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Zero no Tsukaima's Yamaguchi Confirms He Has Cancer

Zero no Tsukaima (The Familiar of Zero) author Noboru Yamaguchi confirmed in a message posted on Media Factory's website on Friday that he has cancer in an advanced stage.

Around February of this year, Yamaguchi underwent a diagnosis at a hospital which discovered his cancer. The cancer was advancing rapidly to the point that surgery was considered futile at the time.

Around May, a gallstone was discovered that was unrelated to his cancer, so Yamaguchi had surgery to remove the gallstone. During the gallstone surgery, the cancerous growth was confirmed to have shrunk in size. Yamaguchi then learned that there was surgery that he could have that might cure the cancer. He plans to have that surgery in early August.

Yamaguchi was in the middle of writing the 21st volume of the Zero no Tsukaima light novel series, but as a result of what has happened, it will be difficult for him to publish the book in August as scheduled. He had previously planned to end the series in two volumes after the 20th volume, but he is now focusing first on a successful surgery and recovery.

[Via Hachima Kikō]

Update: More information added. Media Factory posted a postal address for sending messages, and the editors promises to delivery the messages to Yamaguchi.