Hiroya Oku, the celebrated Japanese manga artist known for works like Gantz, Hen, and Gigant, has revealed his intention to step away from the industry once his current project, Kanrekihime (The Sweet Sixty Princess), reaches its conclusion. Oku shared this news during a recent conversation with Courrier Japon, attributing his decision to a diminishing sense of stamina for the demands of manga production.
The artist clarifies that his departure isn’t due to a lack of creative ideas, as he enters his 60th year with a strong creative spirit intact. Instead, Oku finds himself unable to sustain the exhaustive process of manga creation, which demands significant mental and physical effort. This encompasses everything from crafting the narrative and illustrating the artwork to maintaining a consistent publication schedule over long periods.
Kanrekihime, which debuted in December 2025, centers on a group of middle-aged men residing in a communal home. Driven by the fear of dying alone, they acquire a mystical substance called “Neotype-16,” which transforms anyone who consumes it into a youthful female. The tale follows these men as they navigate life alongside a friend who has undergone this radical change.
With retirement on the horizon, Oku has earmarked Kanrekihime as his final work. He designed it to offer readers a perspective from a middle-aged protagonist, even casting himself and fellow creators into the roles of the older characters. Oku playfully notes that while Kanrekihime lacks the alien encounters of his past series, he hopes fans will remain engaged until the very end.