If you felt like Komi Can’t Communicate ended a little too quickly, you’re not alone. Fans were left scratching their heads, asking themselves why a show that was so great had to conclude so suddenly. But surprise, surprise! We now know why. It seems that Tomohito Oda, the mastermind behind Komi’s adorable, clumsy tale, wanted to get a break from the manga grind to hang out with family, particularly their young child.
And honestly? That’s a decision we should all respect. The manga industry is no joke, with creators often sacrificing their health and their lives just to stay ahead of insane deadlines. So, Oda choosing family over work? That’s the kind of bold move we don’t see often enough.
Komi Can’t Communicate: More than just a cute rom-com
Since its 2016 premiere, Komi Can’t Communicate has been stealing hearts around the globe. The anime is about Komi, a high school student with crippling social anxiety, trying to make 100 friends with the assistance of her classmate Tadano. It’s adorable, it’s hilarious, and it will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt socially awkward (so, like… most of us?).
The 2021 OLM anime adaptation certainly stepped up its game and brought Komi’s struggle (and all the hilarious misunderstandings) to life in stunning animation and with a fantastic voice cast. Fans were totally hooked, and the show really became a modern classic for the slice-of-life genre.
So, after all this success, Oda’s decision to suddenly step away is indeed shocking. However, if you look closely Oda reportedly choosing to take a breather isn’t just about personal choice, but rather a much-needed reminder that mangaka are human beings too.
Fans often expect their favorite creators to jump straight into another project, but sometimes, stepping back is the healthiest thing they can do. Manga creators aren’t just making cool characters and coming up with neat concepts, these guys actually put in the work. The job is infamous for its ridiculously long hours, little sleep, and crazy amounts of pressure to continue churning out new content.
“Komi Can’t Communicate” creator Oda Tomohito revealed that he has no concrete plans to work on a new manga yet even though he still wants to continue drawing in the future.
For now he wants to focus on raising his child.
The final “Komi” manga volume 37 including a special… pic.twitter.com/9CFc0r4z6O
— Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News) (@MangaMoguraRE) March 17, 2025
Just ask legends such as Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter x Hunter), who has had some serious health complications because he worked too hard, or the late Kentaro Miura (Berserk), whose tragic passing was deeply felt throughout the industry.
Oda’s action may be a small step, but it actually sends a big message. If more mangaka feel empowered to prioritize their well-being over relentless work schedules, we might see a shift in the industry’s culture. And let’s be real, if that means fewer rushed endings and more well-rested creators putting out high-quality stories, isn’t that a win for everyone?
So what’s next for Oda and Komi fans?
For Komi Can’t Communicate enthusiasts, the news may be bittersweet. Although there won’t be a new Oda series out any time in the near future, the reason might be that Oda only takes breaks to come back again with fresh zeal and new ideas.
Meanwhile, however, there’s all that Komi material to jump back into. The anime and manga still need to be re-read and re-watched for those lovable moments and laugh-out-loud misunderstandings.
So hey, rather than being sad about Komi’s ending, let’s just be grateful for what we have and tip our hat to Tomohito Oda for prioritizing family. That’s not exactly something you’d typically find in an industry that’s prone to demanding creators sacrifice everything for the sake of their work.
Let’s hope this will inspire other mangaka to do the right thing, whether that means creating more stories or simply taking a well-deserved break.
Komi Can’t Communicate is currently available to watch on Netflix and the manga is available to read in Viz Media.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
