The daunting working condition of animators and mangaka is not a secret, yet the leaks or spoiler culture persists. While our favorite creators are pushing their bodies to meet the weekly deadlines, their work doesn’t get the patience from some viewers that it deserves. Most famous mangaka, from One Piece to Blue Lock, have dedicated days, only for social media pages to leak their chapters before the official release.
In light of how common it has become to come across spoiler threads on the internet, Mengo Yokoyari shared her disappointment with her fans. Yokoyari has been working on the popular manga Oshi No Ko since 2020 along with Aka Akasaka. As the story has reached its final stage in the manga, leaks pose a great risk in affecting the enjoyment and performance of the subsequent chapters.
Mengo Yokoyari Shares Her Disappointment
Yokoyari is fairly active on X (formerly Twitter) and often shares Oshi No Ko-related content. Recently, she made a post to voice her displeasure with the release of spoilers before the chapters are officially published.
本誌推しの子、最近また 早バレ画像がガンガンに上がっている気配を感じる😓気をつけてね💦おすすめにも出てきてしょんぼり
— 横槍メンゴ🐰🎀 (@Yorimen) August 19, 2024
Calling out the unfair practices of leaking spoilers and entire chapters by some people, Yokoyari says that even the platform promotes such content. Making spoiler threads accessible to a wider audience through recommendations. Furthermore, it’s not the first time that the creator has spoken about this issue publicly. Yokoyari has previously made similar posts asking fans not to engage with the spoilers and wait for the official release.
Unfortunately, such pleas are falling on deaf ears as the chapters continue to get leaked. Despite the hard work and grueling hours they spend in their studios, animators and mangaka find themselves at the short end of the stick.
The Discourse Around Leak Culture
Some fans expressed their disdain for the rise in manga leaks in response to Yokoyari’s post. Rightfully stating that as tempting as it is to discuss your favorite manga, spoiling it for others is in no way permissible.
I don't blame her one this one.
— Don Ox (@EliteWaifusByOx) August 20, 2024
As tempting as it is to discuss future chapters it's always best not to spoil the series for everyone who patiently waits for the official release.
It’s crazy cause I don’t even follow the manga or any people who like it on twitter yet l saw a whole thread of unreleased chapter
— TheZkiller (@TheZkiller175) August 20, 2024
Most popular manga are available to read through official channels free of cost. Just like the official release, there’s usually a week long break between the leaks as well. This makes one wonder why can’t fans wait for the official release when there’s a significant difference in the quality as well. Some fans claim that the leakers are sometimes not even fans, they engage in the spoiler culture to garner attention and popularity.
I was looking through a page selling anime figures, and they posted the leak for views. I was so mad.
— Sakuranbo (@TbAzure) August 20, 2024
Even though its Mengo Yokoyari bringing the necessary attention to this issue, its not limited to Oshi No Ko. The recent disaster where several anime episodes from the Fall 2024 line-up were leaked is a testament to how prevalent this problem has become. This culture clearly exists because of an existing widespread demand. When the leaks are so conveniently available, that too before time, supporting the creator becomes a choice. The spoilers floating on the internet jeopardize the experience of those who wait; creating a vicious cycle as a result.
Oshi No Ko is available to read legally for free on MangaPlus app and website.
