Notable Anime and Manga Works Interrupted by the Death of Their Creators

Berserk remains unfinished with its 41st volume, as its creator, Kentaro Miura, passed away in 2021 at the age of 54 due to a heart-related illness. His passing left a profound sense of loss in the global anime and manga community, raising uncertainties about the future of Berserk and its narrative direction.

On September 10, 2021, Berserk chapter 364 was published, marking the last chapter to feature the direct involvement of Kentaro Miura.

On June 7, 2022, it was announced that a new chapter of Berserk would be released, with content based on Miura’s “final instructions” provided to his close friend Kouji Mori. The new chapters of Berserk will be produced by Studio Gaga under the supervision of Kouji Mori.

Amane Atatameru (Amane Will Warm)

In 2013, creator Jun Sadogawa passed away at the age of 34 in Shinsui Park, located in Kitaosoma, Tone City, Japan. The unfinished manga Amane Atatameru has yet to be completed.

Boukyaku no Shirushi to Hime

This work has also not been completed, with 7 volumes published by creator Rou Soutsuka before his passing in 2014 due to cancer.

Crayon Shin-chan

Crayon Shin-chan remains unfinished at volume 50 due to the unexpected death of Usui Yoshito in 2009. Following his passing in 2010, the creative team released a sequel film, New Crayon Shin-chan.

Living in This World With Cut & Paste

This series is incomplete with 9 volumes, created by writer Tsugikuru, who passed away in 2019 under unclear circumstances (possibly due to a brain hemorrhage in 2017).

Doraemon

Doraemon is incomplete with 45 volumes due to the passing of mangaka Fujiko F. Fujio on September 20, 1996, from kidney failure. At the time of his death, Fujiko was finalizing the long-running series “Nobita and the Kingdom of Balloon Thieves.”

However, prior to his death, he had already prepared numerous drafts for the publisher. Following the passing of Fujiko F. Fujio, Fuji Pro Company began releasing a new series of Doraemon in March each year.

Highschool of the Dead

The creator of the popular manga Highschool of the Dead passed away on March 22, 2017, leaving the story incomplete at volume 7 since 2013. Simultaneously, the manga artist Daisuke Satō also passed away due to heart failure at the age of 52.

Crossroads of the Foreign Labyrinth

This work also remains unfinished with only 2 volumes published due to the unexpected death of Hinata Takeda in 2017, with the cause remaining unclear.

Itazura na Kiss (It Started With a Kiss)

The manga remains unfinished at volume 23 due to the passing of mangaka Kaoru Tada in 1999, due to a brain hemorrhage from a prior accident. According to reports, the anime adaptation utilized the drafts left by Tada.

Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai shiteita (This Is the First, and Probably Final, Loose Hostile Relation)

This work remains incomplete with 3 volumes by Cocoa Fujiwara, who passed away in 2015 due to an undisclosed illness. An anime adaptation is currently in production.

Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha (The Misfit of Demon King Academy)

The story remains unfinished with 4 volumes completed by the author Kayaharuka, who passed away in 2021 due to pancreatic cancer.

MM!

This work remains unfinished at volume 12 due to the death of Akinari Matsuno in 2011, with the cause of death remaining unclear (possibly due to a long-term illness).

Oshikake Maid no Shirayuki-san (Stalker Maid Shirayuki)

The story remains unfinished with 2 volumes created by Morishige, who passed away in 2020 under unclear circumstances. Morishige is a pen name used by a duo. The identity of the other member in the creative team remains unknown.

Rain

Rain is unfinished with 15 volumes by Takumi Yoshino, who passed away in 2019, with the cause remaining unclear.

Kaze no Stigma (Stigma of the Wind)

The manga is incomplete with 12 volumes by Takahiro Yamato, who passed away in 2009 due to a serious illness.

Shindere Shoujo to Kodoku na Shinigami (Lovestruck Dead Girl and Forlorn Death God)

The story remains unfinished due to the death of writer Yuki Shinkiba in 2015, with the cause being complications from cancer treatment.

Tatoe Hai ni Nattemo (Though You May Burn to Ash)

This work remains unfinished with 6 volumes by Kakashi Oniyazu, who passed away in 2019, with the specific reasons not disclosed.

Zero no Tsukaima (The Familiar of Zero)

The series remains unfinished with 22 volumes by Noboru Yamaguchi, who passed away in 2013, with the reasons for his death not clearly stated (possibly due to cancer, as he was diagnosed with it in 2011).