Daichi Banjou, the manga artist known for DAN DOH!! and Mobile Suit Gundam Aggressor, has revealed that cancerous growths have returned following surgery. In a X post, Banjou said a positron emission tomography (PET) scan detected several cancer recurrences. He explained that another surgery was not a practical option and that he now faces a difficult decision about whether to undergo chemotherapy.
The artist also described the physical and emotional toll of his previous operation. Although he intends to keep fighting, he is concerned that prolonged hospitalization, painful rehabilitation, and treatment side effects could leave him without the energy to continue drawing manga.
DAICHI BANJOU EXPLAINS WHY CHEMOTHERAPY IS A DIFFICULT DECISION
Banjou shared the latest update on his health on social media on October 7, 2026, according to the report. Discussing the scan results, he wrote,
“My PET scan detected several cancerous recurrences after my surgery (T^T).”
The manga artist said some of the cancerous cells were located near what he described as a dangerous area. Leaving them untreated could lead to further difficulties, but deciding on the next course of treatment is complicated by his experience after surgery.
Banjou expressed doubts about chemotherapy after seeing cancer patients he knew undergo the treatment and later pass away. His comments reflect his personal fears and experiences, rather than a general assessment of chemotherapy’s effectiveness.
He is also worried about losing the ability to work while dealing with treatment and recovery. As a manga artist, continuing to draw remains an important consideration as he weighs the options available to him.
ARTIST SAYS HE FEARS RETURNING TO SEVERE POST-SURGERY PAIN
Banjou also spoke candidly about the pain he experienced after his cancer surgery and the prospect of going through it again. He said,
“I don’t want to experience the excruciating pain I felt after my cancer surgery.”
He explained that the sleepless nights caused by the pain remain difficult to forget. Recovery has also involved challenging rehabilitation, making the possibility of another extended hospital stay especially worrying for him.
Despite these concerns, Banjou has said he intends to continue fighting. Comparing his life to a manga series, he wrote,
“No one can replace me as the main character in my own life. You can’t let your life be canceled partway through serialization.”
He added that he hopes to choose the path that brings him the least suffering.
Banjou also thanked fans for their messages of encouragement. He said receiving his diagnosis had affected his spirits, but the kindness of his supporters helped him recover emotionally. His two social media posts received thousands of likes and hundreds of reposts and comments, according to Anime News Network.
DAICHI BANJOU’S CANCER BATTLE AND MANGA CAREER
Banjou first announced his cancer diagnosis in May 2020. His earlier health problems led to a hiatus for Mobile Suit Gundam Aggressor, which resumed serialization in September that year after a three-month break. The series began publication in Shogakukan’s Shōnen Sunday S magazine in October 2014.
Banjou is also known for illustrating DAN DOH!!, a golf manga created with writer Nobuhiro Sakata. The series ran in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from 1995 to 2000 and received a television anime adaptation in 2004. Shogakukan’s official listings provide further details about DAN DOH!! and Mobile Suit Gundam Aggressor.
Banjou has not announced a final decision regarding chemotherapy in the reported posts. His latest update highlights the difficult balance between addressing the cancer’s return, managing pain, and preserving his ability to continue his manga work.
