Danica Davidson
October 22, 2024 
The nineteenth and next volume of the manga Otherwordly Izakaya “Nobu” (a.k.a. Isekai Izakaya “Nobu” in Japanese) is not going to have a cover or bonus features, unless something changes. That’s because Virginia Nitohei, the artist for this manga — published originally in Japan by Kadokawa — allegedly has not been paid for the work.
Nitohei also indicated online that royalties had originally been promised, and then that promise was taken away. In many artistic fields, people are paid in royalties where they make a cut each time something of theirs is sold.
On top of this, Nitohei has been sharing posts from other artists who are also concerned that they’re not being paid for their manga covers. George Morikawa, creator of Hajime no Ippo, suggested that people pay attention to both what the publisher and the artist say about this issue.
Meanwhile, posts from Sumito Owara of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! talk about how he’s had to do work on covers and not been paid for his time and talents. He said he’s been speaking to publishers about this issue. Nitohei is bringing attention to what seems like a pervasive issue in the manga world. Will Nitohei and the publisher be able to work something out, and will the next manga volume get a cover? We’ll have to wait and see.
Otherwordly Izakaya “Nobu” is based on a light novel series. Udon Entertainment is publishing the manga in English, and gave this description for its plot:
Otherwordly Izakaya “Nobu” Plot
A Japanese style pub called “Nobu” exists in a back alley of the fictional medieval European city of Eiteriach. Its customers? A pair of slacker soldiers, a spoiled heiress, an uptight tax collector, and more… When the citizens of this strange world sit down to enjoy some unfamiliar Japanese cuisine, their troubles simply melt away…
The curtain rises on this otherworldly eatery and the gourmet fantasy about to unfold within!
Source: ANN
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
