BL Author Criticized After Holding a Free Autograph Session Right After Charging for One
Taino Nikke was criticized after holding a free autograph session just one day after an exclusive event for buyers of her new volume, sparking a major discussion among fans on Japanese social media.
How the BL Manga Autograph Session Controversy Began
The author of the popular BL series Taikan Yohou (My Personal Weatherman) recently released the second volume of the series and, to celebrate, participated in an official autograph session organized by the Animate store. However, access to the event was very limited: only people who purchased the manga or a special set and were selected through a lottery could participate.
After the official signing event ended, Taino Nikke commented that she intended to visit the pop-up store dedicated to the series the following day, the store’s final day of operation.
When she arrived, an area was prepared so she could greet the fans who were there. The problem was that, this time, anyone present at the event was able to receive an autograph without any lottery or additional purchase.
The decision quickly drew criticism, especially from fans who had bought multiple copies of the manga just to increase their chances of getting a spot at the official signing event.
Many people said they felt that both their financial investment and the lottery process had lost their value after a free signing session was held only one day later.
On Japanese social media, several comments pointed out that people who had spent dozens or even hundreds of copies trying to secure an autograph felt disrespected by the unexpected change.
There were also complaints from fans who were not selected for the official event and then saw other people receiving signatures for free the following day.
Taino Nikke Apologized and Explained Her Intentions
Following the backlash, the author posted a series of messages explaining that she has always tried to accommodate as many readers as possible.
She stated that she often replies to fan letters with autographs and that her goal has always been to find ways for more people to receive her signature.
Even so, she acknowledged that organizing an impromptu signing session immediately after the official event caused dissatisfaction and admitted that the decision “wasn’t a good idea” (REALLY?).
The mangaka also stated that she intends to come up with better formats for future occasions, aiming to show gratitude to readers without creating similar situations again.
While many criticized the initiative, others argued that the author’s only intention was to thank the people who support her work.