The writer and composer of many beloved Visual Arts/Key visual novels has opted for palliative care.
Visual Arts/Key announced on 19 October that writer and composer Jun Maeda, known for “Kanon,” “Air,” “Clannad,” and “Angel Beats!,” has been diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer. After considering his condition and the outlook for possible treatment, Maeda has chosen to focus on palliative care.
The company said Maeda is currently hospitalised, but remains determined to continue creative work for as long as possible. Fans can send him messages of encouragement by email or letter, although the staff has asked them not to send gifts or get-well items.
Visual Arts/Key announces Jun Maeda's cancer diagnosis, future of his current creative activities
The USA leg of Visual Arts gave fans an update regarding Jun Maeda, who was recently diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer after significant pain and discomfort in his throat this Summer, confirming that the composer and scenario writer has opted to undergo palliative care instead of pursuing active treatment to devote himself to his creative work.
Visual Arts also included updates regarding Maeda's remaining creative projects: “Heaven Burns Red”–a free-to-play RPG developed by Wright Flyer Studios and Key, and an original music project.
For Heaven Burns Red, Visual Arts stated: “For the main story, Maeda has completed portions under his responsibility through half of Chapter 6.”
They further confirmed that he has completed composition and lyrics for the songs featured in the first half of Chapter 6. However, depending on the progression of his illness, Maeda “may be unable to participate” in the creation of future scenarios and songs for Heaven Burns Red.
For the original music project, which Visual Arts described as “a new challenge” where Maeda would gradually release newly created songs over the long term, Maeda has opted to focus on completing songs that are already in development as “quickly as possible”, as Maeda felt that there was “little time remaining in which he would be able to continue creating.”
Visual Arts ended the announcement by asking fans to send messages and letters of encouragement to Maeda, who is now currently hospitalised. Fans who wish to express encouragement, care, and any kind words to Maeda may do so by sending an e-mail or a hand-written letter.
Maeda was hospitalised for five months in 2016 due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition involving unexplained enlargement and weakening of the heart’s left ventricle. Later that year, he revealed that his heart condition required a transplant. He subsequently reassured fans that he still had a long life ahead of him and intended to continue writing stories.
Who is Jun Maeda?
Maeda began working on visual novels with Tactics and NEXTON’s “Moon” in 1997 and “ONE” in 1998. The core team behind the two titles eventually left Tactics to create visual novels under the new circle Key, where Maeda became known for writing “Kanon,” “Air,” “Clannad,” and “Little Busters!” All four titles received anime adaptations.
Maeda has also composed music for the visual novels he has written. His other anime projects include “Angel Beats!” and “Charlotte,” for which he wrote the stories and composed theme songs. He has also composed music or supervised musical production for other Key titles, including “Kud Wafter,” “Rewrite,” and “Prima Doll.” He is credited with the original work and as scriptwriter for “The Day I Became a God,” produced by Key, Aniplex, and P.A. Works.
Maeda provided the original concept for “Summer Pockets,” which launched for Windows PC in June 2018 before arriving on iOS and Android in December that year. The game received a television anime adaptation in June 2025.
Maeda is known as a key proponent to the genre of visual novels known as “nakige”, or crying games, which feature strong emotional themes of overcoming death, loss, tragedy, and sacrifice. These games (and their anime counterparts) still hold strong influence in the Visual Novel scene to this day.