The popular Fūto Tantei manga, a celebrated sequel to the Kamen Rider W tokusatsu series, has officially returned from a brief hiatus, commencing a brand-new arc in April. The series, which had previously entered its “last stage” in January 2024, is now delving deeper into its narrative, as confirmed by its latest developments in Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine.
Hiatus Concludes, New Arc Begins
The Fūto Tantei manga went on hiatus in February and made its anticipated return in April with a new story arc. This follows an announcement in the 11th issue of Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine regarding the temporary pause and subsequent re-launch. The manga had been progressing towards its climax, with its 17th compiled volume indicating the series was nearing its final arc. Shogakukan later released the 18th compiled book volume on March 28.
Delving into the World of Fūto Tantei
Fūto Tantei (also known as FUUTO PI) is a Japanese manga series penned by Riku Sanjō, a pivotal writer for the original Kamen Rider W series, and illustrated by Masaki Satou. The manga serves as a direct sequel to the highly acclaimed 2009 Kamen Rider W live-action show, expanding on its universe and characters. Hideaki Tsukada, a producer from Toei, supervises the manga’s production, with Katsuya Terada credited for creature designs.
The story is set in the wind-swept Fūto city, continuing the adventures of private detectives Shotaro Hidari and his partner Philip. Their investigations often lead them into bizarre incidents, typically involving Dopants—monsters created by Gaia Memories. A significant addition to the narrative is the mysterious character Tokime, whose appearance signals the onset of new challenges and an escalating battle for Kamen Rider W. The manga originally launched in Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine in August 2017.
A Multimedia Franchise: Anime, Film, and Stage
The success of the Fūto Tantei manga has extended beyond the printed page, spawning various adaptations that have further cemented its place within the Kamen Rider franchise.
FUUTO PI Anime Adaptation
An anime television series adaptation, titled FUUTO PI, premiered in August 2022. The series brought the manga’s thrilling detective stories and dynamic action sequences to a global audience, with Crunchyroll streaming the anime across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS regions. The anime project was also part of the broader celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider franchise.
Theatrical Release: Kamen Rider Skull no Shōzō
Further expanding the animated universe, an anime film titled Fūto Tantei: Kamen Rider Skull no Shōzō (FUUTO PI: Portrait of Kamen Rider Skull) had a limited theatrical screening in Japanese cinemas starting November 8, 2024. The film provided additional depth to the Kamen Rider W lore, focusing on the origins of Kamen Rider Skull.
Stage Play Adaptation
The narrative of Shotaro and Philip also transcended into live performance with a stage play adaptation, Fūto Tantei The STAGE. This production ran from December 2022 to January 2023, with performances in both Tokyo and Osaka, showcasing the versatility of the Fūto Tantei story across different media.
As the Fūto Tantei manga continues its new arc, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding mysteries and battles that await Shotaro and Philip in the ever-windy city of Fūto.
