Winds of Farewell in the Manga World: Three Beloved Series Heading Toward Finales and Schedule Changes
This week is quite eventful and a bit bittersweet for manga lovers. As the popular fantasy series I Grew the Greatest Home Garden with my OP Cultivation Skill? and the eagerly followed spin-off of the Hetalia universe come to an end, the action-packed Slasher Maidens series is entering a phase that will keep fans waiting a little longer. These farewells represent both the end of long-running stories and a preparation period for the creators' new projects.
I Grew the Greatest Home Garden with my OP Cultivation Skill? (Saikyou no Nouka Skill de Katei Saien Shitetara...), which began its publication journey on Square Enix’s Manga UP! platform in 2021, officially concluded its nearly three-year adventure as of April 23, 2026. Adapted from Shichio Kuzu’s light novels and illustrated by Suzumi, the series told the story of how 15-year-old Geo transformed into a legend with a seemingly useless ability called "Home Garden." The 8th and final volume of the series is expected to hit shelves soon, featuring special illustrations prepared by the artist Suzumi.
Another farewell comes from Hidekaz Himaruya’s iconic Hetalia universe. Hetalia World Stars Gangsta, a spin-off set in an alternate universe, concluded with its latest chapter. However, the most significant development is that Himaruya has put the entire Hetalia manga franchise on hiatus for an indefinite period. The famous artist announced that he would use this break to compile existing volumes and plan for future new projects. This massive series, which has depicted countries as anthropomorphic characters since 2006, is preparing for a new era with this break.
Finally, there has been a schedule change for Slasher Maidens (Kaijin Reijou), penned by Akame ga Kill! artist Tetsuya Tashiro. The series, which entered its final battle arc with the 11th volume in 2023, will now continue with an irregular release schedule. Tashiro explained that he made this decision after discussions with his editor in order to maintain the quality of the story at its climax. In this dark world where people turn into monsters under extreme stress, the end of the struggle will now appear in less frequent but likely more impactful chapters.
These developments are seen as part of the natural cycle in the manga world. While some stories bid farewell at their peak, others shift gears to deliver the best possible finale, continuing to excite their fans. For followers, it is now time to wait for new announcements to fill the void left by these series and for the special volumes of the works that have concluded.
