A joint announcement on X revealed that the manga I Want To Make the Losing Heroine Win!! (Make Heroine wo Katasetai!!; unofficial translation) will cease serialization and publication with its current publisher. Author Michiru Nakayama and manga artist Tatsuwaipu stated that the split occurred because “it became difficult to maintain a trusting relationship.”
“I Want To Make the Losing Heroine Win!!” was published in Akita Shoten’s web manga platform Champion Cross (formerly Manga Cross). The manga’s first chapter debuted in summer 2025, and it will transition to independent publication starting January 2027. Nakayama and Tatsuwaipu attributed the issues to a series of editorial problems with Akita Shoten.
Tatsuwaipu explained that constant delays in approving storyboards and cover art designs disrupted the creative process. On several occasions, the publisher submitted cover designs and illustrations that differed from Tatsuwaipu’s original proposals. The artist also described meetings as “unproductive,” often forcing the co-creators to manage the manga’s production independently.
The situation worsened when these concerns were brought to the former editor and editor-in-chief, yet communication failed to improve despite repeated attempts. The conflict escalated when Nakayama and Tatsuwaipu were denied access to the first volume’s sales figures, despite being initially told that the performance was “excellent.” In reality, the first volume’s sales were insufficient to justify a hit status, and the series’ continuation beyond volume 5 depended entirely on volume 2’s sales.
Nakayama and Tatsuwaipu added that “after the current contract concludes at the end of the year, we will resume serialization with web manga platform Number Nine starting January 2027.” Other manga series by Tatsuwaipu on Akita Shoten, including Hagure Yūsha no Isekai Bible and Tamamori’s Fantasies Never Stop, will also end their run on Champion Cross. Tatsuwaipu clarified in a follow-up post that “this does not mean we will be moving to the Number Nine editorial department and resuming as a commercial serialization.”
According to a J-CAST News report, Akita Shoten confirmed the suspension of the manga’s publication but did not elaborate on the reasons.
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