Author Gosho Aoyama’s health concerns have forced him to take a break from publishing long-running Japanese serial comic Detective Conan. The announcement came on Wednesday in the latest issue of Weekly Shōnen Sunday.

"(Detective Conan) will be on hiatus for the foreseeable future so that I can recover from illness and rest up," said Aoyama. "I'll be taking a break for a while, but please keep an eye out for my return," he added.

The author recently made the 1008th chapter of the manga, as well as a new feature film. There is currently no confirmed date for the resumption of the manga. As of April this year, it has sold over 200 million books.

The comic has been running in the weekly magazine since 1994, and centers on a talented high school detective who shrinks into a young boy after being forced to ingest an experimental toxin.

By using the alias Conan Edogawa, the hero continues to solve mysteries while enrolled at a local elementary school.

The comic enjoys popularity in Japan and abroad with translations available in over two dozen languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Spanish and English with the title "Case Closed".

It has also been adapted into an animated series running since 1996 as well as feature films since 1997, video games and live action television specials.