Kodansha has pulled 25 works by cartoonist Yuki Suetsugu out of print and is withdrawing the remaining copies, over allegations that she stole images from the popular "Slam Dunk" comic books by Takehiko Inoue.

Kodansha officials said Suetsugu had used images from "Slam Dunk" in her 12-part comic-book series "Eden no Hana."

In addition to taking all 25 of her works out of print, it has decided to halt publication of the series "Silver" appearing in monthly publication "Bessatsu Friend."

Officials said the stolen images were used in a basketball scene, and bore a close resemblance to those in "Slam Dunk." Suetsugu has admitted having copied the images.

"I caused great trouble through my low morals and my naivety," she said in an apology posted on Kodansha's Web site. (Mainichi)