Kadokawa Young Ace Apologizes for Unauthorized Manga Character Use
A recent controversy has shaken the manga world, with Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine issuing a public apology regarding Kei Natsumi's "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga adaptation. The apology concerned the unauthorized use of character designs and backgrounds created by Ieri Komen for their "Festival of Heresies" manga. This incident, involving designs from a related series within the same publisher, highlights critical issues in intellectual property and internal communication.
Pitch-Black Infatuation Manga Design Scandal Explained
The heart of the problem lies in the "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga incorporating specific character designs and a background location from Ieri Komen's "Festival of Heresies." Both novels, "Festival of Heresies" and "Pitch-Black Infatuation," are set in the same world and published by Kadokawa Horror Bunko. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Young Ace editorial department took full responsibility for the mistake. They explicitly stated that neither the original author Rokakoen nor the manga artist Kei Natsumi bore any responsibility, offering a direct apology to Ieri Komen for the oversight. This clear assignment of blame aims to rectify the situation publicly.
Unraveling the Timeline of the Mistake
The Young Ace editorial department provided a detailed timeline to explain how the error occurred. Pre-production for the "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga began in August 2025. At this time, Young Ace's editorial team contacted Kadokawa Horror Bunko, seeking permission to use Ieri Komen's character designs from "Festival of Heresies" for characters Rumi Sasaki and Yukiyoshi Aoyama, who appear in both narratives.
The response from Kadokawa Horror Bunko was vague: "It's probably also fine to use original character designs." This ambiguous reply was unfortunately interpreted by Young Ace as sufficient approval. Consequently, they proceeded with Kei Natsumi, moving forward with using Ieri Komen's designs as reference without securing direct, explicit permission from Ieri Komen themselves. This critical lapse in authorization set the stage for the subsequent issues.
Discovery of Broader Unauthorized Use
The full extent of the unauthorized use only came to light after Kadokawa published the first compiled book volume of the "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga. Ieri Komen then contacted the Young Ace editorial department directly. It was discovered that beyond the initially discussed Rumi Sasaki and Yukiyoshi Aoyama, the "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga had also used character designs for two other characters, Ishigami and Emi Shimamoto, as well as a specific background location. This revealed a broader scope of infringement than what Young Ace had initially recognized or acted upon.
The Interconnected World of Rokakoen's Novels
To contextualize the controversy, it's worth noting the origins of these connected stories. Rokakoen's "Festival of Heresies" novel debuted in May 2021, followed by "Pitch-Black Infatuation" in February 2022, both from Kadokawa Horror Bunko. Yen Press released English editions in November 2024 and August 2025, respectively.
Ieri Komen's manga adaptation of "Festival of Heresies" started on Kadokawa's Comic Walker website in July 2023, concluding in November 2025. Kei Natsumi launched the "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga adaptation in Young Ace on March 4, with its first volume out on August 4. While the novels share a universe and publisher, the separate manga adaptations and their distinct production timelines highlight the need for careful permission processes for each creative work.
Ensuring Integrity in Manga Production
The "Pitch-Black Infatuation" manga design controversy underscores the vital importance of clear communication and obtaining explicit permissions in the creative industry. Even within a large corporate structure like Kadokawa, ambiguity in authorization can lead to significant intellectual property issues. The Young Ace editorial department's public apology and assumption of full responsibility are crucial steps towards remediation. This incident serves as a strong reminder for publishers and creators alike about safeguarding artistic integrity and respecting copyright. Proper protocols must be rigorously followed to prevent similar incidents and maintain trust within the anime and manga community.
