Saint Seiya Creator Sues Ex-Manager Over 2.8B Yen Fraud

Masami Kurumada, the creator behind the global phenomenon Saint Seiya, has filed a lawsuit against his former manager for the unauthorized diversion of approximately 2.8 billion yen. The fraud came to light in early 2024 and involved transfers and license payments that nearly bankrupted Kurumada's production company.

The manager in question had worked alongside Kurumada for over fifteen years and was instrumental in establishing his main production company. The total scope of the fraud reached 4.6 billion yen, though 1.8 billion yen has already been recovered through legal action.

The financial hit rippled through Kurumada's immediate projects. A planned art exhibition scheduled for 2024 was cancelled as a direct result of the fraud's discovery and its aftermath.

Despite the setback, Kurumada has signaled his intention to move forward with his creative work. Saint Seiya, which debuted in 1986, remains one of the most recognizable manga franchises worldwide, with a legacy spanning decades of anime adaptations, spin-offs, and continued storytelling through projects like Saint Seiya: Next Dimension — The Myth of Hades and Saint Seiya Tenkai-hen.

The lawsuit marks a significant moment for the veteran creator, whose work has defined a generation of manga and anime fans globally. What happens next will depend on the legal proceedings, but Kurumada's commitment to his craft appears unshaken by the financial betrayal.

Source: Kudasai