In Japan, cases of manga series being canceled due to deteriorating relationships between authors and publishers have become increasingly common. Just last month, Akita Shoten's "Want to Help the Losing Heroine Win!!" (負けヒロインを勝たせたい！！) manga announced its serialization and publication would cease due to a breakdown in their relationship.
Today (August 3), sooncha, the author of the manga "Yan-senpai Can't Live Alone" (tentative title, ヤン先輩はひとりで生きていけない), announced on their personal X account that the series would cease serialization on Square Enix's manga app, Manga UP!, and that they plan to reclaim the work's copyright. This situation has once again drawn significant attention.
"Yan-senpai Can't Live Alone" (ヤン先輩はひとりで生きていけない) began serialization on Square Enix's Manga UP! app in December 2024 and currently has two collected volumes released.
The story follows Yuu, a diligent and hardworking university student who handles everything perfectly. However, this often leads men to call her "unattractive" or lacking "feminine softness." She begins to wonder if she needs to change herself to become someone's most important person. While grappling with these thoughts, she meets Yang-senpai, a Chinese international student.
He's handsome, kind, and seems well-liked. But one day, Yuu accidentally discovers his hidden secret...! This is a sweet, heart-pounding romantic comedy that starts as a "business partnership" between a reliable, independent female university student and a clingy, adorable Chinese guy who's like a big dog.
Author sooncha titled their announcement "Notice Regarding the Suspension of 'Yan-senpai Can't Live Alone' and Planned Copyright Retrieval," stating:
"Due to a breakdown in the trust relationship between myself and Manga UP!, 'Yan-senpai' will officially cease serialization after Chapter 15③, which will be distributed on August 13. I deeply apologize to all readers who have supported this work, especially for delivering this news so close to the release of the third collected volume."
The author further explained that more details would be announced later by the official Manga UP! platform. Regarding the third collected volume, which is scheduled for release on August 6, both the physical and digital versions have already entered the release process and cannot be stopped. The author advised readers, "If you are concerned about this, please proceed with canceling pre-orders or other related procedures yourself. I am truly sorry."
Furthermore, sooncha revealed that they are "currently negotiating with the editorial department to reclaim the manga's copyright, hoping to continue the work in another form in the future." They added, "I will definitely find a way to bring you the rest of the story, which is why negotiations for copyright retrieval are currently underway. I ask for your patience, and once again, I offer my deepest apologies."
The recent string of cases in the manga industry where works are halted, publication is terminated, or even copyrights are reclaimed due to broken trust between authors and publishers has once again brought the collaborative relationship between creators and publishers into the industry spotlight.
