One-Punch Man artist Yusuke Murata may take an extended break from drawing the manga due to his failing health.
As detailed on Anime Senpai, One-Punch Man was put on sudden hold, moving Chapter 183's projected release date to the following month. However, during a recent Twitter Space discussion, Murata revealed that he might take a much longer break from drawing the manga due to the ongoing toll that his workload is having on his physical health. "It is getting inarguably harder every month to manage my time for my family, work and myself." Murata explained. "As I have started working on a new anime series, my health has been in decline, and I have been thinking about going on a long break for a long time, and I might go on a vacation soon enough."
Unfortunately, health issues are common for those working in the anime and manga industry. According to recent data, over 98% of manga artists develop a condition called Repetitive Strain Injury (or RSI) which can cause prolonged pain and stiffness in muscles and joints. The primary cause of this condition is using a pen for extended periods, as many mangaka must do to meet their deadlines. Due to the demanding nature of the manga business, many prominent artists have difficulties with their health. One example is My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi, who has had to put his iconic series on hiatus several times over the years due to ongoing, unresolved health issues. Via Twitter, Murata even pleaded with Horikoshi to prioritize his health over his work.
The Original One-Punch Man Was on Hiatus For Two Years
ONE's original One-Punch Man webcomic launched on the artist's personal website back in 2009, with no official publisher. Yusuke Murata's manga remake launched on Shueisha's Tonari no Jump website in June 2012. ONE is also still drawing the original webcomic and recently shocked fans by suddenly publishing a new chapter after a 2-year hiatus. Madhouse later adapted the series into an anime, which premiered in October 2015. J.C. Staff took over for Madhouse in Season 2. Despite confirmation for Season 3, information on an official release window has yet to be released.
While Murata's poor health spells an uncertain future for his One-Punch Man manga, he continues to work on Zaiyuki, an anime based on Journey to the West. This story is the same Chinese folktale that inspired the legendary Dragon Ball franchise. In addition to the One-Punch Man webcomic, ONE is also working on a fantasy manga called Versus. Written by ONE with Series Composition by bose, this manga follows 47 different heroes selected to face off against the army of the Great Demon King. This manga also features art by Azuma Kyoutarou, known for their work on the Tenkaichi manga.
The One-Punch Man manga is available in English from VIZ. One-Punch Man's anime adaptation is available on Netflix and Hulu.
Source: Anime Senpai