After almost 12 years, Houseki no Kuni has come to an end

The most recent issue of Monthly Afternoon magazine published the final chapter of the manga written and illustrated by Haruko Ichikawa, "Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous)". This popular manga series has been renowned for its fascinating world of anthropomorphic gems and deep storytelling. Since its debut in the pages of the magazine, "Houseki no Kuni" captivated a wide audience both in Japan and abroad, gaining numerous followers for its originality and stunning artistry.

The work experienced multiple suspensions since the publication of Chapter 95 in December 2020. After a lengthy hiatus, it resumed publication with Chapter 96 in June 2022, only to be suspended again at different periods for several months. It was rumored that the continuous pauses in the work were due to the author's interest in playing PlayStation 5. Interestingly, in Chapter 95, the same one in which the suspensions began, Ichikawa revealed in a note on the side that he had purchased his new console.

Despite all these suspensions, the author's comment in this final chapter implies that she managed to finish the manga's story just as she had it in mind: "This is the last chapter of 'Houseki no Kuni'. Thank you very much for these 12 years. It was interesting to draw and I'm glad I was able to finish it in time."

In addition to its success in the manga, "Houseki no Kuni" was adapted into an acclaimed anime series in Fall-2017 (October-December). The adaptation received praise for its gorgeous animation by Studio Orange and its faithful depiction of the vibrant and mysterious world created by Ichikawa. This series attracted an even wider fan base, cementing the work's popularity and impact on the anime and manga community.

The multiple suspensions the manga experienced since December 2020 had led fans to speculate about a possible cancellation, although the author's comment would take this possibility off the table. It is worth mentioning that the possibilities of a second season for the anime adaptation are buried with this news, since the intention of a production is to promote a manga in serialization.

Source: Comic Natalie