Spy x Family Creator Is the Latest Manga Artist to Have Health Issues As the Industry Faces a Reckoning

Unfortunate news regarding recent chapters of the Spy x Family manga has just surfaced, resulting in a delayed release schedule for upcoming chapters. The series' mangaka, Tatsuya Endo, is currently in poor health, which has resulted in a Spy x Family hiatus beginning December 9th, that will delay further updates until December 23rd.

Tatsuya Endo is unfortunately just one of many mangaka who have suffered health issues due to their work and been forced to push back deadlines because of these physical ailments. This recent announcement, posted on the official Shonen Jump X account @shonenjump_plus, does not just hold disappointing news for Spy x Family fans eager for the next chapter, but sheds light on a disturbing problem that plagues the manga industry as a whole.

Tatsuya Endo’s Recent Health Struggles Highlight an Industry Wide Issue

Other Creators Like Oda, ONE, and Togashi Have Faced Physical Ailments as a Result of Their Work Too

Although it may be disappointing to have to wait longer than expected for a Spy x Family update, what is even more concerning is the state of the manga industry that is causing so many talented professionals like Endo to deteriorate physically and mentally in efforts to keep up with strict deadlines and constant pressure to create more content faster. Recently, One Punch Man's creator, known as ONE, has also struggled with health challenges, posting on X that they had to seek medical attention from the hospital due to complications with their asthma and chest pains.

The manga series One Piece was also on an unexpected break due to creator Eiichiro Oda's health, causing fans to worry. In recent years, Oda has taken a few hiatuses from his manga to focus on his well-being, concerning readers that he may be pushing himself too hard since the manga is so popular and releases weekly. Yoshihiro Togashi, of Hunter x Hunter fame, has dealt with horrible back pain, leading him to take a long hiatus as well, because he cannot sit in one place to illustrate his manga while his back is in such poor condition.

Endo’s Decision to Prioritize His Own Health Is the Right Choice in This Tough Situation

Going Forward, Creators Should Feel Encouraged To Take Breaks When Needed, Rather Than Overwork Themselves

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The fact that each of these creators is struggling proves that health-related consequences are all too common in the manga industry nowadays, to a more troubling degree than ever before. Creators in the anime industry also suffer similar challenges, and the backlash Blue Lock season two has faced is just one example. Tight deadlines, low pay, and an inadequate number of staff have caused a steep decline in quality for series like Blue Lock, as well as leading the workers themselves to become overworked and burnt out, reflected in their less than optimal physical and mental health.

Related Studio MAPPA's Long Story Of Controversies Overshadows Its Success Studio MAPPA is regarded as one of the best anime studios around, but there are, unfortunately, a lot of controversies around their work environment.

Endo's break is the right choice, because working to the point of exhaustion benefits neither the creators themselves nor the fans who receive the final product. Hiatuses have helped other creators like Oda and Togashi return later rejuvenated and feeling much better, able to create work they can be proud of since they have prioritized their health first. In the anime and manga industry, the work culture can be quite relentless and unaccepting of self-care, but this mindset only causes mediocre, rushed work and drained creators, so Spy x Family's Endo's hiatus is a step in the right direction.

Source: @shonenjump_plus on X, @@ONE_rakugaki on X