Unfortunately, the first modly post here is also a sad one. Nitta-sensei has been caught up in a plagiarism scandal; it is not yet determined how bad this is, and what the consequences for her will be. It is not as bad as it seems; Nitta-sensei has been using fashion photos as reference for some of her covers, but it is questionable if this is a case of plagiarism or just erm- slightly enthusiastic inspiration and use of photo reference.

A link to a news article with the most incriminating example is here.

In Japan, however, this is a big thing, and one of the results might be that Youka Nitta might stop creating any more manga - at least for some time. Nitta-sensei has not been aware of the copyright infringement and - due to the fact that she has several editors and assistants who should have known better and stopped her - I tend to believe her. Therefore I'll use some time and money for the next months or years, if necessary, to send letters to support Nitta-sensei and tell her publishers that I'd love more from her hand. If any of you wants to do the same, I've posted contact information for Nitta-sensei and her publishers.

The info is collected by pgrape over at youka_nitta@LJ and posted here by her permission.

I'll link to this post from the side bar and I encourage you to use a stamp or two and send Youka Nitta a few supportive words. Physical evidence always works better than email. Nitta-sensei understands and reads English, if not overly well. Do mind the fact that all mail will probably be read by assistants at the publishers.

ETA: For those of you whose browser can't handle Japanese signs, I've made a screen dump so you can download the picture and print out the addresses that way. Pic's here.

ETA II: Thanks to pgrape, we now have the translated addresses, if you'd rather use those. The post below's edited.



From pgrape:

First, sensei's own website can be found here: youka-nitta.com

Unfortunately, all content (except her apology) has been removed. I don't know when or if access will be restored.

Sensei's publishers will accept postal mail on her behalf and forward it to her. The downside to this is that the mail will be read by the publisher's employees. The upside is, the mail will be read by the publisher's employees. 8-) We want them to see the love we have for her.

I strongly encourage you to send postal mail if at all possible. The more the publisher sees of sensei's international support, the more likely they will be to bring her back quickly. It's easy to ignore an e-mail; it is less easy to ignore a bulging sack of physical mail (and the complaints of the postal carrier).

Publishers have contact pages and, in some cases, forums on their web sites. However, English language messages may not get through.

Libre (for "Haru wo Daiteita" and "Boku no Koe" in "BeBoy Gold")
Website: www.b-boy.jp

〒162-0825　
東京都新宿区神楽坂6-46
Libre Publishing
Attention: Nitta Youka-sensei [or Attention: 新田祐克先生]
JAPAN


Taiyoh Tosho (for "A Minister Excellency" in "HertZ")
Website: www.bs-garden.com

〒101-0065
東京都千代田区西神田3-3-9
大洋ビル 3 F
大洋図書
Attention: Nitta Youka-sensei [or Attention: 新田祐克先生]
JAPAN


Houbunsha (for "When a Man Loves a Man" and the cover illustrations for "Citta Nium")
Website: hanaoto.net

〒１１２－８５８０　
東京都文京区後楽１－２－１２
株式会社　芳文社
Attention: Nitta Youka-sensei [or Attention: 新田祐克先生]
JAPAN


Shinshokan (for "Otodama" in "Monthly Wings")
Website: www.shinshokan.co.jp

〒113-0024　
東京都文京区西片2-19-18
株式会社　新書館
Attention: Nitta Youka-sensei [or Attention: 新田祐克先生]
JAPAN

A note about the addresses: They are in standard Japanese format, which is "upside down" from the way addresses are usually written in English-speaking countries.

Postal Code
City and Street Address
[Additional information if given]
Company Name


Addresses in Romaji:

Nitta Youka-sensei
Libre Publishing
6-46, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 162-0825
JAPAN

Nitta Youka-sensei
Taiyoh Tosho
3F Taiyoh Building
3-3-9, Nishikanda, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-0065
JAPAN

Nitta Youka-sensei
Houbunsha Co., Ltd.
1-2-12, Koraku, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-8580
JAPAN

Nitta Youka-sensei
Shinshokan Co., Ltd.
2-19-18, Nishikata, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 113-0024
JAPAN