Maria Holic Returns After 12 Years with Sequel Series
Maria Holic is officially back! The beloved comedy manga by Minari Endo is preparing to return to shelves with a new sequel series after a full 12-year hiatus. According to the announcement made on August 25, 2026, the new series will take place exactly 12 months after the point where the original story ended.
The original Maria Holic manga was serialized in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive magazine from June 2006 to November 2014, spanning 14 volumes in total. The series focused on the absurd and chaotic relationship between Kanako Miyamae, who attends the Catholic school Ame no Kisaki and is allergic to men, and Mariya Shido, who appears to be the school's idol but is actually a sadistic cross-dresser. The series, which received a two-season anime adaptation by studio Shaft under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo in 2009 and 2011, became one of the most memorable comedies of its era thanks to its distinctive visual language and rapid-fire dialogue.
The announcement of the new sequel series came as a big surprise to fans, as the franchise had been completely silent since the manga ended in 2014. According to Anime News Network, the continuation will take place one year after the original finale. This time skip means we'll see how Kanako continues her school life as a second-year student and how her strange yet hilarious dynamic with Mariya has evolved. No clear schedule has been shared yet regarding whether the new series will again be published in Monthly Comic Alive or whether Endo will move to an entirely new magazine, but the project being described directly as a sequel confirms that it will continue the main story from where it left off, rather than being a spin-off.
This return also stands out as part of the nostalgic revival trend we've seen frequently in recent years. Minari Endo took a long break after Maria Holic and did not launch a new series during that time. The creator returning to the same universe after 12 years shows both that the series still has a strong fan base in Japan and that the publisher is investing once again in its archive titles. The return of Maria Holic, which gained a cult following abroad especially through the Shaft anime, excites old fans who love yuri and gender-bender comedy, while also offering a great opportunity for a new generation of readers to discover the series.
For now, there is no official announcement regarding the sequel series' release date, chapter count, or a possible new anime adaptation. However, more details, the first promotional visual, and a definite release schedule are expected to be shared from the mangaka and publisher in the coming weeks. We'll be keeping a close eye on developments!
