When a reader complained about the protagonist’s chest size in the manga ‘Genkai Dokushin Joshi (26) Gohan,’ mangaka Ryou Matoba didn’t hold back.
The artist publicly responded on social media telling the critic to meet him on the rooftop to settle the matter, making his position crystal clear: he draws what he likes, and that’s that.
The controversy started when someone left a comment criticizing the physical proportions of Hiiragi-san, the series’ protagonist.
The reader stated the heroine’s chest was unnecessarily large. Most creators might brush off such criticism or respond diplomatically, but Matoba chose violence, metaphorically speaking, of course.
Artist doubled down on creative vision
While promoting the fourth volume of the manga, Matoba took the opportunity to address the complaint head-on.
But here’s the kicker: he revealed that he originally intended to make the chest even larger. The current design? That’s already the toned-down version. Talk about artistic integrity.
The mangaka made it abundantly clear that these proportions aren’t accidental or careless, they’re deliberate choices. He likes drawing characters this way, period. No apologies, no explanations beyond personal preference.
Community rallies behind creator
The response wasn’t all negative. Matoba’s stance generated strong support from fans and even fellow manga artists, with many arguing there’s nothing wrong with drawing characters with large chests if that’s what the creator enjoys.
The manga community, known for its diverse art styles and character designs, largely sided with the artist’s freedom to create as he sees fit.
‘Genkai Dokushin Joshi (26) Gohan’ follows Hiiragi, a 26-year-old single woman exhausted from work and life who still manages to find comfort in food despite her depression.
The series has been running since March 2023 in Comic Flapper, and clearly, Matoba isn’t backing down from his creative choices anytime soon.
So, what’s your take on this? Should mangaka compromise their artistic vision based on reader feedback, or is creative freedom sacred? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, preferably without challenging anyone to a rooftop brawl.