Japan 'Saint Seiya' manga firms sue ex-director for $18 mil. over alleged embezzlement
TOKYO -- Three companies managing the copyrights of the hit manga "Saint Seiya" filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court on Sept. 2, seeking appr
Three companies managing the copyrights for the popular manga manga "Saint Seiya" have filed a lawsuit against a former director, his relatives, and associated entities, alleging $18.33 million in embezzlement. The total financial harm, according to plaintiffs, is around 4.69 billion yen, of which 1.8 billion yen has already been returned.
Saint Seiya's creator, Masami Kurumada, expressed shock and disappointment, stating he felt betrayed by the betrayal of trust. The lawsuit targets seven individuals and four organizations, all linked to Kurumada. Kurumada's companies handle copyrights and merchandising rights for "Saint Seiya" and other works by the manga artist.
The former director, who had worked closely with Kurumada for over 15 years, allegedly misappropriated funds between 2018 and 2024 by transferring money without authorization and diverting licensing fees to other accounts. The misconduct came to light during a tax audit in February 2024. Kurumada revealed that the stolen funds were used for cryptocurrency investments and high-end nightclub expenses.
He claimed the embezzlement nearly led to the bankruptcy of his production company and threatened his career as a manga artist.
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