Receiving bad news about the health of our favorite authors is always bitter. On August 6, mangaka Ryuta Amazume, world-renowned for creating the Nana to Kaoru franchise, publicly revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer. Facing this difficult situation, the author confirmed he will indefinitely pause his commercial career to undergo necessary treatment and focus entirely on full recovery.

It’s clear Amazume had been preparing for this mandatory pause, consecutively closing several recent projects in the manga industry. Just last July 27, he concluded his Sefure series in Young King magazine by Shonengahosha, with its final compiled volume set for September. Earlier this year in April, he finished Omae no Kao wo Tashikametai for Kodansha‘s digital portal, and in March 2025, he had already wrapped his other manga Jofu with Hakusensha.

An indelible legacy from a cult work

Despite this personal setback, the legacy of his peak work remains intact. Nana to Kaoru was a true phenomenon, published continuously from 2008 to its 2016 finale, inspiring a successful animated adaptation (OVA), two live-action films, and derivative mangas like Black Label and Kokosei no SM Gokko. What truly matters now is the creator winning this medical battle so he can return to drawing with strength in the future.

Given the grueling work schedules Japanese authors face to meet weekly or monthly deadlines, do you think major publishers should implement mandatory health checks to detect serious illnesses early?