Gantz Creator Hiroya Oku Announces He Will Retire After Kanrekihime
Hiroya Oku is considered one of the most talked-about names in the manga world; the creator behind series such as Gantz, Inuyashiki, and Gigant has announced that he will retire when his final manga, Kanrekihime, is completed. In a statement reported by Anime News Network, Oku explained the reason for his decision, saying, “Honestly, I no longer have the energy to continue drawing.”
Born in 1967, Oku achieved his big break with Gantz, which was serialized in Weekly Young Jump from 2000 to 2013. His hard sci-fi narrative built on aliens, death, and human nature made the series a cult phenomenon while also placing it at the center of controversy due to its levels of violence and sexuality. The 2004 anime adaptation of Gantz, the 2011 live-action films, and the 2016 Gantz:O animated film demonstrated how much fans embraced this universe.
After Gantz, Oku continued along the same unsettling and profound line with Inuyashiki (2014-2017) and Gigant (2017-2021). Inuyashiki reached a wider audience through an anime series produced by MAPPA; Gigant stood out as a project in which Oku blended gender and media criticism with science fiction. Throughout this period, Oku carved out a unique place for himself with a narrative style that pushed the boundaries of the seinen genre.
At the center of the retirement decision is the ongoing series Kanrekihime. This manga, whose title includes the word "kanreki," which refers to the 60th birthday in Japanese, is considered the final chapter of Oku's career. Although Oku did not provide details about the completion date of Kanrekihime, he clearly stated that he will put down his pen entirely at the end of this series.
This announcement marks the end of an era, especially for readers who grew up with the Gantz generation. Oku's words "I have no energy" also highlight the physical and mental burden that drawing a weekly series has placed on him for many years. Fans now wonder what kind of farewell Kanrekihime will be and whether Oku will completely disappear after retirement.
