Roger Dahl Ends 35-Year Japan Times Run for New Adventures

Roger Dahl has spent more than three decades making readers smile with his witty editorial cartoons and "Zero Gravity" comic strip about expat life in Japan. Now he's stepping away from The Japan Times not to retire, but to chase bigger creative dreams.

Since 1991, Dahl's artwork has been a fixture in the newspaper, capturing the humor and quirks of living abroad through his beloved comic strip. His final contribution this month marks the end of an era that spans over 35 years of daily creativity and connection with readers across Japan.

But Dahl isn't putting down his pen. From his Seattle home, he shared what's next: children's books, young adult literature, graphic novels, and even animation.

"One of the biggest factors in moving on from The Japan Times after 35 years is wanting to devote more time to new creative adventures," Dahl explained in a recent interview. His first animation project is already lined up for his church's 125th anniversary celebration.

The Bright Side

What makes this story special isn't just about one artist moving on. It's about someone who spent decades bringing joy to readers now getting the chance to reach new audiences in new ways.

Dahl's leap shows that career chapters can end without everything ending. His Japan Times work built a foundation of storytelling skills that he's now ready to expand into children's literature and animated projects. The same humor that resonated with expat readers will soon delight young readers and viewers.

At an age when many would consider slowing down, Dahl is speeding up. He's learning animation from scratch and exploring formats he's never tried before.

His transition reminds us that endings often make room for beginnings we couldn't have imagined otherwise.