Tokyo — Yukiko Nozawa, the illustrator of the hit romantic comedy manga “The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You” (often shortened to “100 Girlfriends”), has announced she will take maternity and childcare leave, with the series’ release pace to be temporarily adjusted. Nozawa shared the news on X (formerly Twitter) on the 19th, emphasizing both her gratitude to readers and her commitment to returning in full health.
What Nozawa Announced
In a written statement, Nozawa said she will step back for maternity and childcare, and that the team will adjust the serialization schedule for a period. She explained that, after a previous hospitalization and surgery last year, she discovered she was pregnant soon afterward. To communicate from a stable point in her pregnancy, she waited to go public until now, apologizing for any concern caused during the interim and thanking fans for their warm support.
Importantly for readers, she noted that several chapters have already been prepared to bridge the gap during her leave. The exact publication timing will be announced via the series’ official account. After her parental leave, she aims to steadily ramp back up to the series’ usual weekly rhythm, health permitting.
Release Plans Remain on Track
Nozawa confirmed that work on Volume 25 has been completed, with the publication date to be announced by the official channels. Volumes from 26 onward will proceed in consultation with writer Rikito Nakamura and the editorial team, aligning progress with her health and recovery. She also reassured fans that supervision work on related media, including the anime, continues smoothly in cooperation with partners.
Inside a Global Cult Favorite
“100 Girlfriends” launched in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump in the combined Issue 4–5 of 2020. Written by Rikito Nakamura and illustrated by Yukiko Nozawa, the series quickly built a passionate following for its high-energy humor, affectionate character work, and tongue-in-cheek premise: after 100 rejections in middle school, protagonist Rentarou Aijou learns from a “God of Love” that he will meet 100 destined soulmates in high school. The catch? If any of these soulmates fails to find happiness with him, calamity awaits. The result is a knowingly outrageous “Dead or Love” rom-com that balances farce with earnest sweetness.
The title has since expanded its audience beyond Japan, boosted by an anime adaptation and robust fan communities overseas. For global readers and anime fans discovering Japan through pop culture, “100 Girlfriends” is emblematic of modern Japanese manga: inventive, collaborative, and unafraid to mix heartfelt themes with genre-bending comedy.
Why This Matters in Japan’s Creative Industry
Nozawa’s announcement highlights a meaningful trend in Japan’s cultural sector: greater openness about health, family life, and work-life balance among top creators. With supportive editors and co-creators, high-profile artists are increasingly able to take parental leave without derailing beloved series. In this case, early manuscript stockpiling, clear communication, and staggered scheduling illustrate how Japan’s publishing professionals are working to protect both creator well-being and reader expectations.
Her personal note—wondering how becoming a parent might deepen her perspective when drawing future “baby” chapters, and specifically mentioning deepening empathy for fan-favorite character Hahari Hanazono—captures a hopeful creative arc. Fans can likely expect that lived experience to subtly enrich the series’ humor and tenderness when she returns.
What Fans and Overseas Readers Should Watch For
- Official updates: Timing for chapter releases during leave will be posted by the “100 Girlfriends” official account.
- Volume 25: Production is finished; the release date will be announced by the publisher.
- Anime and media: Oversight continues smoothly, signaling stability for cross-media content.
- Post-leave plan: A gradual return to the weekly pace, aligned with Nozawa’s health.
For international readers in Japan—or planning a trip—major bookstores in Tokyo and other cities reliably stock Weekly Young Jump and collected volumes, and many shops offer tax-free options. The continued strength of series like “100 Girlfriends” is a reminder of Japan’s global cultural pull, where creators and publishers are working together to sustain quality while respecting life’s biggest milestones.
As Nozawa steps into her first experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, the message to readers is clear: thank you for your patience—and stay tuned. The love story may slow its pace for a while, but its heart remains very much alive.
