After his manga Memesis was canceled in 2019 after just 45 chapters, creator Takuya Yagyuu faced a turning point in his career. Rather than stepping away from the industry, he chose to reinvent himself.
Adopting the pen name Hirune, Yagyuu shifted his focus entirely to creating R18 manga. The transition marked a significant departure from his previous mainstream serialization work and reflected a bold decision to explore a different segment of the manga market.
Initially, the move came with hesitation. Yagyuu reportedly felt uncertain about how readers and industry peers would respond to his rebranding. Concerns about reputation, audience perception, and long-term sustainability weighed heavily on him. However, after receiving candid advice from a close friend, he decided to fully commit to the new direction instead of holding back.
The gamble ultimately paid off.
While his original author account maintained only a few thousand followers, his Hirune account rapidly gained traction. Today, it boasts more than 300,000 followers, with his highly detailed and polished artwork frequently going viral across social media platforms. His refined linework, expressive character designs, and consistent output helped him build a strong and loyal fanbase within the adult manga community.
Yagyuu’s journey highlights a broader reality within the manga industry: career paths are rarely linear. The cancellation of a series can be devastating, especially after months or years of work. Yet for some creators, it becomes an opportunity to reassess, pivot, and tap into new creative markets.
By embracing a different genre and fully committing to his rebrand as Hirune, Yagyuu not only rebuilt his audience but expanded it far beyond his previous reach. His story serves as a compelling example of adaptability in the competitive world of manga publishing, where flexibility and resilience can open unexpected doors to success.
