Why Was Act-Age Canceled? Full Explanation

Act-Age was canceled and ended earlier than expected.

In this article, we explain why it ended so suddenly.

Why Was Act-Age Canceled? Full Explanation

Act-Age was canceled after the series writer Tatsuya Matsuki was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault.

 

“Act-Age” was serialized in *Weekly Shonen Jump* from Issue 8 of 2018 through the combined Issues 36 and 37 of 2020. Following the arrest of the original author, it was announced that the release of new volumes beyond Volume 13 would be suspended, and that sales of the existing Volumes 1 through 12 would be indefinitely halted.

 

August 8, 2020: Original author Tatsuya Matsuki arrested on suspicion of indecent assault

Tatsuya Matsuki, the creator of the popular manga *Act-Age*, which was serialized in *Weekly Shonen Jump*, has been arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of indecent assault for allegedly groping a middle school girl’s chest.

 

According to reports, the suspect is alleged to have approached the middle school girl on the street and committed the act. It has been revealed that he has largely admitted to the charges during questioning, sending shockwaves through the community of readers and those involved in the manga industry.

August 10, 2020: Official announcement by the editorial department regarding the end of the series and a statement on social responsibility

The editorial department of Shueisha’s *Weekly Shonen Jump* announced on its official website that it takes the situation very seriously. After verifying the facts and holding extensive discussions with the artist, Shiro Usazaki, they have decided that the series cannot continue and have decided to cancel it.

『アクタージュ act-age』連載終了に関するお知らせhttps://t.co/hCsKndrH2r pic.twitter.com/qZeSFhCUGy

— 少年ジャンプ編集部 (@jump_henshubu) August 10, 2020

The editorial department has offered a sincere apology to the readers who have supported us thus far. They explained that this agonizing decision was reached after carefully considering the gravity of the incident and the significant social responsibility that comes with publishing *Weekly Shonen Jump*.

 

The editorial department, along with the artist, Mr. Usazaki, is deeply distressed by this situation. However, the editorial department emphasized its commitment to supporting Mr. Usazaki and encouraging him to continue creating new works.

August 11, 2020: The series was discontinued following its publication in the combined 36th and 37th issues of Weekly Shonen Jump.

As announced the previous day, the episode published in the “Weekly Shonen Jump Combined Issues 36 & 37” released on August 11, 2020, marked the de facto final episode (cancellation) of the series.

 

With the story reaching its climax and expectations running high for media spin-offs, this sudden conclusion came as a great disappointment to fans who had highly praised the quality of the work.

August 17, 2020: Decision to suspend shipments and distribution of single-volume books and related publications indefinitely

As a further measure, Shueisha has decided to suspend shipments of volumes 1 through 12 of the existing series indefinitely, cancel the release of scheduled new volumes starting with volume 13, and suspend distribution of the digital comic versions indefinitely.

As a result of these measures, booksellers have been asked to return their stock, and the series is no longer available for purchase on digital stores.

 

In addition, following consultations with relevant parties, all related events, merchandise sales, and other promotional activities have been suspended entirely.

August 24, 2020: Statement from Shiro Usazaki, the artist, and consideration for the victim

Shiro Usazaki, the series’ artist, broke her silence on social media to express her firm commitment to fully accept the editorial department’s decision to end the serialization and cancel related projects in light of this incident.

アクタージュ読者の皆様へ pic.twitter.com/ewuOZR2ALB

— 宇佐崎しろ (@uszksr) August 24, 2020

Professor Usazaki emphatically stated that the cancellation of the work was in no way the fault of the victim, and that speaking out with courage was absolutely the right thing to do.

 

He then appealed to fans with deep sincerity, urging them never to engage in any form of violence that slanders the victim.

 

He concluded with words expressing his hope that the victim would receive the necessary emotional support and be able to live the rest of their life in peace.

Subsequent Developments: Support from Home and Abroad and Ongoing Assistance for Artists

News of the series’ cancellation spread far beyond Japan, receiving widespread coverage in overseas media, including American culture websites, and social media was flooded with multilingual messages of encouragement for Mr. Usazaki.

There were particularly many posts from English-speaking countries, with warm messages praising his efforts to date and wishing him success in the future.

 

The editorial department has publicly stated that it will continue to fully support Mr. Usazaki, who has been deeply wounded by this experience, and remains committed to providing close, personalized support so that he can once again bring wonderful works to the world.

 

Then, starting with Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 41, released on September 9, 2024, he made his return to weekly serialization for the first time in about four years as the artist for the new series “Mao no Ichi,” based on a story by Osamu Nishi, the creator of “Iruma-kun: The Demon Has Entered!”

 

This work has won first place in the “Next Manga Grand Prix 2025” comics category, and Mr. Usazaki’s overwhelming artistic skill and captivating character designs have once again garnered significant support, making it a hit series poised to lead the next generation of Jump.

 

Overcoming the hardship of an unwanted series conclusion and creating a new signature work through a collaboration with a talented creator has brought great joy to many fans.

Why It's a Shame ‘Act-Age’ Was Canceled: An Explanation of Its Popularity!

The overwhelming persuasiveness and depth of the acting and character portrayals

“Act-Age” was filled with overwhelming intensity, as the protagonist’s “method acting”—overlaying his own harsh past experiences onto his roles—instantly drew readers into the world of the story.

 

The complex emotional expressions, too nuanced to be summed up by simple terms like joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, were vividly portrayed as the awe-inspiring moment when the protagonist transforms into a different person on stage or in film scenes.

 

While evoking the legacy of the classic “Glass Mask,” the series exuded a unique charm through its passionate, shonen-style storytelling and open-ended exploration of performance theory.

 

Despite focusing on the elusive profession of acting, the manga is highly praised by readers for its masterful direction and persuasiveness—qualities that can only be fully realized through the medium of manga.

 

The exceptional artwork and meticulous composition, which masterfully capture moments of divine acting, made for a work truly worthy of being called a masterpiece of actor manga.

 

For this very reason, the fact that production was halted midway through the story still leaves many fans who seek to explore the possibilities of expression with a deep sense of loss.

The beauty of the animation and the directorial skill

The beautiful, delicate artwork by Shiro Usazaki, the artist behind *Act-Age*, was a major draw, eloquently conveying the emotions embedded in the characters’ gazes and fleeting expressions.

In particular, the power of the characters’ “eyes” is extraordinary; even without dialogue, you can directly sense what they are thinking.

 

The dynamic yet meticulously calculated panel layouts, combined with the perfect pacing of dialogue that adds rhythm to the story, created a narrative that kept readers turning the pages nonstop.

 

Both the female and male characters exuded distinct personalities, highlighting not only their visual beauty but also their inner charm.

 

The visual composition, supported by an overwhelming level of compositional skill, provided readers with more information than words alone could convey, along with a sense of realism that appealed to all five senses.

 

The unique artistic sensibility, born from the fusion of beautiful visuals and perfect panel layout, continues to shine with a brilliance unmatched by any other work, even now that the series has ended.

The Realism and Growth of the Characters

“Act-Age” deeply moved readers with its portrayal of a genius protagonist—who was socially awkward and rough around the edges—growing up clumsily as he interacted with those around him through theater.

 

Rather than simply depicting him as a perfect genius capable of anything from the start, the story realistically portrays the price he pays for his almost mad talent, as well as his human immaturity.

 

The protagonist’s rivals and allies—such as the film director—all possess strong, distinctive personalities and are vividly portrayed, each living by their own convictions.

 

Rather than existing merely as roles, every single character is imbued with a sense of reality, as if they were truly living in the real world.

 

As they spur each other on and, at times, are overwhelmed by clashes of talent, the process of their personal and emotional growth is depicted with a masterful range of nuance.

 

Precisely because the characters grew so authentically as flesh-and-blood human beings, there is no end to the voices of viewers who wanted to see their stories through to the very end.

A Classic Story with a Twist in *Jump*

“Act-Age” is a showbiz story—a rare genre in *Shonen Jump*—that features an “actress” as its protagonist, yet at its core lies the passionate, classic spirit of shonen manga.

 

The story of a talented protagonist who puts in blood, sweat, and tears, competing with friends and rivals as she strives for greatness, captivated countless readers.

 

Rather than dwelling on the murky intrigues of the entertainment industry, the story is filled with the exhilaration of approaching acting with pure passion and changing the world.

 

It strikes an exquisite balance that allows anyone to immerse themselves in the world of the story without feeling uncomfortable, leaving a refreshing aftertaste reminiscent of a masterpiece of classical music.

 

While taking a unique approach, the plot brilliantly reinterpreted the three pillars of shonen manga—“friendship, hard work, and victory”—in a modern context.

 

The fact that this classic story, which was poised to pioneer a new era, was cut short before reaching its full potential is a major loss for the entire manga industry.

The popularity of the background and voices lamenting its unfinished state

When “Act-Age” was serialized, it gradually gained popularity through word of mouth as Shonen Jump’s new flagship title, attracting so much public attention that rumors of an anime adaptation began to circulate.

 

It was also highly acclaimed within the entertainment industry, with professional actors and directors praising the accuracy of the work’s acting theories and depictions, which became a major talking point.

 

On social media, passionate comments like “It was truly fascinating” and “It’s still my favorite work” continue to be posted without pause.

 

Despite the complex nature of the work—which makes it somewhat difficult to recommend to others—there are still many devoted fans who hope that “everyone should read it at least once in their lifetime.”

 

Although the series ended unfinished, the fact that the long-form episodes depicted within the story are beautifully concluded with a miraculous level of polish is another reason why it continues to be talked about.

 

The shock and frustration of such a masterpiece—one that captivated so many people and had a tremendous impact both within and outside the industry—being abruptly canceled have not faded to this day.

Act-Age Synopsis

Kei Yonagi, a high school girl aspiring to be an actress, auditions for the talent agency “Stars” but is rejected.

However, she meets Sumiji Kuroyama, a film director who was involved in the selection process, and joins “Studio Daikokuten,” led by Kuroyama. The story follows her journey as she grows and pursues her dream of becoming an actress.

Final Thoughts on Act-Age

In conclusion, Act-Age was canceled and ended earlier than expected.

Overall, several factors discussed above likely influenced how Act-Age ended.

 

After the cancellation of Act-Age, Shiro Usazaki received strong support from fans for showing a sincere attitude and placing the highest priority on consideration for the victims.

Four years later, Usazaki returned as the artist for Ichi the Witch, and its major success became a meaningful moment for the fans who continued to support the artist through difficult times.

 

It may still be worth checking out for yourself.