Black Lagoon Creator Opens Up About 15-Year Struggle With Depression

Rei Hiroe, the creator of Black Lagoon, has opened up about his 15-year struggle with depression and how it has impacted his ability to work on the manga. Despite the series’ popularity, Hiroe’s mental health made it increasingly difficult to continue, leading to extended hiatuses since 2010.

In a recent interview with Comic Natalie, Hiroe discussed the toll that depression has taken on his creative process, particularly during the Roberta’s Revenge arc, the longest and most intricate storyline in Black Lagoon. Although he considered it some of his best work, mixed reader reactions and the passing of his father after repeated hospitalizations deeply affected him.

Black Lagoon Creator Opens Up About 15-Year Struggle With Depression

Hiroe admitted that he initially didn’t realize the emotional impact of losing his father. However, over time, the grief and stress from the manga’s production took a heavy toll. He described how, even when he wanted to work, his hands simply wouldn’t move.

His appearances at anime events and involvement in Black Lagoon spin-off illustrations led to misconceptions about his condition.

“People see me at events and assume I’m fine. But my struggle wasn’t about doing everything—it was about being unable to sit and draw manga,” Hiroe explained. He also emphasized that medication is essential to his daily life: “If I forget to take it, I can’t sleep, and my mood crashes.”

Now, Hiroe has found a way to balance his health and work. With the support of his editor, Akinobu Natsume, he has opted for an irregular serialization schedule, free from strict deadlines. For Hiroe, maintaining this stability is crucial to sustaining his career without compromising his well-being.

via Comic Natalie