular properties.
Background
Saint Seiya, which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1986, remains one of the most iconic manga series globally, with a devoted international fanbase spanning decades. The series’ cultural impact extends far beyond manga into anime, merchandise, and popular culture. Kurumada’s lawsuit emerges after years of alleged financial misconduct, suggesting a prolonged period during which the creator may have been unaware of or unable to prevent the alleged embezzlement. Blue Lock, a contemporary sports manga centered on soccer, has achieved top-tier popularity in recent years and represents the new generation of commercially successful manga properties capable of generating substantial theatrical revenue.
Key Points
- Masami Kurumada filed a 2.8 billion yen lawsuit against former managers for alleged embezzlement spanning 2018-2024
- Blue Lock theatrical film Blue Lock -EPISODE Nagi- exceeded 1 billion yen in box office revenue
- Blue Lock film announced exclusive collaboration booklets featuring illustrations from Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, and other major manga creators
- A Blue Lock-themed educational book titled “Blue Lock Proverbs 100” is scheduled for September 24 release
- Mami Tsumura, author of the acclaimed Kotaro Lives Alone, launches new serialization “Tannosuke’s Riverside Inn” on September 11
- Yutaka Kono’s novel series “I Don’t Know How to Say Goodbye” is being adapted into manga by Yukiko Seike, known for the Makoto Shinkai adaptation work
Timeline
- 2018-2024: Period during which alleged embezzlement occurred according to lawsuit claims
- August 27, 2026: Release of Akuro Yoshibe’s new manga “Maison Death Heights”
- September 1, 2026: Number Nine launches new women’s manga label “Letter”
- September 11, 2026: Mami Tsumura’s new serialization “Tannosuke’s Riverside Inn” begins
- September 18-27, 2026: Nisekoi 15th anniversary pop-up shop runs at Shinjuku Marui Annex
- September 24, 2026: Blue Lock Proverbs 100 book release scheduled
- Autumn 2026: Fantagraphics releases English edition of Akane Torikai’s “Wandering Cat’s Cage”
Perspectives
From a legal standpoint, Kurumada’s lawsuit represents a significant case study in creator rights and financial accountability within the manga industry. Industry observers view the case as a catalyst for broader conversations about management practices and creator protection mechanisms. For fans, the lawsuit raises concerns about the welfare of beloved creators while reinforcing the importance of transparent business practices. The Blue Lock film’s success, conversely, demonstrates the market’s appetite for premium manga adaptations and cross-creator collaborations, suggesting that theatrical releases remain a viable revenue stream for the industry. The announcement of educational tie-in products like the proverbs book indicates an expanding strategy to reach audiences beyond traditional manga readers.
Additional Industry News
Mirmo Collaboration: The classic manga “Mirmo” is collaborating with Thank You Mart for exclusive merchandise launching mid-September nationwide, capitalizing on the Heisei retro trend.
New Releases: Akuro Yoshibe’s romantic comedy “Maison Death Heights” debuted August 27, featuring a unique premise about discovering a demon king’s daughter as a neighbor.
Nisekoi Anniversary: A 15th-anniversary pop-up shop for Koshi Kominami’s “Nisekoi” will operate September 18-27 at Shinjuku Marui Annex, featuring original artwork from the creator.
New Publishing Label: Number Nine established “Letter,” a new label dedicated exclusively to girls’ and women’s manga, effective September 1.
International Expansion: Fantagraphics announced an English-language release of Akane Torikai’s manga for autumn 2026, marking continued growth in international manga distribution.
Tennis no Ouji-sama Musical: The Prince of Tennis musical series confirmed a fourth season second arc covering the nationals match between Seigaku and Rikkai, generating significant fan enthusiasm.
Mentsuyu Hitori Meshi: The popular food manga released its 10th volume with special edition including full-color recipe book and new illustrations.
Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu Conclusion: The horror-youth hybrid manga “The Summer Hikaru Died” announced its conclusion in October with two final chapters.
Insights
This week exemplifies the manga industry’s current state: a sector simultaneously grappling with serious structural challenges while demonstrating robust commercial vitality. Kurumada’s lawsuit signals that even the most successful creators require better protective frameworks and oversight mechanisms. The scale of alleged embezzlement—exceeding 4.6 billion yen—suggests systemic gaps in financial accountability that extend beyond individual cases. Conversely, Blue Lock’s theatrical success and the industry’s continued investment in new series, adaptations, and cross-media collaborations indicate a healthy market with diverse revenue streams. The emergence of new publishing labels like “Letter” and the international expansion of manga through publishers like Fantagraphics reflect an industry expanding beyond traditional boundaries. Together, these developments paint a picture of an industry at an inflection point: modernizing its business practices while capitalizing on unprecedented global demand for manga content.
