Yukiko Nozawa on Maternity Leave — What It Means for The 100 Girlfriends Manga, English Releases, and the Anime
The artist Yukiko Nozawa has announced she is taking maternity leave following the birth of her child, and as a result the serialization pace of The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You (Kimi no koto ga Dai Dai Dai Dai Daisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo) manga will slow down. Fans of the series — whether you follow the Japanese releases, collect the English volumes, or watch the anime adaptation — will feel the ripple effects of this temporary pause. Below we break down what changed, how release schedules are affected, and what readers can expect in the months ahead.
What Happened: Nozawa’s Maternity Leave and Serialization Slowdown
Yukiko Nozawa confirmed on her social account that she’s stepped away briefly to care for her newborn. Creators’ maternity/paternity leaves are increasingly common and necessary, and while they understandably affect serialization schedules, they’re also important for the long-term health and creativity of the author. In practical terms, a slowdown in serialization means fewer chapters per magazine issue or longer gaps between chapters until Nozawa returns to regular work.
Why the slowdown matters
Weekly or monthly manga schedules are tightly planned. Slower output can change chapter pacing, postpone collected-volume (tankōbon) compilation, and delay supplemental projects tied to the manga (spin-offs, special illustrations, etc.). However, a temporary slowdown rarely means cancellation — publishers typically accommodate necessary breaks for creators, and many hit series return to normal pacing after a recovery period.
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Impact on Release Schedule and English Volumes
For collectors and English-language readers, release schedules can be the most visible sign of changes. Seven Seas Entertainment handles the English print release of the manga. As of recent announcements, Seven Seas planned English releases for volume 17 on March 17 and volume 18 on June 23, 2026. These volume release dates are tied to compiled chapters; if serialization in Japan slows enough to affect the number of chapters available for compilation, publishers may adjust future dates accordingly.
If you pre-order or plan purchases, keep an eye on official pages and retailer listings for any updated ship dates. For convenience, here are two helpful official resources you can check for the latest volume listings and pre-order information:
Will English releases be delayed?
Short-term, the already-announced English release dates are likely to remain intact if there are sufficient compiled chapters ready for print. Long-term, if the manga’s chapter output slows for several months, tankōbon frequency could shift. Publisher statements typically clarify this; if you rely on a collector’s schedule, follow official publisher updates rather than speculation.
Anime Adaptation: Seasons 1–2 Recap and Season 3 Outlook
The manga’s popularity spawned a television anime adaptation that first aired in October 2023, with a second season premiering in January 2025. Both seasons were streamed by Crunchyroll as they aired in Japan. An upcoming third season has been announced and is scheduled to premiere in 2026. Importantly, anime production schedules are usually planned far in advance, so Nozawa’s temporary break from manga work should not automatically cancel or delay the anime’s third season — anime studios often work from completed source material and production timelines that differ from manga serialization rhythm.
How the manga hiatus could still affect the anime
There are a few indirect effects to watch for:
- If the anime studio plans original scenes, future arcs, or extended material requiring close author supervision, Nozawa’s availability could influence those creative decisions.
- If the anime’s later seasons rely on newly serialized material not yet available, the studio might adapt older arcs, create original content, or adjust the pacing of episodes.
For the latest official anime scheduling and streaming details, rely on the studio’s announcements and Crunchyroll’s release pages rather than third-party speculation.
What Fans Can Expect During the Hiatus
When a manga artist takes maternity leave, typical fan-facing outcomes include:
- Shorter or less frequent chapters for a period.
- Publisher updates about the author’s return schedule or changes to serialization timing.
- Potential for special chapters or collected extras released once the author resumes work, as a way to catch up on story pacing.
During the break, fans can re-read earlier arcs, support official releases by purchasing volumes or licensed merchandise, and follow official social channels for status updates. Translators, localization teams, and print publishers will also coordinate to keep English releases as smooth as possible, but they’ll follow official word from Nozawa and the Japanese publisher on exact timing.
Advice for new readers and collectors
If you’re new to the series, now can be a good time to start: with multiple anime seasons and a steady run of collected volumes already available, there’s plenty of content to enjoy. Collectors should verify pre-order dates and shipping windows with their retailers and keep watch on publisher announcements for any schedule changes.
Final thoughts
Yukiko Nozawa’s maternity leave is a joyful personal milestone and a reminder that creators are people whose lives and health matter. While a temporary slowdown in serialization can cause short-term scheduling shifts, it doesn’t spell the end for The 100 Girlfriends series — the publisher, English licensors, and anime partners have strong incentives to support the franchise through this pause. Fans can show support by buying official releases, following the author and publisher for updates, and exercising patience as the creative team balances work and family life. We’ll keep an eye on official channels for any changes to release dates and will report confirmed updates as they arrive.
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