The manga industry is once again facing controversy following reports that former Act-Age author Tatsuya Matsuki has been working under a new identity. According to statements attributed to Shogakukan and its Manga One Editorial Department, Matsuki has allegedly been involved in the series Seisou no Shinrishi using the pen name Miki Yatsunami.
Matsuki was arrested in 2020 and later convicted for committing indecent acts involving minors. The case led to the immediate cancellation of Act-Age, a rising hit serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump at the time. Following his conviction, Matsuki was effectively removed from the mainstream manga industry, and his career appeared to have ended.
The recent revelation has reignited public scrutiny, particularly toward Shogakukan’s digital manga platform Manga One. The publisher had already been under criticism after issuing a public apology through its editorial team for rehiring another previously convicted manga creator, Yamamoto, despite a prior case involving a minor. That earlier decision had sparked significant backlash from readers and advocacy groups concerned about accountability and safeguarding standards within the industry.
With both incidents now drawing attention, questions are being raised about editorial oversight, transparency, and ethical responsibility within major manga publishing houses. Critics argue that publishers must balance creative opportunities with clear moral and legal accountability, especially in cases involving criminal convictions. Others point to the broader debate surrounding rehabilitation, second chances, and disclosure within creative industries.
As the situation continues to develop, readers and industry observers alike are closely watching how publishers respond. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between commercial interests, public trust, and ethical governance in Japan’s rapidly expanding digital manga market.
