Hideo Iura, the mangaka behind "Bengoshi no Kuzu," has been accused of plagiarism. The manga, which runs in Big Comic Original, focuses on a comically shameless lawyer who will win at all costs. In 2006, it was adapted as a drama series starring Etsushi Toyokawa.

On Wednesday, lawyer Masatoshi Uchida petitioned the Tokyo District Court for a temporary injunction against publisher Shogakukan, asking that sales of the magazine's next issue be stopped. According to Uchida, the manga's current story arc, titled "Sanshoku Bengoshi," infringes on books he published in 2001 and 2005 that are based on his own experiences. He claims that Iura copied plot details and characters for the manga.

The next issue of Big Comic Original, which goes on sale next Wednesday unless the injunction is granted, contains the fourth chapter of "Sanshoku Bengoshi." Uchida demands that the arc is terminated, and for it not to be released as a tankoubon.