Yukinobu Hoshino’s highly anticipated manga Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen will take a brief break, leaving mystery enthusiasts on edge. The hiatus is set for one month, with a return scheduled for July 10. Fans are buzzing over the promise of vibrant new color pages upon resumption.
In this special Sekai-hen (“world edition”) spin‑off of Munakata Kyōju Ikouroku, acclaimed manga artist Yukinobu Hoshino continues to explore folklore and mystery through the enigmatic Professor Munakata. The chapters blend cultural mythos with cryptic investigations as Munakata and his allies traverse strange realms beyond our everyday world. Following a compelling run of serialized chapters, the series pauses temporarily to maintain quality and pacing.
Official Announcement & Return Date
Shogakukan’s Big Comic magazine announced that Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen will observe a one-month hiatus after its latest installment. Publication will resume in the magazine’s 15th issue on July 10, 2025. The break reportedly gives the creative team time to prepare new content, including full-color pages, ensuring the return is worth the wait.
Why the Hiatus
A one-month pause isn’t unusual in the manga industry, but when it involves sequels or spin-offs like this one, readers often worry about delays. In this case, the break signals a dedication to quality. Hoshino is known for detailed artwork and atmospheric storytelling, and the commitment to adding color pages suggests a celebration of the series’ next arc. The hiatus may also align the publication schedule to support production workflow and artist well-being.
Did-You-Know Highlights
- Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen returns on July 10, 2025, in Big Comic issue #15.
- New chapters will include vibrant color pages—something fans are eagerly awaiting.
- Builds on the original Munakata Kyōju Ikouroku, with Professor Munakata unraveling supernatural mysteries across parallel worlds.
- Yukinobu Hoshino, renowned for 2001 Nights and Munakata Kyouju Ikouroku, won excellence prizes and is celebrated for sci-fi and folklore-infused storytelling.
- Month-long manga hiatuses are common, often used for quality control, artist rest, or editorial planning.
- The blend of myth, mystery, and philosophical depth gives the series long-term relevance—new readers can jump in later without needing full backstory.
Character Summaries
Professor Munakata
A world-weary folklorist and investigator of the supernatural, Professor Munakata began his journey in Munakata Kyouju Ikouroku. Known for his calm intellect and unwavering curiosity, he navigates mysterious realms and collects folklore artifacts. His deep knowledge of myths and spiritual lore anchors the narrative, making him a compelling guide for readers exploring strange, alternate universes.
Yayoi (新 character)
Introduced in Sekai-hen, Yayoi is Munakata’s young apprentice and ideological foil. With a fresh, optimistic outlook, she challenges the professor’s stoic confidence, urging him to re-examine forgotten legends. Their dynamic injects emotional resonance and intergenerational tension into the series, making the world feel lived-in and emotionally complex.