In a recent joint statement posted on X, it was announced that the manga I Want To Make the Losing Heroine Win!! (Make Heroine wo Katasetai!!; unofficial translation) will be discontinuing serialization and publication with their current publisher. Author Michiru Nakayama and manga artist Tatsuwaipu have said that the decision was reached as “it became difficult to build a relationship of trust.”
“I Want To Make the Losing Heroine Win!! was serialized in Akita Shoten’s web manga publication Champion Cross (formerly Manga Cross). With the first chapter published in summer 2025, the manga will be published independently starting January 2027. Regarding the circumstances, Nakayama and Tatsuwaipu have cited the root of the problem to be a slew of editorial issues with Akita Shoten.
According to Tatsuwaipu, frequent delays in storyboard and cover art design confirmations repeatedly hindered the work process. There were also cases where the publication flat out submitted cover designs and illustrations that were different from what Tatsuwaipu initially pitched. Meetings were describedas “non-functional”, often leaving the co-creators to handle the manga’s production by themselves.
Issues further compounded as these concerns were raised to the former editor and editor-in-chief, only for communication to not improve even after repeated requests. Things came to a head when Nakayama and Tatsuwaipu had the sales figure for the first volume of the manga withheld from them, despite initially told that performances were “great.” In truth, initial sales for the first volume were not strong enough to be considered a hit and the series’ continuation beyond volume 5 hinged entirely on the sales of volume 2.
Nakayama and Tatsuwaipu have also said that “after the current publication contract ends at the end of the year, we will resume serialization with web manga distribution service Number Nine starting January 2027.” Other manga runs by Tatsuwaipu on Akita Shoten have also been affected, as the post explained that the mangas Hagure Yūsha no Isekai Bible and Tamamori’s Fantasies Never Stop will be ending distribution via Champion Cross. Tatsuwaipu clarified in a follow-up post that “this does not mean we will be transferring to the Number Nine editorial department and resuming as a commercial serialization. ”
According to a J-CAST News coverage, Akita Shoten have acknowledged and confirmed the suspension of the manga’s publication, but did not disclose the circumstances.
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