Yūgo Kobayashi's New Manga Project Delayed Again, Aoashi Brotherfoot Spin-off Moves to Weekly Serialization

There is news that both saddens and excites fans of Aoashi and Aoashi Brotherfoot. Yūgo Kobayashi's long-awaited new manga project has been delayed for the second time. In the same announcement, it was revealed that the series' popular spin-off, Aoashi Brotherfoot, will shift from monthly publication to weekly serialization. Kobayashi stated that with this change, he aims to conclude the spin-off story in six volumes.

As you may recall, Aoashi has been serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits since 2015 and tells the coming-of-age story of young footballer Ashito Aoi. The manga has gained a large fan base both in Japan and internationally, and the anime adaptation released in 2022 only added to its success. Kobayashi's new project was first announced last year but was delayed due to health issues and the busy schedule of Aoashi. While this second delay may worry fans, it is clear that the author's priority remains his current series.

Aoashi Brotherfoot focuses on the story of Shun, the older brother of the main series' protagonist, Ashito. Previously published monthly, the spin-off's shift to a weekly drawing pace will allow the story to progress faster and shorten the waiting time for readers. Kobayashi's plan for a six-volume run indicates that the spin-off will have an independent and compact structure. This ensures that the series remains a side product parallel to the main story without becoming unnecessarily drawn out.

So, what does this news mean for us? While the delay of Kobayashi's new manga is disappointing, the move of Aoashi Brotherfoot to a weekly schedule means we will see plenty of Shun's adventures in the coming months. Furthermore, the author taking care of his health and focusing on his current series will allow for a higher-quality release for both Aoashi and his new project in the long run. A new release date for the new manga is expected to be announced in the coming days; additionally, it has not yet been clarified in which magazine the weekly chapters of Aoashi Brotherfoot will be published. Stay tuned for further updates!