The manga series No\Name, a collaborative work by Rafal Jaki, the creator of the acclaimed Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime, and artist MACHINE GAMU, has been canceled. The series will officially conclude with Chapter 14, scheduled for release next week. This news comes as a disappointment to fans who were drawn to the series’ unique premise and the creative team’s established reputations.
A Promising Start Cut Short
No\Name held the distinction of being the first manga series fully created by an overseas (non-Japanese) team to be serialized under Shueisha, the renowned Japanese publishing company. The manga’s journey began within the Manga Plus Creators project by Shueisha, where it received the prestigious Gold Award in the September 2023 Monthly Awards. This recognition paved the way for its serialization on Shonen Jump+ in July 2024, marking a significant milestone for the creators. The first two chapters were released simultaneously, with subsequent chapters following a bi-weekly schedule. In addition to the digital release, the series also received a physical publication under the Jump Comics imprint in Japan. A second volume was slated to be released.
The manga is set in a world where names directly influence a person’s abilities. It follows agents Ralf Olsen and Ursula from the Nordic Naming Bureau (NNB). The NNB is responsible for overseeing name givers, and handles cases involving individuals whose names grant them supernatural powers. The series’ initial storyline focused on the agents investigating a man whose wife and son had gone missing, a mystery that escalates when the agents discover the man’s dangerous intention of giving his son the same powerful name as his own. This unique premise, combining action, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, resonated with many readers.
The Creators Behind No\Name
The creative duo behind No\Name brought a wealth of experience to the project. Rafal Jaki is well-known for his role as the showrunner and executive producer of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. He also has writing credits on projects such as Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher: Ronin. MACHINE GAMU, the artist behind the manga, is recognized for their distinctive black-and-white, fine-shaded drawings. They have previously worked on projects like Madland, a 96-page manga. Gamu’s work is characterized by a dark tone and multi-faceted style.
Reasons for Cancellation
Rafal Jaki made the announcement of the manga’s cancellation on X, formerly known as Twitter. He expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and mentioned that he and MACHINE GAMU are already working on a new series. Jaki explained the cancellation, stating that the “harsh reality of JUMP+ is that if you don’t have a hit you get canceled.” He also clarified that they had planned 360 pages for the first arc, indicating that the series had not reached its intended conclusion. MACHINE GAMU also posted a special illustration to thank the fans for their support.
The cancellation highlights the competitive nature of the manga industry, particularly on platforms like Shonen Jump+, where only the most popular series tend to survive. Some readers have commented on the manga’s pacing, noting a breakneck speed that made it difficult to connect with the characters or the world. There were also criticisms regarding the explanations of complex entities, powers, and characters. These factors might have contributed to the series not achieving the popularity needed to avoid cancellation.
Fan and Critical Reception
While No\Name garnered attention for its unique premise and the creators’ backgrounds, it also faced mixed reviews. Some readers praised the art style and the intriguing world-building, while others found the plot confusing and the characters underdeveloped. The series was noted for its dark action mystery elements set in Northern Europe. Some readers felt that despite the interesting concept of names granting powers, the execution lacked a compelling story and character development.
The manga aimed to tell the story of two special agents who are members of the Nordic Naming Bureau, an organization that handles cases relating to people’s names. The agents, Ralf and Ursula, were meant to delve into a world where names have power. Despite the ambition and the experienced team, the series did not find the audience it needed to continue.
A Look at the Manga Plus Creators Project
The Manga Plus Creators project by Shueisha is a platform that encourages overseas creators to submit their manga. The project hosts monthly awards, offering cash prizes and opportunities for publication on MANGA Plus and Shonen Jump+. No\Name’s journey from award-winning one-shot to serialized manga demonstrates the potential for international creators to break into the Japanese manga industry through this project. The project is run directly by the editorial department in Japan. It serves as a launching pad for talent outside of Japan.
Despite the cancellation, No\Name represents a significant step forward for the manga industry, demonstrating that a non-Japanese team can achieve serialization in a major Japanese publication like Shonen Jump. The creators’ willingness to push creative boundaries and tell unique stories contributes to the continued global appeal of manga.
What’s Next
Although No\Name is ending prematurely, the creators have indicated that they are already working on a new series. This news gives fans hope that Jaki and MACHINE GAMU’s creative partnership will continue to produce innovative and engaging stories in the future.
The final chapter of No\Name will be released on February 4, 2025, marking the end of this short but significant manga series. The cancellation, while disappointing, serves as a reminder of the challenges and competitive nature of the manga industry. However, No\Name’s legacy as the first manga by an overseas team to be serialized in Shonen Jump will continue to be a notable achievement in the history of the medium. The series will end with 14 chapters in total.
