Weekly Shounen Jump Cancels 'Act-age' Serialization

by Vindstot
Aug 10, 2020 3:24 AM | 114 Comments

The editorial department of Weekly Shounen Jump announced on Monday that the serialization of Act-age has been cancelled. The chapter appearing in the combined 36th and 37th issue on Tuesday will mark the manga's conclusion.

The announcement comes two days after the manga's author, Tatsuya Matsuki, was arrested on suspicion of sexual misconduct with two junior high school girls. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Matsuki confessed that the accusations are not incorrect and admitted the charges.

The editorial department clarified in a statement that after confirming the matter and discussing it with the manga's illustrator Shiro Usazaki, it is not possible to continue with the serialization.

Shueisha's Manga Plus platform announced Saturday that it will not post the final chapter on its website and released an English statement:

Tatsuya Matsuki, the writer of Act-age was arrested on August 8, 2020.

The editorial department takes this situation very seriously, and after confirming the matter and discussing it with Usazaki-sensei, the illustrator for the manga, we have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to continue with its serialization. The chapter that is in the combined 36th and 37th issue of Weekly Shounen Jump will be the final chapter.

It is extremely unfortunate to have to end a series that has received so much support from so many readers in this way. However, this decision was made because of the nature of the incident, and because Weekly Shounen Jump recognizes the weight of its social responsibility.

We offer our deepest regrets and apologies to our readers. This is a difficult time for Usazaki-sensei, but the editorial department offers Usazaki-sensei our support and encouragement for future works.

Information about the graphic novel volumes, related publications, and events will be announced as they are decided.

Matsuki and Usazaki published the Asagaya Geijutsu Koukou Eizou-ka e Youkoso (Welcome to Asagaya Art High School Film Department) one-shot in Weekly Shounen Jump in January 2017, which became the prototype for Act-age. The latter began regular serialization in the magazine the following January. Shueisha published the 12th volume on July 3.

VIZ Media released the first three chapters in English simultaneously with the Japanese release in its digital Weekly Shounen Jump magazine as a part of its Jump Start initiative. The company began simulpubing the manga digitally through its Shounen Jump platform in December 2018. The first volume shipped on July 7. Manga Plus began simulpublishing the series in English last January.

Act-age ranked third in the 14th edition of Recommended Comics Selected by Japanese Bookstore Employees last year and placed fifth in the 4th Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Taisho in 2018—a joint award by Kadokawa's Da Vinci literature magazine and streaming platform Niconico. The manga was also nominated for the 43rd Kodansha Manga Awards last May.

Source: Oricon News

Series End

20 of 114 Comments Recent Comments

Yeah but now the series is gone and it's not in stores as i would love to see a anime adaptation by Madhouse and a English dub by Funimation so why won't the artist give the go ahead for a anime adaptation of Act Age with a second season with a anime original ending

Dec 12, 2023 10:07 PM by JediPadawan2001

At the very least, he didn't deny it and take it like a man. I'm not saying that molesting someone is good, but at the very least he tried to repent from his mistake. Bit of battered about when I almost jump to this, but I do believe that act age is good based on my own standards. I do hope he somehow "will" continue and I'll gladly enjoy it the next time he had the chance to.

Sep 16, 2020 12:19 PM by apep23

Damn. I always wanted to see this animated, but I guess now it's certain I'll never see it.

Sep 2, 2020 9:31 PM by SadMadotsuki

That is really unfortunate. Hopefully no one else will ever do this, and Tatsuya Matsuki will change for the better. Best wishes to those who was affected by this incident.

Aug 29, 2020 12:57 AM by Yamichanpc

Good. Hope this dude and everyone defending him rots.

Aug 25, 2020 8:57 PM by cureem

Fabris said:
Molesting underaged victims IS being a pedophile...what do you THINK a pedophile is?

It's dependent upon the age of the girls in question. It seems as if news giving more specifics around this incident has been fairly scarce, or at least out of what I've seen posted thus far on MAL, but pedophilia is defined as a sustained attraction to specifically prepubescent children. Though that is separate entirely from the offense of molestation. There are pedophiles who don't molest anyone regardless of age and acts of molestation/sexual assault committed against those of all ages (including any adult age). It isn't something defined by "underaged" because it's classified in medical and psychiatric terms concerning biology and anatomy about attraction to those prior to their reaching a level of sexual development; the underaged thing is a legal issue not a medical one because what constitutes underaged is different in every jurisdiction and changes over time so is much more malleable and fluid but pedophilia has a strict biologically-based definition.

So, it can be said he is alleged to have committed molestation/sexual assault, but automatically labeling him a pedophile in addition is going too far and possibly inaccurate without further disclosure of personal information concerning the victims, like the girls' ages.

Aug 25, 2020 7:48 PM by WatchTillTandava

molesting doesn't mean pedophile stop spitting big words to win debates.

Molesting underaged victims IS being a pedophile...what do you THINK a pedophile is?

you don't care about buildup and effort required to build a well selling series

I do, but the author does not, otherwise he would not be doing that, right when he was on the verge of becoming famous and rich.

And potentially ruining the career of the artist (I really hope that is not the case) who was working with him for years.

Aug 25, 2020 2:34 PM by Fabris

RiseUp_SS-kun said:

Kuma said:

if you actually have regards to series, you should think people who have to affiliated with and supporting pedophile if they continue the series. but you don't. you just projecting.

Don't use big words like projecting when you don't care about buildup and effort required to build a well selling series, molesting doesn't mean pedophile stop spitting big words to win debates.

bruh, did you just saying you know more about build a well selling series more then the artist herself?

Aug 25, 2020 10:35 AM by Kuma

Kuma said:

RiseUp_SS-kun said:
Shame on you having no regards for a series, learn to separate artist and there creation.

if you actually have regards to series, you should think people who have to affiliated with and supporting pedophile if they continue the series. but you don't. you just projecting.

Don't use big words like projecting when you don't care about buildup and effort required to build a well selling series, molesting doesn't mean pedophile stop spitting big words to win debates.

Aug 25, 2020 10:15 AM by OeKusoBaba

Man IKR. bit heartbroken mate

Aug 23, 2020 9:31 AM by DSZarts

RiseUp_SS-kun said:
Shame on you having no regards for a series, learn to separate artist and there creation.

if you actually have regards to series, you should think people who have to affiliated with and supporting pedophile if they continue the series. but you don't. you just projecting.

Aug 21, 2020 6:25 PM by Kuma

Fabris said:
There it goes in the dustbin of history a excellent manga, with touching arcs and characters.
Hope the artist get's a new job soon in the market. She's talented as hell and did nothing wrong.

For those who liked the Acting setting for a Drama with female lead: go read Kasane. Bonus: It's finished.

RiseUp_SS-kun said:
It doesn't matter to me what crime anyone commits, I don't really like to see any series get cancelled it hurts my heart.

Anime community was a mistake...

Shame on you having no regards for a series, learn to separate artist and there creation.

Aug 21, 2020 9:43 AM by OeKusoBaba

Just because he was arrested doesn't mean he can't continue his job... once he is out can still continue working on it, that if he wants and the audience shows some interest but still, it won't have the support of being released on shonen jump. So it loses what could have been an incredible boost on popularity, along his new stained reputation, it will be quite hard to make it a success.

Aug 19, 2020 7:04 PM by error5000

Raratah said:
Bro I am tried of this cancel culture. Ya the author fucked up and will be punished accordingly, but does jump really need to scrub the series off the face of the earth? I don't agree with that one bit.

No one wants to be associated with pedos. It's bad for business.

Specially a business model like Shounen Jump, who target mostly early adults and teens.

You dont need le "SJW NPC cucks soyboys" strawman, it's cold, capitalist logic.

It's not like the series had anything pedo-esque, or that liking it makes you some sort of accomplice, but keeping it on official sales will keep giving part of the profits for the idiot writer.

Oh, well, goodbye, anime adaptation.

Aug 19, 2020 3:44 PM by Fabris

first time? your brother has caught using drugs? you lose your job as well. your parents have history of unpaid debt? sorry, we can deny your employment. oh you have tattoo? you can't access 80% of public venue. welcome to japan.

Aug 19, 2020 5:51 AM by Kuma

Bro I am tried of this cancel culture. Ya the author fucked up and will be punished accordingly, but does jump really need to scrub the series off the face of the earth? I don't agree with that one bit.

Aug 19, 2020 2:48 AM by Raratah

Sad for the manga, the author to rot in prison.

Aug 17, 2020 11:27 AM by Kinyoubi

I feel bad for the artist, but that's about it. No pity for the author.

Aug 17, 2020 10:54 AM by malvarez1

https://twitter.com/WSJ_manga/status/1295302461117337603
________________________________

Official Statement on act-age volumes and plans for related content of the series.

· No more volumes will be released further. Volume 13 won't be released. Volumes 1 to 12 won't have any more prints for an indefinite period of time.
· All digital distribution of the series will stop in any bookstore, from third parties to Shonen Jump+ and Jump BOOK Store.
· For every planned project that includes applicants, merch will be shipped as scheduled even if they can be canceled.
· act-age's Official 2021 Calendar will be discontinued. All reservations in Jump Store will be refunded and other customers should contact their bookstores.
· Natsucomi's Photo Contest for act-age will be discontinued. Those selected will be able to re-entry for another series.
· Rakujou's DVD Box present in commemoration of Volume 12 release will be canceled. All winners will have a replacement product sent in compensation.
· Jump Shop's 366 Day Stickers for act-age scheduled for release on August 30th will be discontinued.
. act-age has been removed from MANGA Plus. Series doesn't appear anymore on the Manga List of the website.
. Studio Daikokuten Website has been taken down: https://shonenjump.com/studio_daikokuten
. Yonagi has been removed from Shonen Jump's Youtube Channel and every act-age video is now private and unavailable.
__________________________________

considering Shiro Usazaki also deleted every mention of act age in her bio, i think it's better for everyone involved to move on as soon as possible.

thanks for ruining for everyone matsuki bastard. i hope you rot in jail. and jail has no mercy for child molester.

Aug 17, 2020 6:18 AM by Kuma

Real shame, I really liked the series and this was definitely not the way I imagined it ending. I can't even begin to understand what drove the author to do what he did.

I hope the illustrator's career isn't ruined by this. Good luck to her, I hope she can work on something just as good in the future.

Aug 15, 2020 8:53 AM by Lelouch0202

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