Masashi Ueda's Three Manga Series Come to an End: Otoboke Buchō Dairi, Kariage-kun, and Shin Furiten-kun

An era is coming to an end in the world of manga. Masashi Ueda's three long-running comedy series Otoboke Buchō Dairi, Kariage-kun, and Shin Furiten-kun have bid farewell to their readers with their final chapters published this week. According to Anime News Network, the first two series concluded on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while Shin Furiten-kun will be completed with its final chapter to be published on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Masashi Ueda is a well-known figure in the Japanese manga industry, particularly for his humor-focused works. Kariage-kun began in 1988 and ended after a 38-year journey. The series was known for depicting the funny moments of daily life, often centered around a barbershop. Otoboke Buchō Dairi was another long-running gag series that began in the 1990s, focusing on the “absurd adventures of a section manager.” The third series, Shin Furiten-kun, with its name inspired by mahjong terms, was a production where the world of the game was adapted into comedy and had been meeting with readers since 2002.

This conclusion serves as a major farewell for readers in Japan who are accustomed to the “long-running daily life comedy” genre. Masashi Ueda’s comic style was loved for generations for telling the simple yet equally funny stories of ordinary people. Moreover, although these three series were published in different magazines (such as platforms similar to Weekly Shonen Jump and Young Jump), Ueda’s unique sense of humor maintained a common thread across all his works. Fans have witnessed the final act of an adventure that has continued since the late 80s, especially with the end of Kariage-kun.

So, what happens now? It has not yet been officially announced whether Masashi Ueda is working on a new project. However, the finale of these three series could be a turning point in the mangaka's long career. Considering that Ueda has produced series for years without taking a break in the past, it is likely that he will appear before readers with a new work after a short rest period. Meanwhile, how the tankōbon volumes of these three manga will be collected and whether the finale will be published in a special edition are also being eagerly awaited by followers.