Bizarre Manga-Inspired Prediction Spurs Travel Hesitation to Japan
Almost empty flight to Tokyo and manga artist Ryo Tatsuki (Images Social Media)
Empty flights, social media buzz, and fear-driven cancellations ahead of July 5 ‘vision’
By S JHA
MUMBAI, July 4, 2025 — An unusual prediction made decades ago by a Japanese manga artist has unexpectedly sparked a wave of fear, social media debate, and even travel disruptions, as the date of the so-called “disaster prophecy” — July 5 — draws near.
Swedish journalist Johan Nylander, writing on LinkedIn, shared that his recent flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo was “almost empty,” with tickets priced as low as 630 HKD (approx. $75 USD) — a rare fare for peak summer travel. The reason? A sudden surge in anxiety surrounding an old prophecy by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, who in her 1999 self-published book claimed to have visions of catastrophic events. One such prediction, now going viral online, states:
“On July 5, 2025, the ocean floor between Japan and the Philippines will crack. Huge waves will rise in all directions.”
Nylander noted that “several of my local friends in Hong Kong tell me they are not going to Japan this summer because of the prediction,” adding with dry humour, “Maybe this is my last post. Kanpai!”
While the claim might sound like a storyline from an anime or disaster film, it has gained surprising traction online — particularly in parts of East Asia, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia. Many are sharing clips of past Ryo Tatsuki “visions” that they claim came true, such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the death of certain public figures.
The manga artist herself has largely remained out of the public eye, with no recent interviews. Her prophecies, often scribbled in a casual, dream-diary format, have resurfaced on Japanese Twitter (X), TikTok, and Chinese social media platform Weibo, sparking both mockery and anxiety.
Empty Flights and Cautious Travellers
Airline industry insiders say there’s been a noticeable decline in regional flight bookings to Japan for early July, especially among superstitious or risk-averse tourists from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Some travel agencies in Hong Kong have reportedly received cancellations citing “unusual seismic concerns” for early July.
“This is the first time I’ve seen a travel scare driven entirely by manga,” said Edo Naito, a Tokyo-based geopolitics commentator, responding to Nylander’s post. “So now the world moves on a manga forecast — how utterly bizarre.”
Japan’s Meteorological Agency and seismologists have not issued any warnings beyond the usual earthquake monitoring bulletins. No scientific data currently supports any imminent seismic activity between Japan and the Philippines on July 5.
Still, the buzz has been enough to cause speculative articles, memes, and even “apocalypse parties” planned by pranksters in Tokyo and Osaka.
Panic or Pop Culture?
Experts say the incident reveals how modern fears can be amplified by a mix of nostalgia, viral storytelling, and social media algorithms.
They claimed that the buzz is less about belief and more about how pop culture narratives can blend into reality. Media reports quoted Keiko Matsumura, a sociologist at Waseda University, saying: “People are both mocking and fearing the same thing — and that’s a very 21st-century paradox.”
With just a day left until the prophesied date, most Japanese citizens are going about their lives as usual. But the curious case of the empty flights, bizarre predictions, and widespread online chatter has already added an unexpected — and somewhat surreal — footnote to Japan’s summer tourism season.
For now, the country waits, with equal parts amusement and wariness. And should nothing happen, Ryo Tatsuki’s July 5 vision may simply fade back into the archives of curious manga lore — until the next prophecy resurfaces.
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