Manga Maestro Ken Akamatsu to Skip Comiket Duties While Serving as Vice Minister

Manga Maestro Ken Akamatsu to Skip Comiket Duties While Serving as Vice Minister

In a decision that's resonating across the manga and fan communities, renowned creator and current parliamentary vice minister Ken Akamatsu has announced he will not be attending Comiket while serving in his government role.

A Tale of Two Worlds: Creator and Bureaucrat

Akamatsu—best known for beloved series like Love Hina, Negima!, and UQ Holder!—has held a seat in Japan’s House of Councillors since 2022, and was appointed the parliamentary vice minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology earlier this year. While his election thrilled manga fans, this new development reflects the challenging path of balancing creative expression with public office.

In a heartfelt statement, Akamatsu said that stepping away from the annual comic fair was a necessary choice. “As a deputy minister, I must uphold focus and impartiality in my public duties,” he explained, recognizing how Comiket, even as a treasured cultural event, occupies a space that conflicts with his current responsibilities.

Comiket’s Significance and His Legacy

Comiket—the world’s largest gathering for manga creators and fans—is more than a convention; it’s a cultural institution where doujinshi creators, many of whom began their careers there, connect, showcase their work, and celebrate the power of self-publishing. Akamatsu himself rose to fame in that community, later earning a reputation as a powerful advocate for creative freedoms and the rights of creators.

This announcement, while bittersweet for fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the manga legend in person, underscores the complexity of dual roles: public servant and creative heavyweight.

Looking Ahead

For now, fans will need to admire Akamatsu’s contributions in other ways—through his policymaking, advocacy for manga creators, and the ripples his absence may create at Comiket.

Regardless, this move cements his commitment to the responsibilities of his government post, even at the cost of stepping away from one of the most meaningful events in Japanese pop culture.