The manga
industry is dressed in mourning. The editorial department of Weekly
Young Magazine announced on November 22 the
unfortunate death of Shikako, the talented artist in charge of the
art of the popular manga Manchuria Opium Squad. The creator was
only 37 years old and lost her life on November 8,
2025 after a hard battle with malignant choroidal melanoma (a
type of eye cancer).
Shikako's dedication to her work was
absolute. Although she was confirmed to have metastases to other organs late
last year, she balanced her treatment with serialization as much as she could.
Her editor revealed that, even when sick, she would say, "I feel better
when I'm drawing."
His Last
Will: The Story Must Go On
Before
leaving, Shikako left a clear instruction to the publisher and
the writer of the work, Tsukasa Monma: "If something happens
to me, I want you to appoint another artist to complete the story."
Respecting his wish, the publisher Kodansha has confirmed that
they will look for a successor to bring the work to its conclusion, although it
has not yet been decided who will take the brush.
A legacy
of 3 million copies
Manchuria
Opium Squad started
in April 2020 at Comic DAYS and became a
massive hit with over 3 million copies in circulation. Tsukasa
Monma, devastated by the loss of his partner, declared: "I promise to
complete the work at all costs. I think doing that is the greatest tribute to
Master Shikako."
Rest in
peace, Sensei. Thank you for your art.
