We have manga whose history spans many years and volumes and often, given the pace of release of a work and the unfortunate death of its authors, some end up remaining unfinished. Here are some mentions of notable authors whose manga were left unfinished due to their death.
The untimely deaths of these talented creators left a lasting impact on the Japanese entertainment industry. However, the dedication of editors, contributors and the community allowed some work to continue, honoring the legacy of those who left before their time.
Berserk
Incomplete with 41 volumes due to the death of Kentaro Miura in 2021 due to a aortic dissection. Perhaps the most emblematic case of the premature end of a series in the new millennium. Opinions about the continuation by his team of assistants are divided.
Amane Atatameru (Amane will Warm)
Incomplete with 3 volumes due to death by suicide of Jun Sadogawa in 2013.
Boukyaku no Shirushi to Hime
Incomplete with 7 volumes due to the death of Rou Soutsuka in 2014 due to stomach cancer.
Crayon Shin-chan
Incomplete with 50 volumes due to the death of Usui Yoshito in 2009 in a mysterious hiking accident. In 2010, members of Usui’s creative team released a sequel to the series, New Crayon Shin-chan.
Cut & Paste de Kono Sekai wo Ikiteiku (Living in This World With Cut & Paste)
Incomplete with 9 volumes due to the death of the writer Tsugikuru in 2019 for undisclosed causes (possibly complications from a brain hemorrhage in 2017). It is unclear whether the artist intends to continue the manga.
Doraemon
Incomplete with 45 volumes due to the death of Fujiko F. Fujio in 1996 due to liver failure.
Highschool of the Dead
Incomplete with 7 volumes due to the death of the writer Daisuke Sato in 2017 due to heart disease.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée (Crossroads of the Foreign Labyrinth)
Incomplete with 2 volumes due to death of Hinata Takeda in 2017 for undisclosed reasons.
Itazura na Kiss (It Started With a Kiss)
Incomplete at 23 volumes due to the death of Kaoru Tada in 1999 due to a cerebral hemorrhage caused by traumatic brain injury. According to his wife, the anime adaptation uses Tada’s planned ending and uses his notes.
Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai shiteita. (This Is the First, and Probably Final, Loose Hostile Relationship.)
Incomplete with 3 volumes due to the 2015 death of Cocoa Fujiwara due to an undisclosed illness. An anime adaptation is in production.
Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha (manga adaptation) (The Misfit of Demon King Academy)
Incomplete with 4 volumes due to the death of Kayaharuka in 2021 due to pancreatic neoplasia.
MM!
Incomplete with 12 volumes due to the death of Akinari Matsuno in 2011 for undisclosed causes (probably long-term illness).
Oshikake Maid no Shirayuki-san (Stalker Maid Shirayuki)
Incomplete with 2 volumes due to death of Morishige in 2020 for undisclosed reasons. Morishige was the pseudonym used by a couple; It is not known which member of the creative team died.
Rain
Incomplete with 15 volumes due to the death of Takumi Yoshino in 2019 for undisclosed reasons.
Kaze no Stigma (Stigma of the Wind)
Incomplete with 12 volumes (including derivative books) due to the death of Takahiro Yamato in 2009 due to leukemia.
Shindere Shoujo to Kodoku na Shinigami (Lovestruck Dead Girl and Forlorn Death God)
Incomplete due to the writer’s death in 2015 Yuki Shinkiba due to complications resulting from treatment against a neoplasm.
Tatoe Hai ni Nattemo (Though You May Burn to Ash)
Incomplete with 6 volumes due to the death of Kakashi Oniyazu in 2019 for undisclosed reasons.
Zero no Tsukaima (The Familiar of Zero)
Incomplete with 22 volumes due to the death of Noboru Yamaguchi in 2013 for undisclosed causes (probably neoplasia, of which he was diagnosed in 2011).