Ryo Tatsuki: The New Japanese "Baba Vanga"
Ryo Tatsuki's Prediction and Its Impact on Tourism
Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, nicknamed the “New Baba Vanga,” has sparked a global debate after predicting a possible natural disaster for Japan on July 5, 2025. This prediction, documented in her work "The Future I Saw," is having a significant impact on Japanese tourism, with a sharp decline in reservations from countries like Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Cancellations surged up to 83% between late June and early July, prompting Japanese officials to address the situation and minimize alarm, although fear persists fueled by Tatsuki's reputation for previously predicting events such as Freddie Mercury’s death, the 2011 Tohoku tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accuracy and Controversy
Ryo Tatsuki is not an ordinary figure; she has earned her nickname due to the remarkable accuracy of her predictions over the decades. Since the 1980s, she has documented her vivid dreams in manga form, including events such as the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the tragic loss of Princess Diana, having been prophesied in her work. This predictive ability, similar to that of the famous Bulgarian Baba Vanga, has generated both admiration and skepticism. While some see her dreams as a manifestation of an extraordinary talent, scientists dismiss any concrete evidence supporting these abilities and point to failed predictions, such as her forecast about her own death in 2000 or the failure of a Mount Fuji eruption. Nevertheless, her ability to anticipate significant events has solidified her reputation as a figure to be reckoned with.
Her Current Warning
The prediction currently generating the most concern is that of a tsunami “three times larger” than the devastating 2011 event, which would occur on July 5, 2025. Tatsuki describes a vision in which the Pacific Ocean south of Japan appears to be "boiling," suggesting a possible underwater volcanic eruption or a massive rupture between Japan and the Philippines, with an impact area in the shape of a diamond encompassing Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Mariana Islands. While experts acknowledge the geological activity of the area, particularly the threat of the Nankai Trench (a fault capable of generating a megathrust earthquake), they insist that predicting the exact timing of a seismic event is impossible with current technology.
Justified Panic or Misinformation on Social Media?
Tatsuki's prediction has unleashed a wave of hysteria on social media, with the hashtag #July2025Prediction trending on platforms like Weibo, TikTok, and X. Images of survival kits, apocalyptic memes, and analyses of Tatsuki’s work are shared, contributing to an overall climate of fear. Although Japanese officials attempt to minimize alarm, urging tourists to ignore rumors and visit the country, sales of survival equipment have increased significantly. In addition to the tsunami prediction, Tatsuki has also warned about a possible resurgence of a pandemic in 2030, even more devastating than COVID-19, adding another layer of unease to the situation.
The Apocalyptic Future According to Tatsuki
Ryo Tatsuki's influence is not limited to imminent events; her work also contemplates a more distant future marked by new catastrophes. Her vision of a pandemic in 2030, describing it as "an unknown virus that will arrive in 2020, peak after reaching its height in April and reappear 10 years later," adds an apocalyptic dimension to her predictions. This ability to foresee future events, combined with the recent decline in tourism in Japan and the debate over the validity of her visions, has made Ryo Tatsuki a central figure in a world captivated by the possibility of the unknown.
Tatsuki herself urges caution, advising people to "not be unnecessarily influenced … and to listen to the opinions of experts." Whether or not her predictions come true, the “New Baba Vanga” phenomenon serves as a reminder of humanity’s enduring fascination with prophecy and our collective vulnerability in the face of natural disasters.
