'Manchuria Opium Squad' Illustrator Shikako Passes Away at 37 After Battling Rare Cancer

Shikako, the illustrator of the popular manga 'Manchuria Opium Squad', has passed away at a young age, leading to an outpouring of grief from fans.

On the 22nd, the editorial department of Kodansha's 'Weekly Young Magazine' announced through their official channel that Shikako passed away at the age of 37 due to choroidal malignant melanoma on November 8 at 10:38 AM.

Creative Passion Continued Despite Illness... A Heartbreaking Farewell

Shikako announced a hiatus starting in October 2023 due to eye diseases, including vision loss in the right eye. At that time, he expressed his determination to continue treatment and serialization despite the choroidal malignant melanoma diagnosed last summer having metastasized to other organs through his X account, receiving much support from many.

The work he illustrated, 〈Manchuria Opium Squad〉, is a crime suspense set in Manchuria during the Showa era, and as of April, it has surpassed 3 million copies in circulation, making it a popular work. The editorial department stated, "We express our deep gratitude and respect for Shikako's excellent work and sincerely convey our condolences."

"Completing the Work is a Tribute"... Continuing as per His Last Wishes

Story writer Monma Tsukasa expressed his sorrow at losing a precious partner. He said, "We were of similar ages and shared many hardships as writers, and I deeply trusted him," adding, "I believe that establishing a ghostwriter to complete the work according to Shikako's last wishes is a true tribute to him."

The choroidal malignant melanoma that led to his death is known to be a very rare cancer, with only about 50 annual cases reported in Japan, adding to the tragedy. Colleagues in the manga industry and fans are mourning, saying, "We lost a genius with a unique personality too soon."