Jun Maeda, whose works have moved countless people to tears, has been diagnosed with throat cancer: Bilibili’s Youxing is publishing his game

Today (the 19th), Jun Maeda, a renowned Japanese game concept creator and music composer, was diagnosed with throat cancer. Key, the company to which Jun Maeda belongs, issued a statement saying that he had been experiencing throat discomfort since early spring of this year, and that the swelling and pain became more pronounced as summer approached. He was diagnosed following a thorough medical examination.

The announcement stated that, after repeated and careful consideration of his medical condition and treatment prospects, Jun Maeda has chosen not to undergo active treatment and will instead focus on palliative care. The announcement also revealed that Jun Maeda is currently hospitalized and that “he still strongly hopes to continue creating until the very end.”

Content leading up to the conclusion of Chapter 6 of *Blazing Sky* has already been prepared.

“Heaven Burns Red” is a game into which Jun Maeda has poured a great deal of effort in recent years; it was named “Best Game of 2022” on Google Play Japan and has repeatedly topped the Japanese best-seller charts.

According to the announcement, all portions of the main storyline for *Blazing Sky* up to the first part of Chapter 6 that were handled by Jun Maeda have been completed. The lyrics and composition for the songs in the first part of Chapter 6 have also been completed. Regarding the storyline and songs beyond the aforementioned sections, “depending on how his condition progresses, Mr. Maeda himself may not be able to continue participating.”

In addition, Jun Maeda had originally planned to produce songs as part of a new project and maintain a long-term presence on YouTube. The announcement stated that, following his diagnosis, “considering that the time available for creative work may be limited,” the plan was adjusted to complete the songs currently in development as quickly as possible; in accordance with his strong wishes, these songs will be released on YouTube in the coming months.

Bilibili and Youxing are both publishers of *Blazing Sky*

“Blazing Sky” is directly linked to two Chinese companies.

The Chinese version of *Blazing Sky* is published by Bilibili Games and launched in 2024, with a TapTap rating of 8.2. Currently, the main story in the Chinese version has been updated to the second half of Chapter 5, and a collaboration event with *Persona 5 Royal* has been underway since October 8.

The English version of the game, published by YooStar, launched in November 2024, covering more than 50 countries and regions across the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and kicked off its P5R collaboration on October 8—the same day as the Chinese server.

For the two Chinese developers, Jun Maeda is not only the game’s biggest “draw” but also the core contributor to its content pipeline, responsible for the original concept, main storyline, and music production.While this announcement clarifies the content reserves available before the conclusion of Chapter 6, it does not provide an alternative plan regarding who will write the story after Chapter 6 or the pace at which subsequent content will be released, leaving uncertainty regarding the long-term content supply for the game’s ongoing operation.

“The Great Demon King” and Chinese Players’ Memories of Key

Born in 1975, Jun Maeda is one of the founding members of Key and serves as a screenwriter, lyricist, and composer. He has contributed to the screenplays and music for Key’s landmark works, including *Kanon*, *AIR*, *CLANNAD*, and *Little Busters!*.

CLANNAD

For Chinese gamers, Key’s works represent a generation’s introduction to “tear-jerking” stories. The animated adaptation of *CLANNAD* continues to attract high view counts on Bilibili, and the saying “written as CLANNAD, read as life” has been circulating in gaming communities for years.“Bird’s Poem,” with lyrics and music by Jun Maeda, is regarded by many fans as an iconic piece of ACG music. Fans in the Chinese-speaking community often refer to this screenwriter—known for his tear-jerking stories—as the “Great Demon King.”