The Unlikely Return of a Forgotten Manga's Ominous Prophecy

An obscure 1999 manga titled "The Future I Saw" has suddenly resurfaced in Japanese public consciousness. Author Ryo Tatsuki's work, which chronicles her supposed prophetic dreams, now finds itself at the center of growing alarm about a predicted catastrophe in July 2025.

From Forgotten Pages to Viral Panic

The manga's original cover featured Tatsuki's avatar surrounded by postcards depicting various visions - including one eerily labeled "March 2011: A Great Disaster." After the actual 2011 earthquake and tsunami, collectors scrambled for the long-out-of-print volumes, driving prices through the roof. The 2021 "Complete Edition" added fuel to the fire by predicting an even larger disaster for July 2025 - specifically a tsunami three times worse than 2011's tragedy.

The Tourism Ripple Effect

The renewed attention appears to be impacting travel plans, particularly from Hong Kong where the manga has an official translation. Some airlines have adjusted their Japan routes, with Hong Kong Airlines completely suspending Sendai flights and Greater Bay Airlines reducing service to Sendai and Tokushima. While Miyagi's governor dismisses these fears as "unscientific," the hype has undoubtedly affected certain markets.

When Fiction Blurs With Reality

The timing couldn't be more dramatic - the manga's resurgence coincides with the June 27 theatrical release of horror film "July 5 2025, 4:18 AM," which incorporates Tatsuki's predictions. Unfortunately, some social media posts have conflated the movie's title date with Tatsuki's unspecified July timeframe, prompting publisher Asuka Shinsha to issue clarifying statements.

The Science Behind the Fear

While Tatsuki's prediction lacks scientific basis, it taps into legitimate concerns. Seismologists estimate a 70-80% chance of a devastating Nankai Trough earthquake within 30 years, with government projections suggesting potential casualties reaching 300,000. The Japan Meteorological Agency maintains that precise earthquake prediction remains impossible, labeling such claims as "hoaxes."

As the debate continues, Tatsuki herself has urged moderation, encouraging readers to "act appropriately based on expert opinions" rather than fixate on her manga's predictions. Yet with over 1 million copies sold of the Complete Edition, her work continues to spark conversations about disaster preparedness in one of the world's most seismically active nations.