Manga hiatuses are practically a rite of passage for ongoing series. Usually, it's for research trips, health issues, or some other unspoken reason, so fans following a series are pretty used to it.
But recently, Japanese manga artist Shotaro Kunitomo (@kunitomoshotaro) dropped a bombshell: he's taking a week off because a breakup has left him completely unable to draw. This rather unique reason for a hiatus has definitely got the internet buzzing.
Shotaro Kunitomo is currently serializing "Shokei Sareta Kenja wa Lich ni Tensei Shite Shinryaku Sensou wo Hajimeru" (roughly, "The Executed Sage Is Reincarnated as a Lich and Starts an Invasion War") on Square Enix's Manga Up! platform. The series has already released 13 tankobon volumes and enjoys a solid fanbase.
In his hiatus announcement, Kunitomo explained that a devastating breakup has left him with shaky hands, crooked lines, and uncontrollable tears. He simply couldn't create in such a state, fearing he'd turn all his characters into crying messes just like him. He requested a week off to get his head straight, emphasizing that he didn't want the quality of his work to suffer because of personal issues, and hoped for everyone's understanding.
The comments section quickly filled with supportive messages. Fans thanked the artist for being so open about his struggles, empathized with his heartbreak, and wished him a speedy recovery to get back to his normal life.
While this all went down a couple of weeks ago, Kunitomo posted an update today (2/11) expressing his heartfelt gratitude to all his readers and netizens. He admitted he expected criticism and ridicule for his reason, but was overwhelmed by the warm encouragement. He thanked everyone for their understanding and kindness, promising to keep pushing forward with his art.
And he wasn't just talking the talk! After his week-long break, he immediately returned with a gorgeous color page, clearly showing his dedication and appreciation for his fans' support.
Interestingly, this isn't Kunitomo's first unconventional hiatus. Back in 2023, he took a break to "care for his adopted stray cat," which also made headlines. Fans were surprised by such a unique reason but ultimately gave him a pass then too.
Taking a hiatus because of a breakup is definitely a rare one, proving that manga artists' reasons for breaks can be truly wild!
via： 國友翔太郎推特