Kodansha, the Japanese publishing giant, has issued a formal apology to manga artist Akane Shimizu, the creator of Cells at Work!, following public allegations of workplace mistreatment and mismanagement. According to a July 3, 2026, statement by the publisher, the company acknowledged systemic failures in its oversight of the series, including a lack of adequate support for the creator and unauthorized changes to authorship credits on derivative works.
Why Kodansha Admitted to Systemic Failures
The apology follows a series of disclosures made by Shimizu via the social media platform X starting in July 2026. Shimizu detailed a decade-long struggle with the Monthly Shonen Sirius editorial department, dating back to the series’ inception in 2014. Takashi Yamaguchi, the editor-in-chief of Monthly Shonen Sirius, confirmed that the editorial team failed to implement necessary medical supervision protocols and did not provide the promised assistance for drafting, which placed an unsustainable burden on the artist.
Shimizu reported that the chronic stress and lack of professional support contributed to her developing depression. She cited a suicide attempt that forced a temporary suspension of the series. Even after returning to the project, she claimed that the editorial team failed to rectify communication issues, such as the frequent mislabeling of cell names in the manga, eventually leading to her decision to conclude the series.
Akane Shimizu’s inspiration for Cells at Work! came from a simple comment by her younger sister, who expressed a desire to better remember how human cells function. The series debuted in 2014 and became a global success, spawning both anime adaptations and a 2024 live-action film.
How Ownership and Authorship Disputes Escalated
A significant point of contention involved the unauthorized alteration of authorship credits. Shimizu alleged that for several spin-off titles and media adaptations, her name was removed or replaced without her consent. According to the statements from both parties, the editorial department replaced her credit with “Cooperation: Shimizu Production” or omitted her name entirely in publications like the Cells at Work! Guidebook, favoring the editorial department’s name instead.
Yamaguchi admitted that these changes occurred without sufficient confirmation from the author. While the specific editor involved in the primary disputes is no longer assigned to Shimizu, Kodansha emphasized that the issue was not restricted to a single individual but represented a failure of the department’s management structure.
What Changes Are Expected for Manga Creators?
Kodansha has pledged to reform its creator support systems to prioritize the mental well-being and creative autonomy of its artists. The publisher stated that it is currently in honest, ongoing negotiations with Shimizu to resolve past disputes. Regarding future projects, Yamaguchi confirmed that the company has established a new framework where the artist’s intent is given top priority.
Shimizu has acknowledged the receipt of a formal apology letter from the editorial department. In a post on X, she expressed her gratitude for the sincerity shown by those involved in the recent dialogue and noted that she is continuing to work with the company to address the remaining issues calmly.
When reviewing contracts, creators are encouraged to ensure that authorship credit clauses are explicitly defined, preventing publishers from unilaterally changing or removing credits on derivative works.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the creator of Cells at Work!?
The series is created by Akane Shimizu, who debuted with the work after winning the 27th Shonen Sirius Newcomer Award. - Why did Akane Shimizu suspend her series?
Shimizu cited long-term professional stress, a lack of editorial support, and declining mental health, which ultimately led to her decision to end the serialization. - Has Kodansha apologized for the issues?
Yes, Kodansha and the Monthly Shonen Sirius editorial department issued a formal apology on July 3, 2026, admitting to systemic management failures. - What happens to the authorship disputes?
Kodansha is currently in negotiations with Shimizu to resolve the issues regarding the unauthorized alteration of credits on derivative publications.
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