Already on August 11 in Japan, it marks the third anniversary since the “ Act-Age ” manga was abruptly cancelled, leaving fans to ponder what could have been and the promising trajectory it had before its cancellation. Published in Shueisha 's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine , “ Act-Age ” had established itself as one of the great promises in the manga world before facing an unfortunate fate.
The plot of “Act-Age” revolved around Kei Yonagi, a young woman with innate acting talent but a challenging personal life. The story explored his journey in the world of acting, highlighting his personal struggles, his growth as an artist, and overcoming obstacles on his path to success in the theater. The series was noted for its unique approach to performance art and character building, which made it appealing to many readers.
However, the promising trajectory of “Act-Age” was cut short by an unexpected twist. In August 2020, the author Tatsuya Matsuki was arrested on charges related to child molestation. This event resulted in the immediate cancellation of the series, leaving fans with a feeling of surprise and disappointment. The series had gained popularity and was being considered as one of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine's rising stars.
It has been mentioned that “Act-Age” even had anime adaptation plans in the works before its cancellation. This leak had excited fans and further fueled the hype around the series. The cancellation put on hold the ability to see Kei Yonagi's story and his world on screen, adding a bittersweet flavor to the story of “Act-Age.”
Despite its abrupt end, the “Act-Age” compiled volumes are still available for those who wish to explore the story that might have been. The series' cancellation remains a reminder of how events out of control can impact the fate of a promising work in the manga industry.
On this third anniversary of its cancellation, fans remember “Act-Age” as a series that showed potential and creativity, but also as a story that was left unfinished due to unexpected circumstances.
©Shiro Usazaki (author), Tatsuya Matsuki (original author) / SHUEISHA
