A Fresh Breath from the Creator of OshiBudo: "Shinkō 2.0" Meets Readers
Hirao Auri, the creator of the globally acclaimed Oshi ga Budōkan Ittekuretara Shinu (If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die) series, has returned with a new project that has fans buzzing. Based on an original concept by Imagawa Kagan, the new manga series titled Shinkō 2.0 (Faith 2.0) officially began its publication on June 26, 2026, on Cygames' digital platform, Cycomi. The author is expected to present the deep themes of devotion familiar from her previous works in a darker and more mysterious atmosphere this time.
Shinkō 2.0 centers on the story of a young girl who lives an emotionally isolated life, feeling no interest or connection toward other people. The story evolves into a completely different dimension when the protagonist meets a figure she views almost like a "god." The series, which focuses on the intersection of the paths of two lonely characters named Ruka and Ten, is described not just as a meeting story, but as a suspense production that explores the characters' search for a "new religion" within their own inner worlds and their devotion that transcends societal norms.
Hirao Auri, the name behind the series, is best known for the OshiBudo series, which was published between 2015 and 2025 and sold over 1 million copies. Having handled idol culture and the psychology of fandom with both a humorous and emotional tone, the author takes her style a step further in this new project. In a statement regarding the series, Hirao said, "I am challenging a new theme this time; I am very excited to be able to freely process the details and emotions that I haven't had the opportunity to draw before in this story." The series editor notes that "even if the story ends with a happy ending for the two characters, it has such a strong gravitational pull that the reader will accept even their straying onto the wrong path."
The Cycomi platform has gained an important place in the manga industry in recent years with the support it provides for original and niche stories under Cygames. While Shinkō 2.0 is seen as one of the most ambitious productions added to the platform's library, Hirao's characteristic and aesthetic drawing style, combined with Imagawa Kagan's fictional depth, promises a jarring experience for readers. Especially for manga lovers interested in character psychology and themes of obsession, this new series is a candidate to be one of the most remarkable debuts of the season.
