Furumachi’s Dr. Muscle Beetle manga, a collaboration with Uoto, concluded its run in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine on May 8, 2025. The manga launched earlier this year on January 23 and published its first compiled book volume on April 8.
The Story of Mamoru Genki
Dr. Muscle Beetle centers on Mamoru Genki, a macho young man driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to protect others. However, he finds himself plagued by debt and entangled with a loosely organized crime gang, forcing him into desperate situations. In a twist of fate, Mamoru and his fellow gang members target an insect museum owned by an elderly professor whom Mamoru had just met and vowed to protect.
Cornered and pushed to his limits, Mamoru unleashes the true potential of his well-trained body, striving to uphold his ideal of safeguarding those around him. This sets the stage for a unique and action-packed narrative blending themes of heroism, debt, and the power of the human body, with a touch of insect-inspired mayhem.
The Minds Behind the Manga
The manga is a collaborative effort between Furumachi, the artist, and Uoto, who is credited with the original concept for the first volume.
- Furumachi: Furumachi is a manga artist known for Lemon Ero and Hisokani Asare (The Poachers), the latter of which ran from May 2022 to February 2024 on Shogakukan’s Manga ONE and Ura Sunday services, resulting in five compiled volumes.
- Uoto: Uoto gained significant recognition for Chi: On the Movements of the Earth, which ran in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Spirits from September 2020 to April 2022. The series was licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment and won the Grand Prize for the 26th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize awards in April 2022, with Uoto being the youngest ever to receive the award at 24 years old. Chi was also nominated for the 68th Shogakukan Manga Awards in 2022 and ranked #22 in Da Vinci’s “Book of the Year” manga list in the same year. An anime adaptation of Chi: On the Movements of the Earth premiered on October 5 and streamed on Netflix and ABEMA. Furthermore, Uoto’s 100 Meters (Hyakuemu) manga is set to inspire an upcoming anime film premiering in Japan on September 19, with GKIDS planning to screen it in North American theaters in October.
What is Weekly Shōnen Champion?
Dr. Muscle Beetle was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion, a manga magazine first published on July 15, 1969. The magazine is published every Thursday by Akita Shoten.
Weekly Shōnen Champion has been the home to numerous popular series by renowned manga artists, including Osamu Tezuka, Go Nagai, Shinji Mizushima, Masami Kurumada, and Keisuke Itagaki.
A “Hyper Pop Insect Apocalypse”
Early descriptions of Dr. Muscle Beetle referred to it as a “hyper pop insect apocalypse.” The story combines the idealism of a macho young man striving for world peace with the expertise of a retired insect expert, as they confront their personal shortcomings. This unique blend of elements promised a fresh and engaging narrative.
Reception and Early Conclusion
Despite the creative team and intriguing premise, Dr. Muscle Beetle concluded relatively quickly. The reasons behind the manga’s early ending remain unclear. Some speculate about potential creative differences between Uoto and Furumachi, while others suggest that the series may not have resonated with readers as expected. Some fans have expressed disappointment over the series’ cancellation and curiosity about the reasons behind Uoto’s apparent disassociation from the project after the first volume.
The Legacy of Uoto
Even with the short run of Dr. Muscle Beetle, Uoto remains a celebrated figure in the manga world. Chi: On the Movements of the Earth has received high praise and accolades. The series follows the story of a young boy in medieval Poland who becomes fascinated with astronomy and challenges the geocentric view of the universe.
Uoto’s work often explores complex themes with depth and sensitivity, earning him a dedicated following. His unique storytelling and artistic vision continue to make a significant impact on the manga landscape.
Niigata: A City of Manga
Both Furumachi and Uoto contribute to the vibrant manga culture in Japan. Niigata, in particular, is known as a “Manga Kingdom.” The city is home to the Niigata City Manga House, which showcases the region’s rich manga and anime heritage. The Manga House features exhibits, a library of over 10,000 manga books, and workshops on manga creation. The facility aims to support aspiring manga artists and promote manga culture to future generations. Niigata also has a “Manga Street” lined with statues of characters from local manga artist Shinji Mizushima’s Dokaben.
