Exploring the Manga Artist's Eerie Predictions of Japan's Catastrophic Waves

Ryo Tatsuki (龍樹諒, Tatsuki Ryō) is a Japanese manga artist and self-described clairvoyant, best known for her 1999 manga *The Future I Saw* (*Watashi ga Mita Mirai*), which gained attention for its seemingly accurate predictions of real-world events. Below is a comprehensive overview of her life, career, and notable predictions based on available information.

### Personal Background
- **Birth and Early Life**: Ryo Tatsuki was born in Japan, with her birth year often cited as around 1955, making her approximately 70 years old as of 2025. Specific details about her early life, such as her exact birth date or hometown, are not widely documented, contributing to her reclusive persona. She has shared that her mother gave her a notebook in 1985, which she used to begin recording her dreams, marking the start of her dream diary.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://disaster.marufish.com/2025/01/13/ryo-tatsukis-vision-the-july-2025-tsunami-that-could-change-the-pacific/)
- **Personality and Public Presence**: Tatsuki is described as a private individual who avoids the spotlight. She has emphasized that she is not a prophet or fortune-teller, instead viewing her dreams as vivid, metaphorical insights. Her lack of sensationalism and reluctance to seek fame have added to her perceived authenticity among fans.[](https://medium.com/%40simple2d/ryo-tatsukis-new-book-angel-s-last-words-final-message-to-a-panicked-world-106f0140922d)[](https://www.monkeyandelf.com/ryo-tatsuki-the-former-mangaka-whose-chilling-predictions-are-captivating-the-world/)

### Manga Career
- **Debut and Early Work**: Tatsuki began her career as a manga artist in 1975, during the vibrant era of Japanese manga in the 1970s and 1980s. She gained recognition for works such as *Taj Mahal Byou no Aru Machi*, *Ningyou Monogatari*, *Houseki Monogatari*, and *Toki no Naka no Shoujo*, showcasing her storytelling and artistic skills.[](https://www.anime-planet.com/people/ryo-tatsuki)
- **The Future I Saw (1999)**: Published on July 1, 1999, by Asahi Sonorama, this manga compiled Tatsuki’s vivid dreams from 1985 to 1999, which she believed contained premonitions. The book blends her dream diary entries with manga illustrations, depicting events she foresaw. It initially received modest attention but gained a cult following after some predictions appeared to align with real-world events.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://disaster.marufish.com/2025/01/13/ryo-tatsukis-vision-the-july-2025-tsunami-that-could-change-the-pacific/)
- **Retirement**: Tatsuki retired from manga artistry in 1998, reportedly after a dream about “her own funeral,” which she interpreted as the end of her professional career. However, she briefly returned to publish updated editions of *The Future I Saw* in 2021 and a new book, *Angel’s Last Words*, in 2025.[](https://medium.com/japan-blog/from-the-dream-diary-of-ryo-tatsuki-to-the-eruption-of-mount-fuji-a194022b9fd4)[](https://medium.com/%40simple2d/ryo-tatsukis-new-book-angel-s-last-words-final-message-to-a-panicked-world-106f0140922d)

### Prophetic Dreams and Predictions
Tatsuki’s fame stems from her dream diary, which she began keeping in 1985, and her manga *The Future I Saw*, which documented 15 major precognitive dreams. Below are key predictions, their associated events, and their outcomes, as reported in various sources:

1. **Freddie Mercury’s Death (1991)**:
- **Dream**: In 1976 and 1981, Tatsuki dreamt of the death of her best friend’s favorite rock star, identified as Freddie Mercury of Queen.
- **Event**: Mercury died on November 24, 1991, aligning with her vision.
- **Outcome**: Fulfilled. This prediction contributed to her early credibility.[](https://medium.com/japan-blog/from-the-dream-diary-of-ryo-tatsuki-to-the-eruption-of-mount-fuji-a194022b9fd4)[](https://www.monkeyandelf.com/ryo-tatsuki-the-former-mangaka-whose-chilling-predictions-are-captivating-the-world/)

2. **Kobe Earthquake (1995)**:
- **Dream**: On January 2, 1995, Tatsuki recorded a dream of “the earth cracking in Kobe, 15 days or 15 years later.”
- **Event**: The Great Hanshin Earthquake struck Kobe on January 17, 1995, killing over 6,000 people.
- **Outcome**: Fulfilled. Reportedly, 20 people evacuated Kobe after learning of her prediction, crediting her with saving their lives.[](https://medium.com/japan-blog/from-the-dream-diary-of-ryo-tatsuki-to-the-eruption-of-mount-fuji-a194022b9fd4)[](https://www.monkeyandelf.com/ryo-tatsuki-the-former-mangaka-whose-chilling-predictions-are-captivating-the-world/)

3. **Princess Diana’s Death (1997)**:
- **Dream**: On August 31, 1992, Tatsuki dreamt of a woman named “DIANNA” and drew her portrait, noting “Diana? Died?” in her diary.
- **Event**: Princess Diana died in a car accident on August 31, 1997.
- **Outcome**: Fulfilled, though Tatsuki clarified she did not sense death in the dream, and the interpretation was added by readers post-event.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://medium.com/japan-blog/from-the-dream-diary-of-ryo-tatsuki-to-the-eruption-of-mount-fuji-a194022b9fd4)

4. **Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami (2011)**:
- **Dream**: Tatsuki’s 1999 manga included a vague reference to a “great disaster in March” with a character covering their face, mirroring her own depiction in a dream where she was injured.
- **Event**: The Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011, causing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
- **Outcome**: Fulfilled. The manga’s cover and content were retroactively linked to this event, boosting its popularity.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://medium.com/%40davidsehyeonbaek/ryo-tatsuki-and-the-mirage-of-prophecy-pop-culture-panic-and-the-problem-of-interpretation-706805b9b785)

5. **COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)**:
- **Dream**: In 1995, Tatsuki wrote about an “unknown virus” arriving in 2020, peaking in April and reappearing in 2030.
- **Event**: The COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, though its peak extended beyond April.
- **Outcome**: Partially fulfilled. Tatsuki apologized on social media for misjudging the pandemic’s peak, but the prediction increased her book’s popularity during 2020.[](https://medium.com/japan-blog/from-the-dream-diary-of-ryo-tatsuki-to-the-eruption-of-mount-fuji-a194022b9fd4)

6. **Mount Fuji Eruption (2021–2036)**:
- **Dream**: In 1991, Tatsuki envisioned a catastrophic eruption of Mount Fuji, dated August 20, 2021, or every 15 years until 2141.
- **Event**: No eruption occurred in 2021, but geological studies suggest Mount Fuji is due for activity, aligning with her timeline.
- **Outcome**: Unfulfilled as of 2025, but considered “active” until 2036.[](https://derechadiario.com.ar/us/argentina/the-prophecies-of-the-catastrophic-manga-that-it-predicted-and-that-have-yet-to-be-fulfilled)[](https://medium.com/japan-blog/from-the-dream-diary-of-ryo-tatsuki-to-the-eruption-of-mount-fuji-a194022b9fd4)

7. **Yokohama Earthquake and Tsunami (2026)**:
- **Dream**: In 1991, Tatsuki foresaw a major earthquake and tsunami in Yokohama between June and September 2026, with water flooding the city.
- **Event**: Yet to occur.
- **Outcome**: Unfulfilled, pending 2026.[](https://derechadiario.com.ar/us/argentina/the-prophecies-of-the-catastrophic-manga-that-it-predicted-and-that-have-yet-to-be-fulfilled)

8. **July 2025 Mega-Tsunami**:
- **Dream**: In her 2021 reprint of *The Future I Saw*, Tatsuki predicted a “real catastrophe” in July 2025, describing an undersea rupture between Japan and the Philippines, causing a tsunami “three times larger” than the 2011 event. She later clarified the specific date of July 5, 2025, and the time (4:18 AM) referred to when she had the dream, not the event itself. Imagery of a “boiling sea” suggested volcanic activity or a submarine explosion in a diamond-shaped region connecting Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
- **Event**: No disaster occurred on July 5, 2025, though an earthquake swarm in the Tokara Islands in July 2025 heightened public concern. Tatsuki revised her prediction in June 2025, dropping the specific date.
- **Outcome**: Unfulfilled as of August 1, 2025. The prediction caused widespread panic, leading to a 50% drop in tourism bookings in some areas, flight cancellations, and public advisories from Chinese authorities.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-japans-mega-tsunami-prediction-8477963)[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-japans-new-baba-vanga-ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-the-july-2025-disaster-prediction/articleshow/121314805.cms)

### Later Works and Response to Controversy
- **2021 Reprint and Public Reaction**: The 2021 reprint of *The Future I Saw* (Complete Edition) included additional context and warnings about the July 2025 disaster, amplifying public interest. The phrase “the real catastrophe is in July 2025” was added by editors for marketing, not Tatsuki’s exact words, leading to accusations of sensationalism. The reprint’s popularity caused second-hand copies to surge in price after the original publisher, Asahi Sonorama, went defunct.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://www.reddit.com/r/NaturalDisasters/comments/1ldlkag/is_the_ryo_tatsukijuly_5th_prediction_a_major/)
- **Angel’s Last Words (2025)**: On June 15, 2025, Tatsuki self-published *Angel’s Last Words* through Japan Literature and Art Publishing House to address rumors and clarify her predictions. The book reflects on her childhood, creative process, and dream-recording, emphasizing “Angel” as a symbol of protection. She reiterated she is not a prophet and urged readers not to panic.[](https://medium.com/%40simple2d/ryo-tatsukis-new-book-angel-s-last-words-final-message-to-a-panicked-world-106f0140922d)
- **Response to Panic**: The July 2025 prediction sparked mass hysteria, particularly in East Asia, with significant drops in tourism to Japan (e.g., Tottori reported a 50% decline in bookings from Hong Kong). Tatsuki issued a statement after the Tokara Islands earthquake swarm, clarifying she is not a prophet and that her dreams are not scientifically verifiable. Japanese authorities, including the Japan Meteorological Agency, emphasized that earthquakes cannot be predicted with current technology.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Future_I_Saw)[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-japans-new-baba-vanga-ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-the-july-2025-disaster-prediction/articleshow/121314805.cms)[](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/07/02/in-japan-a-manga-artist-has-predicted-a-disaster-in-early-july-causing-a-drop-in-tourism_6742923_4.html)

### Cultural Impact and Public Perception
- **Nickname**: Tatsuki has been dubbed “Japan’s Baba Vanga” or “New Baba Vanga” due to parallels with the Bulgarian mystic known for her prophecies. Her predictions resonate in East Asia, where cultural beliefs in premonitions carry weight.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-japans-new-baba-vanga-ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-the-july-2025-disaster-prediction/articleshow/121314805.cms)[](https://www.monkeyandelf.com/ryo-tatsuki-the-former-mangaka-whose-chilling-predictions-are-captivating-the-world/)
- **Skepticism and Criticism**: Seismologists and skeptics argue that Tatsuki’s predictions lack scientific basis, and some fulfilled predictions (e.g., Tōhoku) were retroactively linked to vague references in her manga. Critics note the human tendency to find patterns (apophenia) and question the marketing-driven hype around her work.[](https://www.reddit.com/r/NaturalDisasters/comments/1ldlkag/is_the_ryo_tatsukijuly_5th_prediction_a_major/)[](https://medium.com/%40davidsehyeonbaek/ryo-tatsuki-and-the-mirage-of-prophecy-pop-culture-panic-and-the-problem-of-interpretation-706805b9b785)
- **Supporters and Influence**: Fans point to her detailed predictions and track record, particularly the Kobe and Tōhoku disasters, as evidence of her foresight. Her manga’s illustrations and diary entries, blending art with prophecy, have made her a unique figure bridging pop culture and mysticism. Social media platforms like X amplified her predictions, with hashtags like #July5Disaster trending in 2025.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-japans-new-baba-vanga-ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-the-july-2025-disaster-prediction/articleshow/121314805.cms)[](https://www.monkeyandelf.com/ryo-tatsuki-the-former-mangaka-whose-chilling-predictions-are-captivating-the-world/)

### Other Notable Details
- **Impersonation Incident**: In the early 2020s, a middle-aged man born in 1976, linked to a Japanese pseudo-religion, impersonated Tatsuki, leading to her reluctant involvement in the 2021 reprint to counter misinformation.[](https://en.namu.wiki/w/%25EB%2582%25B4%25EA%25B0%2580%2520%25EB%25B3%25B8%2520%25EB%25AF%25B8%25EB%259E%2598)
- **Writing Style**: Tatsuki’s manga is noted for its straightforward, unembellished style, presenting dreams without dramatization. This approach lends credibility to her work for some readers.[](https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-japans-mega-tsunami-prediction-8477963)
- **Geological Context**: Her predictions often align with Japan’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone. Areas like the Nankai Trough and Japan Trench, mentioned in her visions, are known for megaquakes, adding plausibility to her warnings despite their unscientific nature.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-japans-new-baba-vanga-ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-the-july-2025-disaster-prediction/articleshow/121314805.cms)

### Current Status (as of August 1, 2025)
- Tatsuki remains a reclusive figure, living quietly and avoiding media attention. Her *Angel’s Last Words* release and statements in 2025 reflect her intent to clarify her work and reduce panic.
- The July 2025 prediction, while unfulfilled, continues to spark online discussions about disaster preparedness and the power of prophecy in shaping public behavior.[](https://medium.com/%40simple2d/ryo-tatsukis-new-book-angel-s-last-words-final-message-to-a-panicked-world-106f0140922d)[](https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-international/2025/06/25/H6RITMEUHRHORJLFD2TBG6TB5U/)

### Critical Analysis
While Tatsuki’s predictions have an uncanny track record, their vagueness and retrospective interpretations raise questions. For example, the Tōhoku prediction was linked to her manga only after the event, and the July 2025 date was later clarified as the time of her dream, not the disaster. Her supporters argue that her detailed imagery and partial successes (e.g., Kobe, Freddie Mercury) suggest genuine insight, while critics attribute her accuracy to coincidence and selective interpretation. The cultural and economic impact of her predictions, particularly on tourism, underscores the influence of speculative narratives in the age of viral media.[](https://medium.com/%40davidsehyeonbaek/ryo-tatsuki-and-the-mirage-of-prophecy-pop-culture-panic-and-the-problem-of-interpretation-706805b9b785)

For further details, her books *The Future I Saw* (available in Japanese, with limited English translations) and *Angel’s Last Words* provide primary sources. Information on her predictions and their impact can also be found in articles from *The Economic Times*, *Times of India*, and *Le Monde*.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-japans-new-baba-vanga-ryo-tatsuki-the-manga-artist-behind-the-july-2025-disaster-prediction/articleshow/121314805.cms)[](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/07/02/in-japan-a-manga-artist-has-predicted-a-disaster-in-early-july-causing-a-drop-in-tourism_6742923_4.html)[](https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Future-Saw-Complete-Version-Tatsuki/dp/B0CG8D3HL8)

If you need specific details about her works, predictions, or cultural impact, let me know!