New Manga by Squid Girl Creator Masahiro Anbe: Badokon! – A Girls' Badminton Comedy
The creator of Shinryaku! Ika Musume (Squid Girl), Masahiro Anbe, returns with an exciting new project. The new manga Badokon!, a comedy series revolving around a girls' badminton team, will officially begin serialization on July 23.
According to Anime News Network, Anbe describes this new series as a 'girls' badminton comedy.' Although the exact magazine where the manga will be serialized has not been announced yet, it is likely to appear in Shōnen Gangan or a similar Square Enix magazine. Anbe's previous series Shinryaku! Ika Musume was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 2007 to 2016 and received a well-loved anime adaptation in 2010.
Masahiro Anbe has spent most of his career creating works in the comedy genre. Squid Girl was known for its absurd humor about a squid girl trying to invade the human world. The new series Badokon!, although sports-themed, seems to retain Anbe's characteristic comedic style. Badminton is a popular sport especially among young girls, and this theme is a new area for Anbe. The title 'Badokon' may be a combination of 'badominton' (Japanese for badminton) and 'kon' (girl, child).
This announcement was a big surprise for Squid Girl fans. After finishing Squid Girl in 2016, Anbe took a long break, then published a short sequel series Motto! Ika Musume in 2018 and a music-themed manga Kimi to Watashi no Ongaku in 2020. However, none of them achieved the breakout success of Squid Girl. With Badokon!, Anbe is thought to be aiming for mainstream success again.
The series' start date of July 23 falls in the middle of summer vacation in Japan, a strategic timing to attract young readers. Additionally, badminton's popularity has increased in Japan after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, meaning the series could draw both local and international interest. When the first chapter of Badokon! is released, it is expected to quickly build a fanbase thanks to Anbe's character designs and comedic talent.
Fans are already wondering if the series will receive an anime adaptation. The anime version of Squid Girl was highly acclaimed, and Anbe creating a new universe could be an attractive opportunity for studios. But for now, the best thing to do is wait for the first chapter of Badokon! on July 23. Don't miss official announcements to follow developments!
