Tatsuki Fujimotoauthor of Chainsaw Manrecently referred to the precarious working conditions he faced in his first years as a mangaka. In an interview reported by Japanese media, the creator confessed that during his first serialization he barely slept and worked to the limit of his physical and mental endurance.
“It was my first time doing a weekly serialization, and honestly it was brutal. I was constantly worried that they were going to cancel me. All I could think was 'if I deliver everything on time, I can continue,'” the mangaka said. “I was so full that I could barely sleep. When my assistants came I had to get up to greet them, so I ended up sleeping next to the main door,” he added.
Fujimoto's words reflect a constant problem within the Japanese manga industry, where weekly publication rhythms require long days and little rest. Similar cases have been documented in the career of recognized artists such as Akira Toriyama (dragon ball), Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) and the deceased Kentaro Miura (Berserk), who also faced severe consequences for their workloads.
Although the outlook remains demanding, Fujimoto claims to have found a healthier balance today, supported by a stable team of assistants who help him maintain the pace of production of Chainsaw Man. The manga continues in publication and its arc Pray It will soon be adapted to the big screen, while expectations grow for the anime's return with its second season.
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