Overview of Isekai Manga Cancellations
- The isekai genre faces considerable challenges due to a vast number of narratives and external criticisms that affect story completion.
- Numerous well-known isekai manga have succumbed to cancellation, often due to adverse reception or author health issues, raising concerns for future developments.
- Several promising isekai series were left unfinished for various reasons, leaving fans dissatisfied with incomplete narratives.
Isekai is a captivating manga genre that continuously enchants its readers. The fascination with fantastical worlds and the myriad of unexpected challenges captivates those eager to escape the monotony of everyday life. Yet, the isekai genre proves to be challenging for new entrants due to the overwhelming volume of existing work and frequently differing opinions on what defines a successful isekai narrative.
While some isekai titles achieve remarkable success, many others struggle to match the acclaim of their predecessors. Compounding this, various titles face significant roadblocks to completion, whether due to negative critiques, editorial hurdles, or declining health of the creators. Here, we explore both successful and unsuccessful isekai mangas that may remain unfinished.
1. Another World Nation Archimaira: The Weakest King and His Unparalleled Army
Potential Cancellation Due to Author’s Health
| Japanese Name | Isekai Nation Archipelago: The Battle of Isekai to the Battle of Musashi |
|---|---|
| Creator | Aono Akatsuki (Story), BARZ (Artist) |
| Release Date | 2021-2024 |
| Chapters | 13 |
The story follows Helian, a top player in a nation-building VR game, who finds himself transported into the game where he must navigate a world filled with demons and NPCs. To keep his identity hidden while managing the chaos he inadvertently causes, Helian must leverage clever world-building tactics reminiscent of Overlord.
Currently, Another World Nation Archimaira has released only 13 chapters as the narrative predominantly draws from its Light Novel counterpart. After a disappointing reception post-Volume 3 of the light novel, discussions regarding the possible cancellation of the manga have emerged, driven largely by the artist’s declining health, portending an untimely end for the series.
2. The Killer of the Reincarnated: Cheat Slayer
The Infamous Cancellation After One Chapter
| Japanese Name | Isekai Tenseisha Koroshi – Cheat Slayer |
|---|---|
| Creator | Kawamoto Homura (Author), Yamaguchi Aki (Artist) |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Chapters | 1 |
In Cheat Slayer, protagonist Lute aims to infiltrate a guild of reincarnated individuals while confronting an army led by the villainous demon lord. Unfortunately, the manga faced an abrupt cancellation by Kadokawa after just one chapter, primarily due to its similarities with established isekai titles.
The backlash stemmed from fans who disapproved of the antagonist portrayal of beloved characters from other series. Despite its compelling artistry and innovative character backstories, readers deemed the parody oversaturated. Some expressed a desire to witness the potential growth of the narrative, particularly since many original creators had offered to collaborate further.
3. The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik
Stopped Due to Creative Differences and Retirement
| Japanese Name | Herscherik – The Great Passage |
|---|---|
| Creator | Author: Kusunoki Nobiru, Artist: Kitaguni Rat |
| Release Date | 2018-2020 |
| Chapters | 7 |
The narrative follows Ryouko, who, after her untimely demise on her birthday, gets reincarnated as Prince Herscherik, leveraging her past life knowledge to thwart conspiracies against the crown. The manga, based on a light novel, experienced creative conflicts leading to its discontinuation after minor publication issues.
Sadly, the author ultimately chose to prioritize personal matters over the series, resulting in the cancellation of the manga following a lack of interest and creative discord with the original artist.
4. I Won’t Become a Villainess. I’m Just a “Normal”Duke’s Daughter!
An Unexpected Cancellation of a Fluffy Series
| Japanese Name | I will fight back against the evil spirits! |
|---|---|
| Creator | Mei (Author), Yuhazu (Artist) |
| Release Date | 2020-2022 |
| Chapters | 8 |
After being reincarnated as a villainess in a popular otome game, Rosalind, the protagonist, employs her gaming knowledge to escape her predetermined doom. While the light novel of I Won’t Become a Villainess… gained acclaim, the manga unfortunately stagnated post-2022, reportedly due to the artist’s declining health.
The series was suggested to have been canceled after 11 chapters, with viewers encouraged to explore the ongoing light novel, although hopes for a manga revival remain uncertain.
5. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Ways of the Monster Nation
A Discontinued Spin-Off
| Japanese Name | Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken: How to Arrive in a Country of Thrones |
|---|---|
| Creator | Fuse (Author), Okagiri Sho (Artist) |
| Release Date | 2016-2022 |
| Chapters | 49 |
Set in the familiar universe of Rimuru Tempest, this spin-off of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows the expansion of the Jura-Tempest Federation post-Volume 9 of the light novel series. However, it faced an unexpected cancellation as the author’s health took a downturn, leading to no chances of long-term revival.
6. Log Horizon
Hope or Acceptance of Cancellation?
| Japanese Name | Log Horizon |
|---|---|
| Creator | Touno Mamare (Author), Hara Kazuhiro (Artist) |
| Release Date | 2012-2017 |
| Chapters | 4 |
The acclaimed Log Horizon series skillfully blends action and comedy within a sci-fi fantasy context, capturing the journey of Shirou and his companions in a gaming universe. Although the spin-off mangas gained popularity, progress has stalled significantly following the author’s legal troubles, recently leading to speculation regarding the overall future of the franchise.
While officially stated as “on hold, ” the author is currently under restrictions that hinder any continuation for the light novel, manga, or anime adaptations, leaving fans in a state of uncertainty.
7. I Want to Become the Hero’s Bride
Cancellation That Surprised Many
| Japanese Name | Meeting with Yuusha no Yome |
|---|---|
| Creator | Author: Kanemori Chika, Artist: Yama Tomohiro |
| Release Date | 2020-2021 |
| Chapters | 10 |
For those seeking a lighthearted shoujo isekai, I Want to Become the Hero’s Bride provides a whimsical experience through Berlina’s adventures in a fantasy realm filled with romance and hilarious mischief. Despite its end after only 10 chapters, the story’s charm won over many readers.
Tragically, the series’ cancellation remains unexplained, leaving no avenues open for renewal, neither for the manga nor the novel, which remains unreleased in English as well. Much to the dismay of its followers, the series leaves behind unanswered questions and unfinished plots.
8. The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale
Canceled for Various Reasons
| Japanese Name | Akuyaku Reijou wa Yoru Tsugedori or Mezasu |
|---|---|
| Creator | Sato (Author), Oda Suzuka (Artist) |
| Release Date | 2021-2022 |
| Chapters | 17 |
In The Villainess Who Became a Nightingale, the protagonist seeks a life filled with simple pleasures, only to find herself in a storyline that echoes past literary works. With her nursing skills, she becomes intertwined with a royal family, using her talents to manifest her previous life’s experiences to support others.
Despite its engaging narrative, vibrant art, and lovable characters, the series unfortunately faced cancellation by the publishing house. The artist remains open to collaboration with the author in the future, yet current progress has stalled indefinitely. The Japanese version of the light novel releases have also ceased, with only two volumes available, leaving potential readers with little access.
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