Written by Tsukasa Monma and illustrated by Shikako, the Manga series Manchuria Opium Squad went on indefinite hiatus in late 2025 following Shikako’s death from illness, leaving many fans devastated.
Weekly Young Magazine announced on September 27 that the series will resume in Issue 45, scheduled for release on October 5. Artwork duties will be taken over by Manga artist Tsurushima (@tsurushimagum), who worked alongside Shikako during their time as assistants on Kingdom.
The Young Magazine editorial team announced: “Manchuria Opium Squad will resume serialization beginning with the next issue of Young Magazine, Issue 45, on sale October 5. We sincerely apologize for keeping readers waiting so long. Before his death, Shikako expressed his wish that ‘even if I am no longer here, I hope a successor can be found so the series can continue.’”
Explaining how the new artist was selected, the editors said: “As we worked to honor that wish and find a successor, we reached out to Tsurushima. He and Shikako worked together as assistants on Kingdom, and he has previously created works for Young Magazine including Shikyuuji: There Is No Tomorrow for High School Baseball Players and Gokuaku Tensei. Tsurushima has now agreed to take over the artwork for this series.”
The editorial team acknowledged the scale of the challenge: “Taking up both the world Shikako created and the pen he left behind is by no means an easy task. Even so, Tsurushima has approached the series with tremendous skill and extraordinary passion, and the entire editorial team is deeply grateful.”
▼ Shikyuuji: There Is No Tomorrow for High School Baseball Players, illustrated by Tsurushima
The first installment in the comeback issue, Chapter 216, will run for 12 pages. The editors explained: “The chapter was originally planned to be 16 pages long, but Shikako completed only 11 pages before his death. We were determined to bring every one of those pages to readers.” To make that possible, original creator Tsukasa Monma reworked the concept for a character-free 12th page, while the assistants who had supported Shikako on the series helped complete its backgrounds. Their combined efforts made it possible to finish Chapter 216 for publication.
The editors added: “We hope readers will take in every panel of the final 11 pages that Shikako poured all his strength into completing. Beginning with Chapter 217, Manchuria Opium Squad will take its first step into a new era with artwork by Tsurushima.” Both Chapters 216 and 217 will therefore appear together in the next issue.
Discussing the new production setup, the editorial team said: “While carefully preserving Shikako’s distinctive character designs, the new artwork also brings the unmistakable force of Tsurushima’s style. From the rich range of expressions and powerful double-page spreads to the weight that fills every panel, every detail reflects his determination and passion for carrying this series forward. The finished pages are exceptional.”
“When we received the completed Chapter 217, we were overwhelmed by the quality of the artwork. At the same time, we found ourselves moved not only as editors, but as readers: ‘We finally get to see these characters again.’ We are truly grateful to be able to bring readers the next part of their story.”
The editorial team also thanked everyone who helped make the series’ return possible: “This serialization could only resume because of Shikako’s family and friends; Tsurushima, who accepted the immense responsibility of carrying on his final wish; original creator Tsukasa Monma, who expressed his determination to finish the story for Shikako; the assistants who supported production; and the readers who continued to believe the series would return and waited all this time. It was made possible by the dedication and efforts of so many people.Above all, we once again offer our deepest respect and gratitude to Shikako. Today’s outcome was only possible because he continued to believe that this series should have a future and left behind his wish to entrust it to a successor.”
As for what lies ahead, the editors teased: “The current arc of Manchuria Opium Squad is rapidly approaching its climax—and beyond that, an entirely new setting awaits. As Manchuria Opium Squad takes this new step forward, we hope readers will continue to support the series.”
For fans of Manchuria Opium Squad, finding an artist capable of following Shikako’s fiercely distinctive and instantly recognizable style was never going to be easy.
However, Tsurushima shares the same background as Shikako, having worked alongside him as an assistant on Kingdom, while also bringing a bold visual identity of his own. Finding a successor with that kind of connection is no small feat—and once Manchuria Opium Squad resumes, fans will finally be able to follow the story into its next chapter.
via： X@【公式】『満州アヘンスクワッド』