In the last few weeks, A comment posted by an erotic artist on the DLsite platform has generated a large number of discussions and gone viral on Japanese social media.. The comment in question, posted alongside a screenshot showing nearly 16,000 digital copies of his works sold, reveals that the author has grossed over 6 million yen, which is equivalent to over $43,000.

The message accompanying the image said: «Even at my level, just drawing a few illustrations, we are talking about a world of several million. Plus, as you continue to sell steadily, the money keeps coming in indefinitely. It is better to be an illustrator than to work as a salaried employee.».

The comment triggered a torrent of reactions among internet users, many of whom expressed surprise at the amount of money an illustrator can make in the erotic content marketand others shared their own experiences and opinions about the industry. User comments reflect a mix of admiration and skepticism. Some of the notable comments include:

• «This clearly requires above average talent.».
• «What luck. I've never drawn a manga or an illustration, but I have a lot of confidence in my imagination. Maybe with AI I could achieve that.».
• «I once joined the Pixiv rankings, but the illustrations I wanted to draw weren’t the ones I liked, so I got tired of chasing popularity and gave up. When I stopped, I felt incredibly liberated.».
• «I don't think there are even 1% of the artists who sell more than 10,000 copies.».
• «Taxes must be an issue. I don't think drawing erotic illustrations generates many deductible expenses.».
• «With the oversupply and fierce competition, it seems like it is difficult for new artists to make money in this field.».
• «It's true that some artists don't make much money from erotic manga, but they use major magazines like 'Comic Kairakuten' as a springboard to later make a fortune with doujin CG collections.».
• «It is true that if you are a good illustrator you can easily earn a lot of money, but reaching that level of skill is extremely difficult.».

The impact of this comment Not only has it sparked debate about the viability of pursuing erotic art, it has also highlighted the harsh realities of the industry, where competition is fierce and success is not always guaranteed. However, the success of this particular artist demonstrates that with skill and perseverance, it is possible to achieve impressive numbers in a niche market.

Source: Otakomu