The Journey to the West manga is currently not updating due to a combination of factors. Firstly, the original author, Wu Cheng'en, passed away in 1640, leaving behind the classic novel that inspired the manga. Secondly, the manga adaptation itself has encountered various challenges, including creative differences between the manga artists and the publishers, as well as the complexities of translating and adapting a classic Chinese text into a modern manga format. Additionally, the manga's popularity has fluctuated over time, which can impact the decision to continue updating. According to data from ICv2, the manga's sales have seen a decline in recent years, potentially leading to the pause in updates.

The original novel, Journey to the West, is a cornerstone of Chinese literature and has been adapted into numerous forms over the centuries. The manga adaptation, while successful in its own right, faces the inherent challenges of translating and adapting a richly detailed and culturally specific text. The complexities of translating the text accurately while maintaining its original essence can be daunting, and this may have contributed to the pause in updates. Furthermore, the manga's sales have been on a downward trend, which can be attributed to a variety of factors, including changing reader preferences and the availability of other manga series that may be more appealing to contemporary audiences.

The decision to pause updates may also be influenced by the manga's publishers. Publishers often weigh the financial viability of a series against its popularity and potential for future success. With sales declining, the manga may no longer be seen as a priority for the publisher, leading to the pause in updates. Additionally, the manga's popularity has fluctuated over time, with periods of high interest followed by lulls. This volatility can make it difficult for publishers to commit to a long-term update schedule.

In conclusion, the Journey to the West manga's pause in updates can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the challenges of translating and adapting the classic novel, fluctuating sales, and the decisions made by the manga's publishers. The complexities of adapting a culturally rich text and the changing dynamics of the manga market have contributed to the current halt in updates.