On July 5, 2025, a volcano called Mount Shinmoedake in southern Japan erupted, sending ash high into the sky and causing over 900 small earthquakes. This big event has people talking not just because of the ash and shaking, but because a 25-year-old comic book, called Mega Disaster by Ryo Tatsuki, seemed to predict it would happen on this exact day. As towns get covered in ash, flights are canceled, and people are told to stay inside, this strange connection between a manga and real life has everyone nervous and curious.
The Volcano Wakes Up
Mount Shinmoedake, located in Kagoshima Prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, erupted early on July 5, 2025. It shot out a huge cloud of ash and gas, reaching 3,000 meters (almost 2 miles) high. Nearby towns like Kirishima and Miyazaki are now covered in ash, making it hard to breathe and see. The eruption also caused hundreds of small earthquakes, including a bigger one that measured 5.5 on the Richter scale. Japan’s weather agency warned people to stay away from the volcano and raised the alert level, telling those living close by to leave their homes for safety.
The eruption has caused a lot of trouble. Farmers can’t grow crops because ash is covering their fields. The air is unhealthy to breathe, especially for older people or those with breathing problems. Airlines have stopped flights to and from Kagoshima Airport, leaving travelers stuck. On social media, people are sharing photos of grey skies and ash-covered streets, saying it feels like something from a scary movie.
A Manga That Saw the Future?
What makes this eruption extra spooky is its link to Mega Disaster, a manga written by Ryo Tatsuki in 2000. The comic predicted a big volcano eruption and earthquake in southern Japan on July 5, 2025—exactly what’s happening now. Recently, people on social media, especially on X, started noticing this and shared posts calling the manga “scarily accurate.” Some even compared it to predictions by famous fortune-tellers like Baba Vanga.
In the manga, towns are shown covered in ash, and earthquakes shake the ground, just like what’s happening today. While the story is made-up, Japan is known for its active volcanoes and earthquakes, so the prediction wasn’t totally out of the blue. Still, the timing has people amazed. Bookstores are selling out of Mega Disaster copies, and fans online are calling Tatsuki a genius. Some even wonder if he knew something special or just got lucky.
Scientists, like Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka from Tokyo University, say it’s not really a prediction. Japan has over 100 active volcanoes, so eruptions are common. “The manga is interesting, but it’s more like a good guess based on Japan’s geology,” Dr. Tanaka said. Still, the story has grabbed everyone’s attention, and it’s making people talk.
How People Are Reacting
The eruption and the manga connection have people feeling all sorts of emotions. Some are scared because Japan has had big disasters before, like the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Social media posts show people worrying, with comments like, “Is this just the start of something bigger?” Others are fascinated by the manga’s prediction, sharing drawings and joking that Tatsuki should be called a “modern prophet.”
Despite the fear, Japan is handling the situation well. The country is used to dealing with disasters. Local leaders are giving out masks to protect people from the ash and setting up safe places for those who had to leave their homes. Schools are teaching online, and TV and radio keep everyone updated about the volcano. “We’ve seen worse,” said Aiko Yamada, who runs a shop in Kirishima. “The ash is annoying, but we’ll get through it.”
Younger people are especially excited about the manga connection. They’re creating art online that shows the eruption in a comic-book style, and some are calling for Tatsuki to get more recognition. The artist, who is now older, hasn’t said much about the situation, staying quiet as the buzz grows.
What’s Next?
Scientists are keeping a close eye on Mount Shinmoedake to see if it will erupt again. The hundreds of small earthquakes in the last few days show the area is still unstable. The ash could make farming hard for a while and might cost a lot to clean up. It could even change the weather a bit in the area.
While the manga story is exciting, experts say it’s important to focus on real science, not predictions. Japan’s disaster plans are strong, and that’s what’s helping people stay safe now. The Mega Disaster manga has made this eruption unforgettable, blending real life with a story that feels almost magical. As Japan deals with ash and shakes, this mix of fact and fiction has everyone wondering: what else might come true?
Last Updated on: Saturday, July 5, 2025 11:51 am by Chandini Naidu Kotikalapudi | Published by: Chandini Naidu Kotikalapudi on Saturday, July 5, 2025 11:46 am | News Categories: News
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