Act-Age manga cancelled as creator is arrested

One of the latest releases from Viz, Act-Age, has become the centre of a very public scandal thanks to the arrest of the author, Matsuki Tatsuya on August 8th. 

NHK reported that on the Saturday morning, the author was arrested following an incident that took place on June 18th at 8pm. He is alleged to have indecently assaulted a female middle-school student while rising his bicycle in the Nakano ward of Tokyo. After the girl filed a report with police, they studied footage which showed both this incident and one other on a nearby road with a second girl, which involved a man who also looked like Matsuki. 

It is reported that Matsuki told police that "there's generally nothing incorrect" with their accusations.

Manga Plus posted the following statement.

Matsuki Tatsuya, the writer of act-age was arrested on August 8, 2020.

The editorial department takes this situation very seriously, and after confirming the matter and discussing it with Shiro Usazaki Sensei, the artist for the series, we have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to continue with its serialization. The chapter that is in combined issue 36/37 of Weekly Shonen Jump will be the final chapter.

It is extremely unfortunate to have to end a series that has received so much support from so many readers in this way. However, this decision was made because of the nature of the incident, and because Weekly Shonen Jump recognizes the weight of its social responsibility.

We offer our deepest regrets and apologies to our readers. This is a difficult time for Usazaki Sensei, but the editorial department offers Usazaki Sensei our support and encouragement for future works.

Information about graphic novel volumes and related publications and events will be announced as they are decided.

The manga was nominated for Kodansha's 43rd annual Managa Awards in 2019 and a stage play of the series is also in production for 2022.

You can read Rob Frazer's review of the English manga volume 1, which has just been released, here.