Manga artist Ryuta Amazume, best known for the provocative series Nana & Kaoru, shared a personal update on August 6 announcing a cancer diagnosis. The creator confirmed that they will be stepping away from commercial manga serialization indefinitely to undergo treatment and focus on a full recovery.
The announcement follows a period of wrapping up several active projects. Amazume’s most recent work, Sefure, concluded its serialization in Young King on July 27, with the 12th and final compiled volume set to ship on September 14. Additionally, the author recently finalized two other titles: Omae no Kao wo Tashikametai, which ended in April, and Jofū, which wrapped up its run this past March.
Amazume established a significant footprint in the industry with the 2008 launch of Nana & Kaoru, a series that explored complex dynamics and eventually inspired both an OVA and two live-action adaptations. The franchise expanded through several spin-offs, including Nana to Kaoru: Black Label and Nana to Kaoru: Kōkōsei no SM Gokko, the latter of which concluded in 2021. As the industry reacts to this news, readers and colleagues alike are awaiting further updates on the creator's health.
