Manga Platform Manga One Faces Content Pulls Amidst Sexual Assault Scandal
A wave of cancellations is hitting the digital manga platform Manga One following revelations that publisher Shogakukan continued to work with a manga artist despite being aware of allegations of sexual assault. The situation has sparked outrage and uncertainty within the Japanese manga industry, with some creators expressing their inability to continue their work.
“As someone involved with Shogakukan, I feel a deep sense of guilt towards the victims,” one female manga artist told reporters on March 2, expressing her distress and inability to focus on her work. She has suspended her contributions to the platform, adding, “I trust in Shogakukan has been shaken. I’m even considering stopping my other serializations with Shogakukan, but I also have to consider my livelihood.”
The artist’s sentiments appear to be widespread, with many creators reportedly feeling conflicted. Manga One, which boasts a library of approximately 30,000 titles, has already seen several works removed from its catalog, including previously published titles by Rumiko Takahashi and Yoshihiro Tsushima, as well as the popular series Funeral of the Free. This comes as the manga industry grapples with a growing awareness of misconduct and its impact on creators.
Shogakukan has halted the distribution of the artist’s works and suspended shipments of related single-volume releases. The company has also established an internal investigation committee comprised of employees and legal counsel to determine the facts of the case.
The controversy centers around the artist, who continued to publish under a pseudonym as the author of the series Normal Mask. According to reports, an editor at Manga One was involved in negotiations regarding a settlement with the victim, even suggesting the drafting of a non-disclosure agreement. Shogakukan has acknowledged that employing the artist and the editor’s involvement in the settlement were “inappropriate responses” and has issued an apology to the victim and those affected.
Island本和彦, a judge for the Shogakukan Manga Award, expressed his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I also feel the terrifying possibility that I might unconsciously be complicit in something. I want Shogakukan to become a company that is well-regarded by the world.”
On March 1, Shogakukan announced the postponement of the 71st Shogakukan Manga Award ceremony, a move that underscores the seriousness of the situation. The incident highlights the challenges facing the entertainment industry as it confronts issues of abuse, and accountability.
