BEIJING (SCMP): Some comic artists have exposed the harsh working conditions at a prominent manga studio in China, where employees have lived together in a “farm-like” flat for years, facing overwork and sleep deprivation.
A-soul, one of China’s most renowned comic studios, was established in 2008 and is situated in a rural area of southeastern Beijing. The studio currently employs more than 70 staff members.
Its notable works include Crazy Neighbours and Tales of Romance, which are among the most popular serialised titles in the country’s first original manga weekly, Comicguests.
On Sept 22, a former A-soul employee, known online as Zhenliubao, posted on Weibo, accusing the studio of “shattering his dream”.
Zhenliubao claimed that since 2008, dozens of comic artists have lived in dormitories converted from a livestock factory, sharing communal spaces and using unisex bathrooms.
“We were never allowed to open the curtains, forcing us to work in a dark environment for years,” he wrote.
He added that the boss insisted on being called “brother” and prohibited them from reading books or seeking medical treatment when they were unwell.
Zhenliubao alleged that employees were mentally controlled through verbal abuse and indoctrination, keeping them in a state of constant overwork. At year-end, salaries were split equally, and no social security benefits were provided.
Online sources indicated that the studio head is Liu Zhi, but there was no response from A-soul at the time of writing.
Zhenliubao mentioned he is seeking legal assistance.
Another former A-soul employee, known as Laogui, reported being overworked and sleep-deprived, often forced to draw 12 to 14 pages a day instead of the usual four to six pages.
“I have gone grey in my twenties and face immense mental pressure daily,” he wrote on Weibo.
On Sept 24, current A-soul employee Liu Ke, better known by his pen name Jileniao, released a statement supporting the studio.
Ranked ninth on the 2013 China Comic Artists’ Rich List, Liu earned 2.15 million yuan (US$305,000) in royalties that year.
Liu responded to the allegations, stating that the poor working conditions were a result of the studio being “extremely poor” at that time.
He explained that, before the studio was formally registered, he and other employees “voluntarily” pooled their salaries to keep the team afloat.
He also denied the accusations of forced labour.
“A-soul is a family of ambitious comic artists built from scratch. Creating a utopia requires the spirit of sacrifice,” Liu asserted.
The controversy surrounding A-soul studio quickly went viral on mainland social media, with related topics garnering 92 million views on Weibo.
“A-soul’s actions violate human rights! This is a slave factory, not a place where artists can pursue their dreams,” one online user commented.
“If what Zhenliubao has stated is true, the studio has violated labour laws. Gather the evidence and take them to court. Justice will prevail,” another added.
Someone else offered a more balanced perspective: “Current and former employees have conflicting accounts. Let’s wait for the authorities to investigate before jumping to conclusions.”
In China, forcing employees to work by restricting their freedom and violating their will can result in up to three years in prison while failing to pay social insurance may lead to warnings and fines. - South China Morning Post
