Manga Artist Fired After Asking for Fair Payment

The manga industry is known for its intense workload, with famous creators like Eiichiro Oda barely getting a few hours of sleep. But sometimes, deeper issues come to light—like the one shared by manga artist Usami Mine on her social media profile in May

Manga Artist Fired After Asking for Fair Payment

In May 2025, Usami posted about an upsetting experience involving a project she was about to begin. Although she didn’t name the company or specify whether the job was for a new manga or an illustration assignment, the situation was clear:

“The sadness of having your project canceled right after trying to negotiate manuscript payment. They even said the pay would be reduced based on rules not stated in the contract. Even if you work honestly, you can be dismissed without any discussion… It’s honestly exhausting.”

Based on her message, it seems Usami tried to discuss fair compensation, but the company reacted negatively—possibly because they expected her to accept low pay without protest.

Usami further explained:

“Being offered ¥6,000 (about $38) per manuscript page in this era of inflation felt terrible. I’m grateful the amount increased after I pushed back, but thinking of those who can’t speak up really hurts. I hope this industry becomes more balanced and fair…”

While her project was ultimately scrapped, she expressed relief that she at least had the courage to speak up—something not everyone can do.

Harsh Memories from Her Assistant Days

Usami also recalled her first job as a manga assistant, painting a harsh picture of what some aspiring artists endure:

“My first assistant gig paid ¥400 per hour (around $2.50). Getting yelled at was routine. I even had to clean up pet poop. We were only allowed to shower every two days—for just 15 minutes. Breakfast was plain white rice, nothing else.”

She added that the job came through a recommendation, which made the experience even more disappointing.

Usami Mine is still a relatively small creator with a modest online following, but her story resonated with many fans and fellow artists who sent messages of support.

This episode highlights the ongoing challenges manga artists face—especially newcomers trying to build their careers under demanding, unfair conditions.

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via Você Sabia Anime