The manga of Akihiro Ononaka“Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete (Getting excited about magical girls)”, will continue under the suspension that began in February of this year. The editorial team of the work, which gained great popularity after its anime adaptation broadcast earlier this year, published a statement in which it explains the situation:

• «Dear readers, we are always grateful for your continued support of 'Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete'. The work is currently on hold due to the illness of conductor Akihiro Ononaka, and we regret to inform you that this suspension will continue for some time while the author recovers.
• Ononaka-sensei's health is improving, but after discussion with the editorial staff, we have decided that more time is needed to ensure that he can resume work under optimal conditions. We apologize for the wait and ask for your patience as we wait for the series to return. We will inform you of the resumption date via the Storia Dash announcement page and the official X (formerly Twitter) account. We appreciate your understanding and continued support of 'Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete'.».

“Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete” caught the attention of many fans thanks to its original plot, which features Utena Hiiragi, a girl who receives the opportunity to transform into a magical girl. However, the offer turns out to be a trap, and Utena is recruited by an evil organization to fight against the magical girls she has always admired. Rather than feeling remorse, Utena finds pleasure in her new role as a villain, which adds a fascinating and dark dimension to the narrative.

The statement also highlights how demanding the job of being a manga artist is. Creating a manga series is an arduous process that requires constant dedication and significant effort. Artists must not only meet strict deadlines, but also maintain high quality in their work, which can affect their physical and mental health.

Akihiro Ononaka's case is no exception, and his dedication to “Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete” has been evident throughout his career. The pause in the series is a necessary measure to ensure your well-being and allow you to return with the energy and creativity necessary to continue offering quality work to your followers.

The fan community showed their support and understanding, wishing Ononaka a speedy and full recovery.

• «I'm relieved… We're really waiting, so please recover completely!».
• «Oh, I was wondering why there were no updates since February, but I found out that you were sick. Please take care of yourself. We will always be waiting.».
• «We will be waiting!».
• «A statement has finally been issued. At least we won’t have to be anxious in the middle of each month. Take care of yourself, Ononaka-sensei.».
• «W-what? I hope you recover soon! Health comes first!».
• «I'm glad to have heard updates…».
• «I heard that being a mangaka or illustrator is a very hard job… Please take care of yourself.».
• «It's sad that the suspension continues. But I was worried about the lack of updates, so I'm relieved».
• «Good news after so long. Death or imprisonment of manga artists is not so rare these days… I was thinking the worst».
• «We will wait as long as necessary!».
• «Thanks for the heads up. I was worried, so I'm relieved to know he's recovering.».

Source: Otakomu