Manchuria Opium Squad to Resume in October With New Artist Tsurushima After Shikako’s Death

Manchuria Opium Squad, written by Tsukasa Monma, will resume serialization in Issue No. 45 of Weekly Young Magazine, which goes on sale October 5. The manga had been on an extended hiatus following the death of artist Shikako from choroidal malignant melanoma on November 8, 2025, at the age of 37. Manga artist Tsurushima, a senior colleague from Shikako’s days working as an assistant on Kingdom, will take over the artwork.

The returning issue will feature two chapters. The first will be Chapter 216, which contains the final pages drawn by Shikako, while the second will be Chapter 217, drawn by Tsurushima.

Tsurushima Takes Over the Artwork

The Young Magazine editorial department explained, “We have decided to resume serialization of Manchuria Opium Squad beginning with the next issue of Young Magazine, Issue No. 45, which goes on sale October 5. We sincerely apologize for keeping readers waiting for such a long time. Before passing away, Shikako sensei left us with the wish that ‘even after I am gone, I want you to find a successor and continue the serialization.’”

Regarding the selection of Shikako’s successor, the editorial department said, “In honoring that wish and searching for an artist who could carry on the work, Tsurushima sensei agreed to take over the artwork. Tsurushima sensei was a senior colleague of Shikako sensei from the time Shikako worked as an assistant on Kingdom, and has previously worked with Young Magazine on Shikyuji: Koko Kyuji ni Ashita wa Nai and Gokuaku Tensei.

“Taking over the world Shikako sensei created and carrying on that artistic legacy is by no means an easy task. Even so, the entire editorial department is deeply grateful to Tsurushima sensei for approaching this work with proven skill and extraordinary passion.”

Chapter 216 Includes Shikako’s Final Pages

Chapter 216, which will appear in the first half of the returning issue, will be 12 pages long.

The editorial department explained, “Originally, this chapter was planned to consist of 16 pages, but Shikako sensei completed 11 pages before passing away. We wanted to find a way to deliver every one of those pages to readers.

“For that reason, Monma sensei newly restructured page 12 so that no characters would appear on it, and the assistants who had supported the series under Shikako sensei drew the background artwork. That is how Chapter 216, which will be published this time, was completed.

“We hope readers will take in, panel by panel, the 11 pages that Shikako sensei drew with the last of their strength. Then, beginning with Chapter 217, Manchuria Opium Squad will take a new step forward with artwork by Tsurushima sensei.”

The next issue will therefore feature both Chapter 216 and Chapter 217.

Editorial Department Praises Tsurushima’s New Artwork

Speaking about the series under its new creative structure, the editorial department said, “While carefully preserving the distinctive character designs created by Shikako sensei, the artwork now also incorporates Tsurushima sensei’s own powerful style.

“The wide range of facial expressions, the impact of the double page spreads, and the sense of weight that fills every panel all convey Tsurushima sensei’s determination and passion to inherit this work. The completed manuscript is truly remarkable.

“When we received the completed Chapter 217, we were overwhelmed by the quality of the artwork. At the same time, even before thinking as editors, we found ourselves becoming emotional simply as readers at the thought, ‘We get to see these characters again.’

“We are truly happy to once again be able to bring the continuation of this story to everyone.”

Editorial Department Thanks Everyone Who Made the Return Possible

The editorial department also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in making the series’ return possible.

“This resumption of serialization was made possible through the feelings and efforts of many people, including Shikako sensei’s family, Tsurushima sensei, who accepted this major responsibility while carrying the wishes of a late friend, Monma sensei, who said that for Shikako sensei’s sake, he wanted to see this story through to the very end, the assistants who contributed their efforts to the production, and the readers who continued waiting and believing that the series would return.

“Above all, we once again offer our deepest respect and gratitude to Shikako sensei, who wished for the future of this work and left behind the desire to entrust it to a successor.”

The Tsitsihar Arc Approaches Its Climax

Regarding the story’s future, the editorial department said, “The Tsitsihar Arc of Manchuria Opium Squad is finally approaching its climax, and a new setting awaits beyond it.

“To everyone who openly called for the series to return, and to everyone who quietly continued supporting it in their hearts, thank you very much.

“Together with Monma sensei and Tsurushima sensei, the entire editorial department will devote itself fully to answering those feelings with an even more compelling story.

“We hope you will continue to support Manchuria Opium Squad as it takes this new step forward.”

About Manchuria Opium Squad

Manchuria Opium Squad begins with the words, “Here in Manchuria, the cheapest thing you’ll find is a person’s life.”

Set in 1937, the story follows Isamu Higata, who arrives in Manchuria as a soldier in the Kwantung Army. After losing the sight in his right eye on the battlefield, he is deemed an “unusable soldier” and reassigned to an agricultural volunteer unit responsible for producing food for the military.

Although he spends his days being abused by his superior officers, he one day notices poppies, the raw material used to make opium, growing in a corner of the farm. Desperate to save his sick mother, Isamu becomes involved in the illegal production of opium. That decision sends both his own fate and the fate of Manchuria in an unexpected direction.

The series began serialization on Kodansha’s Comic DAYS in April 2020 before moving to Weekly Young Magazine in September 2021.

Following the death of artist Shikako in November 2025, the series went on an extended hiatus. At the time, the editorial department explained that Shikako had told them before passing away, “If anything happens to me, I want you to find another artist and complete the story.”

The editorial department added, “Although we have not yet decided who will take over the artwork, we intend to carry on Shikako sensei’s wishes and guide Manchuria Opium Squad through to its conclusion.”

Source : ORICON NEWS