Visual Arts issued a statement on October 19 about creator Jun Maeda’s health and future creative work. Jun Maeda is a Visual Arts/Key creator who has worked on the stories and music for Air, Clannad, Angel Beats and Heaven Burns Red. The statement also covered the status of the game and a separate music project he had been preparing.

Maeda felt discomfort in his throat in early spring, then developed swelling and severe pain in the summer before an examination led to a diagnosis of pharyngeal cancer. Maeda is hospitalized and chose care focused on easing symptoms after reviewing his condition and treatment outlook. Visual Arts said the decision reflected his wish to conserve his strength and devote his remaining time to creative work.

Heaven Burns Red is a collectible RPG released in 2022 through a collaboration between Visual Arts and WFS. Its story follows girls who can wield weapons called Seraphs against mysterious beings known as Cancer, depicting both their daily lives and a fight for humanity’s survival. The game combines Japanese RPG gameplay with a story of youth facing adversity that Maeda has worked on. Chapter 6 was announced in August as the final chapter of the main story.

Maeda has completed his assigned writing, lyrics and music through the first part of Chapter 6 of Heaven Burns Red’s main story. Visual Arts said the major parts of the story through the chapter’s conclusion have also been written. The company said Maeda may be unable to work directly on other scenarios and songs, depending on how his illness progresses.

Maeda has been preparing a new music project, and the completed songs are planned for sequential release on YouTube in line with his wishes. The project was originally intended to unfold on YouTube over an extended period. Visual Arts said it changed plans after concluding that the time available to create the music was limited, and now intends to finish the songs under consideration promptly and deliver them to fans.

Visual Arts provided a dedicated email address and mailing instructions for fans who want to send encouragement or letters. It said letters received would be passed to Maeda, though individual replies would be difficult, and declined gifts other than letters. The company apologized for the sudden announcement.