Act-Age

Act-Age (Japanese: アクタージュ, Hepburn: Akutāju) is a Japanese manga series written by Tatsuya Matsuki and illustrated by Shiro Usazaki. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 2018 to August 2020, with its chapters collected into 12 tankōbon volumes. Act-Age was canceled by the magazine and removed from all official platforms after Matsuki's arrest in August 2020.

Act-Age
Cover of the first manga volume of Act-Age, as published in Japan by Shueisha.
アクタージュ
(Akutāju)
GenreDrama[1]
Manga
Written byTatsuya Matsuki
Illustrated byShiro Usazaki
Published byShueisha
English publisher
Viz Media (rescinded)
ImprintJump Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Jump
English magazine
Weekly Shonen Jump (rescinded)
DemographicShōnen
Original runJanuary 22, 2018 – August 11, 2020
Volumes12

Viz Media published the first three chapters for its "Jump Start" initiative and then began to simulpublished the series in December 2018 after a restructuring of the English Shonen Jump. Shueisha had also published the series in English on Manga Plus starting in January 2019.

Plot

The story focuses on Kei Yonagi, a high school girl who strives to become an actress. She lives with her two younger siblings, after their father left them and their mother died. Kei has an extreme talent for method acting, to the point where she loses track of reality while acting. At an audition, some speculate that acting of this intensity could be self-destructive, and cite that as a reason for not accepting her. However, Kei catches the eye of the highly acclaimed director Sumiji Kuroyama, who steps forward with the intent of bringing out her full potential.

Characters
Kei Yonagi (夜凪 景, Yonagi Kei)
A gorgeous high school girl who finds herself raising her younger siblings, Rui and Rei, on her own, after their father left them and their mother died. She has an innate talent for method acting, in which she uses memories from her own past to fully get into the role. However, her approach is extremely immersive, to the point where she gets lost in the role and becomes unable to distinguish fiction and reality.
Sumiji Kuroyama (黒山 墨字, Kuroyama Sumiji)
He is a director and the founder of Studio Daikokuten. He is famous overseas for his awards in various film festivals, but he is not as well known in Japan.
Yuki Hiiragi (柊 雪, Hiiragi Yuki)
She is an assistant director and filmmaker at Studio Daikokuten who works with Kuroyama. She is also a production manager and a talent manager for the studio.
Chiyoko Momoshiro (百城 千世子, Momoshiro Chiyoko)
Nicknamed "the Angel", she is a famous actor from the Stars Agency.
Arisa Hoshi (星 アリサ, Hoshi Arisa)
She is the founder and CEO of the Stars Agency.
Akira Hoshi (星 アキラ, Hoshi Akira)
He is an actor from the Stars Agency and the son of Arisa Hoshi.
Araya Myojin (明神 阿良也, Myōjin Araya)
An incredibly skilled stage play actor.

Media

Manga

Act-Age is written by Tatsuya Matsuki and illustrated by Shiro Usazaki. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 22, 2018 to August 11, 2020.[2][3] The individual chapters were collected and published by Shueisha into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on May 2, 2018.[4] The twelfth and last volume was released on July 3, 2020.[5]

On August 8, 2020, it was reported that Matsuki was arrested for allegedly approaching and inappropriately touching two female middle school students in June of the same year.[6][7] Editors from Weekly Shōnen Jump stated that they would be taking the matter seriously.[8] It was later announced that the series would immediately end publication, with the chapter released on August 11, 2020 being the last.[3] On August 17, 2020, it was announced that Shueisha has suspended all sales of the manga. It was also announced that volume 13 and further volumes have been canceled.[9] On August 24, 2020, Shiro Usazaki issued a statement expressing sympathies for the victims, adding that they did not want their manga to be a work that triggers similar reactions from the victims and considered the cancellation appropriate. Despite their regrets of having to end the manga mid-way, they urged fans of the series not to harass or blame the victims.[10][11] On September 16, 2020, Matsuki was formally indicted for the second of the two indecent acts committed.[12] Matsuki's sentencing was held on December 23, 2020. The Tokyo District Court handed Matsuki a guilty verdict and a sentence of one year and six months in prison suspended for three years (Matsuki will not serve his sentence if he remains on good behavior for three years).[13]

Viz Media published the first three chapters for its "Jump Start" initiative and then began to simulpublish the series in December 2018 after a restructuring of the English Shonen Jump. Shueisha also simulpublished in English the series on the app and website Manga Plus starting in January 2019.[14][15] Following Matsuki's arrest in August 2020, Viz Media and Manga Plus decided to not publish the series' final chapter on their platforms.[3][16] In October 2019, Viz Media announced the print release of the manga in summer 2020.[17] The first volume was released on July 7, 2020.[18] Following Matsuki's arrest, Viz Media removed its listing of further compiled book volumes of the manga.[16]

Volume list
No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 May 2, 2018[4]978-4-08-881483-4July 7, 2020[18]978-1-9747-0996-0
  1. "Kei Yonagi ("夜凪景, Yonagi Kei)
  2. "First Job" (初仕事, Hatsu-Shigoto)
  3. "Stage 2" (ステージ2, Sutēji Tsū)
  4. "Townperson A" (町人A, Chōnin Ē)
  1. "An Unknown Me" (知らない私, Shiranai Watashi)
  2. "Angel of Stars" (“スターズの天使”, "Sutāzu no Tenshi")
  3. "Audition" (オーディション, Ōdishon)
2 July 4, 2018[19]978-4-08-881509-1September 1, 2020[20]978-1-9747-0997-7
  1. "Audition (Part 2)" (オーディション②, Ōdishon Tsū)
  2. "Audition (Part 3)" (オーディション③, Ōdishon Surī)
  3. "Meet and Greet" (顔合わせ, Kaoawase)
  4. "Meet and Greet (Part 2)" (顔合わせ②, Kaoawase Ni)
  5. "Roll Camera!" (クランクイン, Kurankuin)
  1. "Yonagi Self-Monitors" (夜凪の俯瞰, Yonagi no Fukan)
  2. "Transformation" (異変, Ihen)
  3. "Chiyoko's Mask" (千世子の仮面, Chiyoko no Kamen)
  4. "Friends" (友達, Tomodachi)
3 August 3, 2018[21]978-4-08-881583-1November 3, 2020 (canceled)[22][23]978-1-9747-0998-4
  1. "Their First Scene Together" (初共演, Hatsu-Kyōen)
  2. "Pillow Fight" (枕投げ, Makuranage)
  3. "Storm" (嵐, Arashi)
  4. "Karen and Keiko" (カレンとケイコ, Karen to Keiko)
  5. "In Profile" (横顔, Yokogao)
  1. "Thank You" (ありがとう, Arigatō)
  2. "Fireworks" (花火, Hanabi)
  3. "Encounter" (遭遇, Sōgū)
  4. "Araya Myoujin" (明神阿良也, Myōjin Araya)
4 November 2, 2018[24]978-4-08-881657-9January 5, 2021 (canceled)[25][23]978-1-9747-1545-9
  1. "Resolve" (覚悟, Kakugo)
  2. "Assignment" (課題, Kadai)
  3. "A New Member" (新メンバー, Shin-Menbā)
  4. "Puppet Show" (人形劇, Ningyōgeki)
  5. "Read-Through" (読み合わせ, Yomiawase)
  1. "How Araya Makes a Role" (阿良也の役作り, Araya no Yakuzukuri)
  2. "My Campanella" (私のカムパネルラ, Watashi no Kamupanerura)
  3. "Nightscape" (夜景, Yakei)
  4. "Acting Instructions" (演技指導, Engi-Shidō)
5 February 4, 2019[26]978-4-08-881694-4March 2, 2021 (canceled)[27][23]978-1-9747-1557-2
  1. "Secret" (秘密, Himitsu)
  2. "Yuujirou Iwao" (巌裕次郎, Iwao Yūjirō)
  3. "Chaos" (混乱, Konran)
  4. "The Curtains Rise" (開演, Kaien)
  5. "Crack" (綻び, Hokorobi)
  1. "The Galactic Railroad" (銀河鉄道, Ginga Tetsudō)
  2. "A New Star" (新星, Shinsei)
  3. "Akira Hoshi" (星アキラ, Hoshi Akira)
  4. "A Proper Play" (正しい芝居, Tadashī Shibai)
6 May 2, 2019[28]978-4-08-881795-8——
  1. "In My Words" (僕の言葉で, Boku no Kotoba de)
  2. "Interlude" (幕間, Makuai)
  3. "Flashback" (回想, Kaisō)
  4. "Araya's Acting" (阿良也の芝居, Araya no Shibai)
  5. "Goodbye" (別れ, Wakare)
  1. "Araya and Iwao" (阿良也と巌, Araya to Iwao)
  2. "Araya and Iwao (Part 2)" (阿良也と巌②, Araya to Iwao Ni)
  3. "How to Stand" (立ち方, Tachikata)
  4. "Curtain Call" (カーテンコール, Kāten Kōru)
7 July 4, 2019[29]978-4-08-881878-8——
  1. "Funeral" (告別式, Kokubetsu-shiki)
  2. "Tragic Heroine" (悲劇のヒロイン, Higeki no Hiroin)
  3. "Normal" (フツー, Futsū)
  4. "The Girl at the Next Desk Over" (隣の席の君, Tonari no Seki no Kimi)
  5. "The Observer" (見学者, Kengakusha)
  1. "Celebrity" (芸能人, Geinōjin)
  2. "You in April" (四月の君, Shigatsu no Kimi)
  3. "Festival Day" (杉北祭当日, Sugikita-sai Tōjitsu)
  4. "That Kind of Normal" (そういう普通, Sōyū Futsū)
8 September 4, 2019[30]978-4-08-882051-4——
  1. "Shinjuku" (新宿)
  2. "Good Proposal" (良い話, Ī Hanashi)
  3. "Declaration of War" (宣戦布告, Sensen Fukoku)
  4. "Encounter" (邂逅, Kaikō)
  5. "Arisa's Condition" (アリサの条件, Arisa no Jōken)
  1. "Top Quality Meat" (極上の肉, Gokujō no Niku)
  2. "Transformation" (変身, Henshin)
  3. "Three Days" (3日間, Mikka-kan)
  4. "The Outside" (外側, Sotogawa)
9 December 4, 2019[31]978-4-08-882103-0——
  1. "Day Two" (2日目, Futsuka-me)
  2. "Effort (努力, Doryoku)
  3. "Aura" (オーラ, Ōra)
  4. "Supporting Role" (助演, Joen)
  5. "Hanako's Picture" (花子の絵, Hanako no E)
  1. "Chance of Victory" (勝機, Shōki)
  2. "Swordplay" (殺陣, Tate)
  3. "Yonagi's Father" (夜凪の怒り, Yonagi no Ikari)
  4. "Press Conferance" (記者会見, Kisha-Kaiken)
10 February 4, 2020[32]978-4-08-882205-1——
  1. "Fourteen Days Left" (残り14日, Nokori Jūyokka)
  2. "Side A" (サイド甲, Saido kō)
  3. "Confession" (告白, Kokuhaku)
  4. "The Important Thing" (大切なのは, Taisetsuna no wa)
  5. "Hero" (ヒーロー, Hīrō)
  1. "The Opening Battle" (開戦, Kaisen)
  2. "Desperation" (必死, Hisshi)
  3. "Expiration Date" (消費期限, Shōhi-Kigen)
  4. "How I'm Defined" (俺の定義, Ore no Teigi)
11 May 13, 2020[33][lower-alpha 1]978-4-08-882284-6——
  1. "In the Ocean" (海の中, Umi no Naka)
  2. "Mirror" (鏡, Kagami)
  3. "For Yonagi" (夜凪のために, Yonagi no Tame ni)
  4. "Reckless" (我武者羅, Gamushara)
  5. "Strong Current" (大きな流れ, Ōkina Nagare)
  1. "Flame" (炎, Honō)
  2. "Identity" (アイデンティティ, Aidentiti)
  3. "Limit" (限界, Genkai)
  4. "Reach" (届け, Todoke)
  5. "Wind" (風, Kaze)
12 July 3, 2020[5]978-4-08-882351-5——
  1. "Winner" (勝者, Shōsha)
  2. "Road Show" (ロードショー, Rōdo Shō)
  3. "GO" (GO, Gō)
  4. "Goal" (狙い, Nerai)
  5. "Weapon" (武器, Buki)
  1. "Trigger" (起爆剤, Kibaku-zai)
  2. "Side B" (サイド乙, Saido Otsu)
  3. "Competition" (勝負, Shōbu)
  4. "After-Party" (打ち上げ, Uchiage)

Chapters not released in tankōbon format

These chapters were not published in a tankōbon volume. They were originally serialized in Japanese in issues of Weekly Shōnen Jump from April to August 2020.

  1. "Star" (スター, Sutā)
  2. "TV Commercial" (テレビ CM, Terebi Shīemu)
  3. "Advertisement" (宣伝, Senden)
  4. "The Real Thing" (本物, Honmono)
  5. "Fame" (有名人, Yūmeijin)
  6. "Ultimate Actor's Dream" (役者冥利, Yakusha-Myōri)
  7. "Ultimate Actor's Dream (Part 2)" (役者冥利②, Yakusha-Myōri Ni)
  8. "Guaranteed Pass" (必勝, Hisshō)
  9. "More" (もっと, Motto)
  10. "Steal" (奪う, Ubau)
  11. "Den of Ogres" (鬼の巣, Oni no Su)
  12. "Actresses" (女優たち, Joyū-tachi)
  13. "Living Together" (共同生活, Kyōdō-Seikatsu)
  14. "Another Step" (また一歩, Mata Ippo)
  15. "Greeting" (挨拶, Aisatsu)
  16. "Poison" (毒, Doku)

Canceled stage play

In June 2020, it was announced the manga would receive a stage play adaptation in 2022 titled Act-Age: Night on the Galactic Railroad (アクタージュ act-age～銀河鉄道の夜～). The play would be produced by Horipro, and directed and written by Shū Matsui. A "remote audition" for the role of the protagonist Kei Yonagi would have been held across Japan.[35][36] On August 11, 2020, after Tatsuya Matsuki's arrest and the manga cancellation, Horipro announced the cancellation of the stage play.[37][38][39]

Reception

As of February 2019, the first five volumes of the manga had 750,000 copies in circulation.[40] As of June 2020, the first eleven volumes of the manga had over 3 million copies in circulation.[41] Volume 5 of the manga ranked 13th on Oricon's weekly manga rankings chart, with 52,319 copies sold.[42]

The series ranked 3rd on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2018".[43] In April 2019, it was nominated for Best Shōnen Manga at the 43nd annual Kodansha Manga Awards.[44] In December 2019, Brutus magazine listed Act-Age on their "Most Dangerous Manga" list, which included works with the most "stimulating" and thought-provoking themes.[45] The series ranked #6 in a poll conducted by AnimeJapan of "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation".[46]

Notes
  1. Volume 11 was delayed from May 1 to May 13 due to COVID-19 concerns.[34]

References
  1. "The Official Website for Act-Age". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  2. Hodkins, Crystalyn (December 3, 2017). "Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine to Launch 2 New Manga in January". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  3. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 10, 2020). "Shueisha Cancels Publication of act-age Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  4. アクタージュ act-age 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  5. アクタージュ act-age 12 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  6. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 8, 2020). "NHK: act-age Story Writer Tatsuya Matsuki Arrested on Suspicion of Committing Indecent Act with Minor (Update 2)". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  7. 少年ジャンプ漫画の原作者逮捕 女子中学生にわいせつ行為疑い. NHK (in Japanese). August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  8. 編集部よりお知らせ. shonenjump.com/j (in Japanese). Shueisha. August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  9. Loo, Egan (August 17, 2020). "act-age Manga Volume Sales Indefinitely Suspended After Writer's Arrest". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  10. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 24, 2020). "act-age Artist Shiro Usazaki Issues Statement on Writer's Arrest, Manga's Cancellation". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  11. 宇佐崎しろがコメント発表、「アクタージュ」を愛するファンへお願い. Natalie (in Japanese). August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  12. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 17, 2020). "act-age Manga Writer Tatsuya Matsuki Formally Indicted for 2nd Indecent Act". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  13. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 23, 2020). "Court Hands Suspended Sentence to act-age Manga Writer Tatsuya Matsuki for Indecent Act". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  14. Ressler, Karen (December 10, 2018). "Viz's Shonen Jump Adds Haikyu!!, Demon Slayer, More to Simulpublishing Lineup". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  15. Rafael Antonio Pineda (January 27, 2019). "Shueisha Launches Free Global MANGA Plus Service". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  16. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 12, 2020). "Viz Media Cancels Publication of act-age Manga's Last Chapter". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  17. Rafael Antonio Pineda (October 4, 2019). "Viz Licenses New Bleach, Naruto, One Piece Novels". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  18. "Act-Age, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  19. アクタージュ act-age 2 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  20. "Act-Age, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  21. アクタージュ act-age 3 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  22. "Act-Age, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  23. "Act-Age Is Canceled". Viz Media. August 17, 2020. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020. Concerning Shueisha’s official statement below, VIZ Media will no longer publish current and future works of Act-Age, including graphic novels and digital volumes, and chapters will be removed from the Shonen Jump digital vault.
  24. アクタージュ act-age 4 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  25. "Act-Age, Vol. 4". Amazon. Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  26. アクタージュ act-age 5 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  27. "Act-Age, Vol. 5". Amazon. Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  28. アクタージュ act-age 6 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  29. アクタージュ act-age 7 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  30. アクタージュ act-age 8 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  31. アクタージュ act-age 9 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  32. アクタージュ act-age 10 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  33. アクタージュ act-age 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  34. Sherman, Jennifer (April 9, 2020). "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Other Jump Manga Delay New Volumes Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus Concerns". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  35. Crystalyn Hodgkins (May 31, 2020). "act-age Manga Gets Stage Play in 2022". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  36. アクタージュ act-age：「ジャンプ」人気マンガが舞台化　ヒロイン夜凪景役のオーディション開催. MANTAN-WEB. June 1, 2020. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  37. 舞台「アクタージュ act-age ～銀河鉄道の夜～」ならびに ヒロイン「夜凪景」役 オーディション中止のお知らせ. HoriPro International. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  38. Harding, Daryl. "Act-Age Stage Play, Night on the Galactic Railroad, Has Been Canceled in Light of the Arrest of Manga Writer". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  39. Loo, Egan (August 11, 2020). "act-age Stage Play Canceled After Manga Writer Tatsuya Matsuki's Arrest". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  40. Sherman, J.; Ressler, K.; Sherman, C. (March 3, 2019). "Roundup of Newly Revealed Print Counts for Manga, Light Novel Series - February 2019 (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  41. 役者漫画『アクタージュ』舞台化で2022年上演 夜凪景役は公募、ホリプロが女優の卵発掘へ. Oricon (in Japanese). June 1, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  42. Loo, Egan (February 14, 2019). "Japanese Comic Ranking, February 4–10". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  43. Ressler, Karen (February 4, 2019). "Japan's Bookstore Employees Rank Top Manga of 2018". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  44. Pineda, Rafael Antonio. "43rd Annual Kodansha Manga Awards' Nominees Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  45. Morrissy, Kim (December 18, 2019). "Spy×Family Included in Brutus Magazine's 'Most Dangerous Manga' of 2019 List". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  46. Loveridge, Lynzee (March 24, 2020). "180,000 Manga Readers Vote for Their Most Wanted Anime Adaptation". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 25, 2020.

Further reading
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