The Rising Fear in Japan: When Manga Meets Real Disasters
Japan is currently experiencing a surge in public anxiety as a viral manga prophecy predicting a catastrophic event in July 2025 coincides unsettlingly with a series of real earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This convergence has sparked widespread concern, leading to a significant slump in tourism and mounting unease among residents and visitors alike.
Seismic Unrest Amplifies Worries
In just the last five days, the remote Tokara Islands have been shaken by over 330 earthquakes. Meanwhile, Mount Shinmoe in Kyushu erupted violently, spewing ash approximately 500 meters high. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has elevated the alert level for the volcano to Level 3, urging people to keep their distance for safety. This natural volatility has only deepened national concerns.
The Manga Prophecy Fueling Public Anxiety
The roots of this anxiety trace back to The Future I Saw, a cult-favorite manga from 1999 by Ryo Tatsuki. Fans credit this work with having eerily foretold the 2011 earthquake and resulting tsunami. Its 2021 reprint ominously warned of a "real disaster" set for July 2025. As this month approaches, and with the uptick in seismic activity, the manga has gone viral once again, dominating conversations across social media and online forums.
Tourism Takes a Hard Hit
The fallout from this fear is tangible. Tourist bookings from major markets such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea have plummeted by as much as 83%. Airlines including Hong Kong Airlines have reduced flights to Japan, while travel agencies report cancellation rates soaring up to 50%. The combination of natural events and folklore has pressed pause on what is usually a bustling travel season.
Scientific Voices Urge Calm and Preparedness
Despite the growing panic, seismologists and the Japan Meteorological Agency have dismissed any scientific link between the manga’s warnings and recent seismic events. Experts emphasize that earthquake prediction remains scientifically impossible with precise timing and location. Instead, they encourage citizens to focus on preparedness rather than fear.
Between Fact and Folklore: A Nation on Edge
Ryo Tatsuki, often referred to as "Japan’s Baba Vanga," draws attention for her dream-inspired visions and symbolic language, including phrases such as "oceans boiling" and "undersea rupture." Though lacking empirical support, these evocative predictions resonate deeply in a country already on edge due to natural phenomena.
As July 2025 draws near, Japan finds itself at a delicate crossroads where fact and folklore intertwine, with the nation watching anxiously amid ongoing tremors and volcanic unrest.
