A major shift in Japan’s manga industry: the long-running seinen magazine Manga Goraku Special has published its final print issue. Going forward, its serialized manga series will continue digitally on the Goraku Web platform, marking another step in the print-to-digital evolution.
Known for its gritty, adult-oriented storytelling, Manga Goraku Special catered to mature audiences for years, providing a platform for hardboiled drama, yakuza tales, and unconventional character stories. Its closure represents not just the end of a publication, but a broader trend of legacy print manga magazines transitioning to digital media in response to changing readership habits.
The End of an Era and a Digital Rebirth
On May 20, 2025, the final issue of Manga Goraku Special hit shelves in Japan. The publisher, Nihon Bungeisha, confirmed that all ongoing series from the magazine will continue serialization online through its official manga site, Goraku Web. For long-time readers, this announcement brings a bittersweet close to a publication that has run for years as a sister magazine to Weekly Manga Goraku.
The transition reflects broader industry changes, as digital readership surges and print sales decline. Moving to Goraku Web ensures continued access for fans while opening the door to new readers globally. Though the physical magazine is ending, the stories—and their fanbases—live on.
Key Manga Series and Characters to Watch
“Shoku King” by Masaru Miyazaki and Seiju Minato
One of the standout titles of Manga Goraku Special, “Shoku King,” follows Ryoichi, a mysterious culinary genius who solves people’s problems through food. His blend of streetwise empathy and hard-earned wisdom made him a favorite among seinen readers. The series combines gourmet drama with slice-of-life realism, and will now continue its flavorful journey on Goraku Web.
“Gokudou Zankoku Monogatari” (Cruel Tales of the Yakuza)
This anthology-style yakuza series explores brutal morality in the Japanese underworld. Known for its raw, unapologetic storytelling and noir art style, it captures the themes that made Manga Goraku Special unique in the seinen landscape. With its move to digital, the series has the potential to reach new international fans.
What’s Next for Readers and Creators
The migration to Goraku Web is part of a wave of digital adoption that includes other major platforms like Shonen Jump+, Manga Cross, and Comic Days. For fans of Manga Goraku Special, this means uninterrupted access to ongoing stories and potentially more frequent updates.
As Japan’s manga landscape shifts, publishers increasingly invest in digital platforms that allow more flexibility, global outreach, and lower distribution costs. This move aligns with industry realities while preserving what matters most: the manga itself.