The Manga Stoking Fears of a July 5 2025 “Megaquake” in Japan
Ryo Tatsuki’s cult manga The Future I Saw has reignited social media panic—predicting a catastrophic disaster in July 2025—and disrupted tourism. Here’s what’s fact fiction and expert advice .
A decades old manga has sparked widespread anxiety and even altered international travel plans . The Future I Saw a cult classic by Japanese artist Ryo Tatsuki contains an eerie prediction of a major disaster hitting Japan in July 2025 . Originally published in 1999 and reissued in 2021 the manga has drawn attention for its supposed foresight—particularly for appearing to anticipate the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . As July 5 2025 approaches fear has intensified across East Asia fueled by social media speculation and superstition .
Origins of the Prophecy
Ryo Tatsuki claimed that her manga was based on prophetic dreams she recorded over the year . The 1999 edition had handwritten notes referencing a great disaster year 2011 month 3—a chilling coincidence with the real earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 .
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While many of her other predictions including those about Princess Diana’s fate and COVID 19 remain unverified or speculative the 2011 reference gained her cult status . Critics point out that only about one third of her predictions have lined up with real events but believers emphasize the uncanny accuracy of those that did .
The 2021 Complete Edition and Viral Spread
In 2021 Tatsuki released The Future I Saw Complete Edition which included previously unpublished dreams . One entry warned of a massive underwater earthquake in the Philippine Sea predicted to occur in July 2025 and causing a tsunami three times taller than in 2011 .
As 2025 progressed this prediction gained viral momentum across social media in China South Korea Taiwan and especially Hong Kong . Content creators conspiracy theorists and feng shui masters began issuing warnings spreading countdown videos and panic inducing interpretations that racked up millions of views .
Real World Impact Tourism Decline and Public Anxiety
- The manga’s influence isn’t confined to fiction. It’s impacted real world tourism .
- Travel bookings from Hong Kong to Japan plummeted by 11–50 percent between June and July 2025 .
- Tour operators reported that demand halved compared to the same period in previous years .
- Airlines like Greater Bay HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines reduced capacity or suspended flights entirely .
- Tour packages dropped in price by 10–20 percent saving travelers around HK 2000 or US 250 .
Still some opportunistic travelers took advantage of the low prices dismissing the prophecy as superstition without scientific backing .
Expert Opinion and Government Response
Japan’s Meteorological Agency swiftly debunked the claims. Its Director General stated that accurately predicting the timing of an earthquake remains scientifically impossible .
Panels of Japanese government seismologists estimate an 80 percent chance of a Nankai Trough megaquake occurring in the next 30 years—but emphasize that no one can determine the exact date . Renowned seismologist Robert Geller added that no method not even scientific ones has ever succeeded in giving exact earthquake dates .
Cultural Amplification and Social Media Panic
The doomsday prophecy received added momentum from feng shui masters and TikTok style countdowns reinforcing anxiety in East Asia . The intersection of culture mysticism and online virality created a self perpetuating feedback loop of fear . Blog posts and influencers turned Tatsuki’s obscure manga into a cultural flashpoint .
Should You Be Worried
Yes Japan is earthquake prone and preparedness is essential .
No scientific experts agree that precise date predictions are baseless .
Key lesson The manga’s real value might lie in promoting disaster readiness—not forecasting doom .
Tatsuki herself has urged readers to remain rational and trust scientific institutions rather than panic over fictional foresight .
Conclusion
The Future I Saw is more than a manga—it’s a mirror reflecting cultural anxiety digital influence and the ongoing fear of The Big One in Japan. While July 5 2025 looms large in the minds of many experts advise calm over fear . Ultimately preparing for earthquakes through real science and safety planning is far more useful than reacting to fictional prophecies—no matter how compelling they may seem .