Inochi no Utsuwa Ends with 100th Volume: A 35-Year Epic Series Comes to an End
Achieving a rare feat in the world of manga, Inochi no Utsuwa (Vessel of Life) by Kimiko Uehara officially came to an end with the release of its 100th volume on April 16. Running continuously since 1991, this massive medical drama is both one of the longest-running examples of its genre and one of the most respected works in the Josei (aimed at adult women) manga category. To celebrate this historic moment, publisher Akita Shoten offered fans an unforgettable farewell gift by providing free access to the first 99 volumes of the series on the Champion Cross platform for 100 hours.
At the center of the series is Kyoko Ariyoshi, an obstetrician who runs her own clinic in a small town in Nagano. Inochi no Utsuwa possesses a structure that delves deeply not only into medical cases but also into the miracle of birth, family bonds, and the ethical challenges of life. By inviting readers to share in Kyoko's professional and personal journey for 35 years, Kimiko Uehara has become an important cultural figure who has influenced the perspective on the medical world in Japan. The series, which said its farewell to the magazine with its 392nd chapter published in March, offers an emotional finale that ties up all the loose ends of this long-running story with its 100th volume.
A manga surpassing the 100-volume mark is considered equivalent to reaching "legendary" status in the Japanese publishing industry; as there are only about 20 series in all of Japan that have reached this number. Throughout its journey, which began in For Mrs. magazine, Inochi no Utsuwa sold millions of copies and built a loyal readership. The 79-year-old master artist Kimiko Uehara is a name who has also inspired figures such as Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi. In her statement regarding the finale, Uehara shared her feelings, saying, "I was able to continue because I love drawing manga. When I finished the last page, I felt a burst of accomplishment inside and smiled. I have no regrets."
The series' farewell marks the end of an era for the manga community. The work, which was also adapted into a 59-episode live-action series in 1998, received praise at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2004 for its medical accuracy and human touch. The 100-hour free reading event offers a great opportunity for those who have never started the series to step into this massive body of work. Although the farewell of Inochi no Utsuwa is sad, the messages Kyoko Ariyoshi gave regarding the sanctity of life will continue to maintain their unshakable place in manga history.
