Gamon Sakurai Dives Into His Final Chapter: 'The Pool' Manga Comes to an End
📷 Image source: animenewsnetwork.com
The Last Lap
After Five Years, Sakurai Closes the Pool
Gamon Sakurai, the mind behind the eerie and visually striking manga 'The Pool,' has called it quits. The series, which began its run in 2020, wrapped up this week, leaving fans with a mix of satisfaction and longing. Sakurai, best known for his work on 'Ajinn: Demi-Human,' took a sharp turn with 'The Pool,' a story that blended psychological horror with surreal aquatic imagery.
For five years, readers followed the unsettling journey of its protagonist, a man trapped in a nightmarish, ever-shifting pool. The manga’s abrupt ending—no spoilers here—has already sparked heated debates on forums. Was it a masterstroke or a rushed finale? Either way, Sakurai isn’t one to overstay his welcome.
Why 'The Pool' Mattered
A Dive Into the Unconscious
'The Pool' wasn’t just another horror manga. It was a slow, suffocating exploration of isolation and existential dread, wrapped in Sakurai’s signature art style—think Junji Ito meets David Lynch. The protagonist’s struggle against an unseen force in the water became a metaphor for mental health battles, a theme that resonated deeply in post-pandemic Japan.
Critics praised its willingness to linger in ambiguity. Unlike mainstream shonen titles, 'The Pool' refused to spoon-feed answers. Fans either loved it or threw their hands up in frustration. But that was the point. Sakurai once said in a 2023 interview, 'I want readers to feel like they’re drowning too. If they’re uncomfortable, good.'
What’s Next for Sakurai?
From Water to... What?
Sakurai’s career has been anything but predictable. After 'Ajinn' became a cult hit, he could’ve stuck to supernatural action. Instead, he gambled on 'The Pool,' a niche, experimental project. Now that it’s over, speculation is rampant. Will he return to 'Ajinn'? Dive into a new original work? Or take a break?
His publisher, Kodansha, has been tight-lipped, but industry insiders whisper about an upcoming anthology project. Whatever comes next, one thing’s clear: Sakurai doesn’t do safe. And that’s why his fans—and critics—will be watching.
The Ripple Effect
How 'The Pool' Changed Horror Manga
'The Pool' didn’t just end; it left a mark. Younger mangaka are already citing it as an influence, particularly its use of negative space and silence to build tension. Anime adaptations are unlikely—this was a story meant for the page—but its legacy is secure.
In an era where manga trends toward flashy battles or isekai overload, 'The Pool' was a quiet, unsettling anomaly. It proved there’s still an appetite for stories that don’t play nice. As one fan put it on Twitter, 'I’ll miss the dread.' So will we.
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