Idol series creator to rest, continue manga within the year

Manga creator Ai announced on her Twitter account on Wednesday that her Million Doll manga is going on indefinite hiatus. The series' 68th chapter debuted for premium members on Comic Smart's free manga website Ganma! on Wednesday.

Ai said that over the past few months her mind and body have been worn down. During the hiatus, Ai plans to look over the series and spend time so that she can present the manga in its mature form.

The creator plans to improve her physical condition and circumstances and then continue the series within the year. Ai will maintain her responsibilities and continue to gather information for her work during the break. She plans to utilize the time and practice little by little in a way that she can only do now that the series is on hiatus. Ai apologized to fans and asked them for support.

Ai's original Million Doll manga revolves around Sūko, an idol-loving hikikomori (shut-in) who has one ability: To make any idol popular through the power of blogging. She puts her sights on the Fukuoka idol Itorio and tries to make her sell more, but she is impeded by the charismatic idol Ryūsan and the underground idol Mariko. The author of the manga is an idol otaku herself.

The manga debuted on Ganma! in 2013, and Earth Star Entertainment released the second compiled book volume in June.

A television anime adaptation of Ai's series debuted in Japan on July 6, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs. Asahi Production is animating the 12-episode series. Keiichiro Kawaguchi (Hayate the Combat Butler, Zettai Karen Children, Sket Dance) is directing off scripts by Momoko Murakami (Magical Warfare, Muromi-san, Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream).

[Via Yaraon!]