The manga industry is seeing a pair of health-related breaks this May as artists prioritize their well-being over publication schedules.

Kumichi Yoshizuki announced on X that they're pausing work on Nankai Trough Kyodai Jishin (Nankai Trough Megathrust Earthquake) for approximately two months following consultation with medical professionals. The artist cited multiple health challenges, including a cervical disc herniation diagnosed last month and suspected depression. Yoshizuki also battles autonomic nervous system issues that make extended desk work painful and prevent proper sleep. The break comes after chapter 33 released for premium readers on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket.

Yoshizuki's manga, launched in July 2024 with writer biki, explores a realistic portrayal of the catastrophic earthquake Japan has long anticipated from the Nankai Trough based on detailed interviews. The series has already reached its fifth compiled volume, which shipped in April. Prior to this project, Yoshizuki collaborated on the Ah My Job-Hunting Goddess spinoff based on Kousuke Fujishima's Oh My Goddess!, which ran from 2018 to 2021. The artist is also known for Someday's Dreamers, a magical slice-of-life series that inspired two anime adaptations and a live-action film.

Separately, the author of Kagurabachi is taking a one-week hiatus for health reasons, with the manga returning on May 25. While fewer details have been released about this break, it reflects a broader pattern of creators addressing burnout and medical issues.

These breaks highlight ongoing concerns about manga industry working conditions. The demanding schedules that weekly and monthly serialized manga require often take a toll on artists' physical and mental health. Both announcements represent artists making the difficult but necessary choice to step back and recover rather than risk more serious complications.

Readers can anticipate Yoshizuki's return around mid-July, while Kagurabachi fans only have a brief wait before new chapters resume.