A statue of One Piece’s Sanji has been erected in Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. Eiichiro Oda hails from Kumamoto and the statue is a sign of support for the prefecture, which was hit by a series of strong earthquakes in 2016.

Manga creator Leiji Matsumoto was discharged from a hospital in Turin, Italy this Wednesday. Visiting the country for a Space Pirate Captain Harlock event, he was admitted on November 15 after collapsing. He was reported to be in serious condition but has since improved and returned home to Japan. 

Manga artist Hideo Azuma has died from esophageal cancer. He was 69. Azuma created numerous manga, including Nanako S0S (Nana the Supergirl) and Little Pollon. In 2005, he published the award-winning Disappearance Diary about his struggles with alcohol addiction. May he rest in peace. 

Manga creator Konami Sonoda of ChocoMimi fame has passed away due to breast cancer. ChocoMimi debuted in 2003 and a live-action version followed in 2007.

In the name of the moon, Uniqlo has revealed some new Sailor Moon shirts, featuring Naoko Takeuchi’s classic art. They will be out next week. 

Berserk is back! The manga will get another serialized chapter later this month in Young Animal magazine. The manga’s last chapter appeared in April after it had been on an eight-month break. Berserk has been no stranger to extended hiatuses.