Manga artist Hiroya Oku announces retirement plans

On August 11, 2026, the manga industry received surprising news: Hiroya Oku, the visionary creator behind cult classics like GANTZ and Inuyashiki, announced his upcoming retirement.

Oku plans to step down once he finishes his current series, Kanrekihime (The Sweet Sixty Princess).

In a recent interview, the artist explained that while his creative passion remains strong, the intense physical and mental demands of serializing manga have become unsustainable.

Kanrekihime, which began in December 2025, represents a departure from his usual high-octane sci-fi.

Instead, it offers a grounded, character-driven story about aging and identity, featuring men who transform into young women via a mysterious drug.

Oku describes this project as his shukatsu, or final life-preparation work, signaling that he sees it as the conclusion of his storied career.

Known for pioneering digital creation methods in manga and blending dark, provocative themes with human fragility, Oku leaves behind a legacy that has shaped modern anime and live-action adaptations alike.

While no official date for his retirement has been set, fans are eager to see how this influential artist closes his final chapter.