Manga Author Who Predicted a July 2025 Disaster Now Says “It’s Not Set in Stone”
Back in April, we covered the eerie story of Watashi ga Mita Mirai (The Future I Saw), a manga by Ryo Tatsuki that went viral for predicting a massive disaster in July 2025. With the date fast approaching, the author has now backtracked, claiming the prediction may have been misunderstood.
Originally published in 1999, the manga is based on Tatsuki’s so-called prophetic dreams. One of those dreams, supposedly published prior to 2011, predicted a major disaster—later associated with the real-world 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Manga Author Who Predicted a July 2025 Disaster Now Says “It’s Not Set in Stone”
Then, in 2021, the manga was re-released in an expanded edition that included a chilling new forecast:
“A massive underwater explosion will occur between Japan and the Philippines on July 5, 2025, triggering a tsunami three times bigger than the one in 2011.”
That’s next week, on a Saturday.
The claim, coming from a respected manga creator, sparked international media attention and even had an impact on tourism. But now, the 70-year-old artist is walking it back.
In her latest autobiographical release, Tenshi no Yuigon (“The Testament of an Angel”), Tatsuki revisits her statements made in Watashi ga Mita Mirai Kanzenban (2021 edition). She now says that the July 5, 2025 date was never meant to be taken literally.
According to Tatsuki, the dream and the date were emphasized by the publisher and may have been taken out of context. “Dreaming of a date doesn’t mean something will happen exactly then,” she explains.
She also admitted that the editorial process may have rushed or dramatized the content, resulting in misunderstanding among readers and media outlets.
Tourism Impact and Book Sales Boom
The prediction gained traction particularly in Hong Kong, where a famous feng shui master echoed the concerns. As a result, travel from Hong Kong to Japan dropped noticeably, even as overall tourism to Japan hit record highs.
Some airlines reportedly cut back on flights to Japan this summer, citing public anxiety over the rumored disaster. Despite—or perhaps because of—the controversy, the manga sold over 1 million copies, including digital editions, and saw major ad placements in Japanese bookstores and trains.
Experts Urge Caution Over “Predictions”
On June 13, Japan Meteorological Agency chief Ryuichi Nomura addressed the prediction in a press briefing. “It’s not scientifically possible to pinpoint the date, location, or magnitude of an earthquake,” he said. He added that such claims should be regarded as rumors and not scientific forecasts.
Still, Nomura used the opportunity to urge the public to review their emergency preparedness: “Japan is a country prone to natural disasters. Staying ready is always wise, regardless of rumors.”
Whether you believe in prophetic dreams or not, one thing is certain: this story highlights how pop culture, fear, and timing can mix into a global phenomenon.
