5 Shocking Reasons Why 'Yakuza Fiancé' Author Said: "I'd Rather Be Strangers In The Next Life"

The ancient phrase "唯 願 來世 不 相識" (Wěi yuàn láishì bù xiāngshí), which translates to "I only wish that in the next life, we will not meet," has found a modern, explosive context in the world of Japanese manga and anime. As of late December 2025, this sentiment is not just a tragic romantic ideal but the title—and a profound thematic core—of the breakout series *Yakuza Fiancé* (Japanese title: *Raise wa Tanin ga Ii*). This dark, unconventional shojo manga has captivated global audiences with its story of an arranged marriage between two heirs of powerful yakuza families, but it’s the recent, highly controversial anime adaptation that has thrust the phrase into the current cultural spotlight, sparking a major industry debate about creator rights and publisher ethics.

The series, penned by the enigmatic mangaka Asuka Konishi, has been celebrated for its sharp dialogue, morally gray characters, and a relationship that oscillates dangerously between genuine affection and psychological warfare. However, the drama behind the scenes, involving allegations of unauthorized production and authorial distress, has become as compelling—and perhaps as dark—as the fictional narrative itself. This deep dive explores the series' magnetic appeal, the complex characters that embody the phrase's meaning, and the shocking, up-to-the-minute controversy that has halted the manga's production.

The Author, The Characters, and The World of '唯 願 來世 不 相識'

To understand why the wish "I only wish that in the next life, we will not meet" resonates so deeply, one must first appreciate the entities that populate this world of organized crime, forbidden romance, and psychological tension. The primary source for the series, the manga *Raise wa Tanin ga Ii*, has been serialized in Kodansha's *Monthly Afternoon* magazine since 2017 and quickly gained a reputation for subverting traditional romance tropes.

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Key Biographical & Series Entities

• Title (Chinese): 唯 願 來世 不 相識 (Wěi yuàn láishì bù xiāngshí)
• Title (Japanese): 来世は他人がいい (Raise wa Tanin ga Ii)
• Title (English): Yakuza Fiancé / I Want to Be Someone Else in the Next Life
• Author/Mangaka: Asuka Konishi (小西明日翔)
• Author's Known Works: *Haru's Curse* (Haru no Noroi), *Yakuza Fiancé*
• Publisher: Kodansha (講談社)
• Magazine: *Monthly Afternoon* (月刊アフタヌーン)
• Protagonist (Heroine): Yoshino Somei (染井吉乃) – Granddaughter of the Osaka-based Somei Group.
• Protagonist (Fiancé): Kirishima Miyama (深山霧島) – Grandson of the Tokyo-based Miyama Group (or Togakushi-kai affiliate).
• Setting: Primarily Tokyo, Japan, following the arranged engagement.
• Genre: Dark Romance, Shojo, Organized Crime, Psychological Drama.
• Key Themes: Arranged Marriage, Toxic Relationships, Familial Duty, Sociopathy, and Morality.
• Anime Adaptation: Premiered Fall 2024.
• The Somei Group: Yoshino’s family, a major yakuza organization in Osaka.
• The Miyama Group: Kirishima’s family, a major yakuza organization in Tokyo.

The story centers on Yoshino Somei, a seemingly ordinary high school girl who is, in fact, the granddaughter of a powerful Osaka yakuza boss. Her life of relative peace is shattered when her grandfather arranges her marriage to Kirishima Miyama, the charismatic but deeply unsettling grandson of a Tokyo yakuza head. Kirishima is introduced as a handsome, charming, yet frighteningly sociopathic character who openly admits to his dangerous nature. Yoshino, initially resistant, moves to Tokyo to live with him, and their relationship becomes a tense, high-stakes game of psychological cat-and-mouse. The phrase "I only wish that in the next life, we will not meet" perfectly encapsulates Yoshino's desperate desire to escape the inescapable, toxic bond forged by their families.

The 5 Shocking Reasons Behind The Anime Controversy

While the fictional drama has been ongoing for years, the real-world controversy surrounding the anime adaptation is what cemented the series' place in the most current news cycle. The dispute involves the acclaimed author, Asuka Konishi, and the powerhouse publisher, Kodansha. This incident has drawn immediate parallels to the tragic *Sexy Tanaka-san* dispute, where a mangaka's struggles with an adaptation led to a tragic outcome, making the current situation extremely sensitive and high-profile.

1. Allegations of Unauthorized Production

The most significant point of contention is the claim that the anime adaptation, which premiered in Fall 2024, was greenlit and produced without the full consent or even knowledge of the original creator, Asuka Konishi. Konishi, who is known to be protective of her work and uses a pen name to maintain privacy, reportedly learned of the adaptation at the same time as the general public, a shocking revelation for a major series.

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2. The Author's Desire for Post-Completion Adaptation

Reports indicate that Konishi had previously expressed a clear preference: she did not want the series to be animated until the manga itself was completed. This is a common desire among mangaka who want to ensure the final, canonical story is represented correctly. The publisher, Kodansha, allegedly proceeded despite this stated wish, prioritizing the immediate financial opportunity of the anime market over the creator's artistic control.

3. Dispute Over Creative Control and Quality

Beyond the initial authorization, there were discussions regarding the quality of the animation and the creative direction. Some manga readers and the author herself reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the production quality of the initial episodes. This lack of communication and apparent disregard for the creator's vision fueled the public outcry, highlighting a systemic problem in the manga-to-anime pipeline.

4. The Manga's Temporary Hiatus

In a direct consequence of the immense stress and disagreement with the publisher, Asuka Konishi announced a temporary hiatus for the *Yakuza Fiancé* manga. While the exact terms of the dispute remain private, the halt in serialization is a powerful, real-world manifestation of the author's distress, mirroring the extreme psychological tension found within the manga's plot itself. This decision put the continuation of one of the most popular dark shojo series on hold, frustrating fans but garnering widespread support for the author's rights.

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5. Parallels to the 'Sexy Tanaka-san' Tragedy

The controversy gained national and international gravity because it followed the tragic events surrounding the author of *Sexy Tanaka-san*. The similarities—a high-profile manga adaptation, a dispute over creative control, and a major publisher—created a firestorm of public and industry scrutiny aimed at Kodansha and the broader Japanese publishing industry. This context turned the *Yakuza Fiancé* dispute from a simple business disagreement into a pivotal conversation about the treatment of mangaka.

The Enduring Appeal of Dark Romance and The 'Next Life' Wish

The phrase "唯 願 來世 不 相識" (Wěi yuàn láishì bù xiāngshí) is a powerful expression of a bond so intense, so consuming, and perhaps so painful, that the only hope for peace is complete separation in the next existence. This concept is the lifeblood of the series and its topical authority.

The Psychological Depth of the Protagonists

The series thrives on the dynamic between Yoshino Somei and Kirishima Miyama. Yoshino is not a passive heroine; she is pragmatic, intelligent, and capable of holding her own against the volatile Kirishima. Kirishima, in turn, is a master manipulator whose charm masks a dangerous, sociopathic core. Their relationship is a complex cocktail of mutual respect, fear, and reluctant attraction. This is not a simple love story; it is a tale of two people who, by fate and familial duty, are tied together in a way that threatens their very sanity, making the wish for a clean slate in the "next life" a profoundly relatable, albeit extreme, desire.

Subverting the Shojo Genre

Asuka Konishi's work is celebrated for taking the traditional shojo (girls' manga) tropes—the handsome, charismatic male lead and the arranged marriage premise—and twisting them into something dark and mature. The "dark romance" label is earned not through excessive melodrama but through the genuine threat of violence and psychological damage that underpins every interaction. The narrative explores themes of inherited trauma, the burden of familial obligation in the yakuza world, and the difficulty of finding normalcy when one is born into organized crime. The series' popularity proves a strong appetite for complex, morally ambiguous narratives that challenge the traditional "happily ever after."

Why The Phrase Resonates Today (LSI Keywords)

The enduring popularity of *Yakuza Fiancé* and the phrase "唯 願 來世 不 相識" is tied to a modern fascination with toxic relationships and high-stakes drama. The series has become a touchstone for discussions around unconventional romance, yakuza manga, psychological thriller anime, and the broader topic of creator rights in Japan. The real-life drama involving Asuka Konishi and Kodansha only amplifies the story's themes, blurring the line between the fictional struggle of Yoshino to escape her fate and the very real struggle of the creator to maintain control over her artistic destiny. For fans, the wish for a new beginning in the next life now carries a dual meaning: the characters' desire to escape each other, and the creator's wish to escape a painful professional entanglement.