Key's Jun Maeda Diagnosed With Pharyngeal Cancer
Visual Arts said Maeda will skip aggressive treatment and continue writing, with palliative care as his main treatment.
Visual Arts announced on Key's official X account on October 19 that Jun Maeda, the creator behind Kanon, AIR and CLANNAD, has been diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer, according to cinematoday.jp. The company said Maeda will not undergo aggressive treatment and will instead focus on creative work while receiving mainly palliative care.
According to the announcement, Maeda began feeling discomfort in his throat in early spring 2026. When swelling and pain worsened in summer, he underwent detailed tests that led to the diagnosis.
Visual Arts said Maeda has already finished writing the scenario for the first part of main story chapter 6 of Heaven Burns Red, along with the lyrics and music for that section. He has also completed the main parts of the story through the conclusion of chapter 6, though the company noted that other scenarios and songs may not be finished by him as the illness progresses.
Maeda has also changed his plan for a new music project, moving away from long-term development on YouTube toward completing the songs he has already conceived and releasing them on YouTube in sequence.
Visual Arts said Maeda is currently hospitalized and asked fans to watch over him warmly. Key's post stated that letters and emails of encouragement will be passed on to Maeda, while gifts other than letters will be declined.
Quick answers
What did Visual Arts announce about Jun Maeda?
On October 19, Visual Arts announced on Key's official X account that Maeda has been diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer and will focus on creative work while receiving mainly palliative care.
Will Jun Maeda continue working on Heaven Burns Red?
He has finished the scenario for the first part of main story chapter 6 and the lyrics and music for that portion, as well as the main parts of the story through the chapter's conclusion. Other scenarios and songs may not be completed by him as the illness progresses.
How can fans send messages to Jun Maeda?
Key's post says letters and emails of encouragement will be passed to Maeda, while gifts other than letters will be declined.