The manga adaptation of Sato’s light novel series, “The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale”, has been canceled. The announcement came from Shogakukan’s Manga ONE app on December 20, 2024, stating that the series would not resume serialization. This news has disappointed many fans who were eagerly awaiting the continuation of the story.
Cancellation Details
The manga, illustrated by Suzuka Oda, originally launched on Shogakukan’s Manga ONE app and Ura Sunday website in January 2021. The last chapter was posted in May 2023, before the series went on hiatus. Despite Oda’s efforts to resume the manga, discussions with Sato and the editorial team led to the decision to cancel the series due to “various circumstances.”
In a blog post dated December 30, 2024, Oda expressed her disappointment with the decision, stating that she had a “strong desire to finish the series.” She also extended gratitude to Sato, the Manga ONE editors, and all the readers who supported her work. Despite the cancellation, Oda confirmed that digital copies of the manga’s four compiled volumes will remain available for purchase and will be added to the Manga ONE’s free daily section.
Reasons for Cancellation
The exact “various circumstances” leading to the cancellation have not been fully disclosed. However, it is evident that the decision was made after multiple discussions between Oda and Sato, suggesting that creative differences, scheduling conflicts, or other production-related challenges may have contributed to this outcome. The management staff of Manga ONE indicated that while Oda had been preparing to resume the manga, the parties involved could not agree on a path forward.
About the Manga and Light Novel
“The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale” tells the story of a lonely woman in her thirties who is reincarnated as Leysritt Von Lotus, a young noble lady. Leysritt finds herself in a world that mirrors the stories she read in her past life, realizing that she might not be the protagonist but the villainess of the tale. Instead of focusing on typical noble matters, she uses her nursing skills to overcome various obstacles.
The manga is an adaptation of the light novel series by Sato. The manga was licensed and distributed digitally in English by Comikey. The story blends elements of romance, comedy, and medicine, making it a unique entry in the isekai genre.
Manga’s Publication History
The manga was serialized on Shogakukan’s Manga ONE app and Ura Sunday website starting in January 2021.
- The first compiled volume was released in May 2021.
- The fourth and final volume was released in June 2023.
- The manga went on hiatus after May 2023.
Suzuka Oda’s Career
Suzuka Oda is a Japanese manga artist who made her debut in 2008. She is known for her work on various doujinshis and the manga adaptation of “Psychic Detective Yakumo”, a light novel by Manabu Kaminaga. In addition to “The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale”, Oda has also contributed to other works such as:
- Bishōnen Tanteidan (manga): Story & Art
- Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic: Episode of Savanaclaw (manga): Story & Art
- Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga – Book of Savanaclaw, Vol. 1
Oda’s Other works:
- Psychic Detective Yakumo, which is published in France by Panini.
Her diverse portfolio showcases her versatility as a manga artist, with a particular focus on adapting stories from other mediums.
Impact on the Fanbase
The cancellation of “The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale” has been met with disappointment from fans. Many readers had praised the manga for its unique blend of genres, strong female lead, and engaging storyline. The abrupt end of the series is particularly disheartening, as it leaves many plot threads unresolved.
The manga’s popularity was evident in online forums and communities, with many readers expressing their enjoyment of the series. Fans on platforms like Reddit had praised the manga’s combination of medicine, romance, a strong female lead, and comedy. The cancellation is a setback for fans who were invested in the story and were looking forward to future developments.
Despite the cancellation, the availability of digital copies of the four volumes provides fans with the opportunity to revisit the story. The addition of the manga to Manga ONE’s daily free section will also allow new readers to discover Oda’s work.
What’s Next?
While the manga adaptation of “The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale” has concluded, fans can still experience the original light novel series by Sato. Suzuka Oda continues to be an active manga artist with other ongoing projects, and her previous works remain available for readers to enjoy. The cancellation of “The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale” serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of manga publishing and the various factors that can impact the life cycle of a series.