Akimine Kamijyō, acclaimed manga artist known for Samurai Deeper Kyo and Code:Breaker, is set to launch a new four-chapter short manga spinoff based on Midori Yūma’s The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride (Kizumono no Hanayome) novel series. The spinoff, titled Sumekuni no Sōheki Kizumono no Hanayome Gaiden (The Imperial Nation’s Peerless Pair The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride Side Story), will begin serialization in the February 2026 issue of Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine, hitting shelves on January 26, 2026.
Delving into the Past: A Prequel Story
The upcoming manga will offer a glimpse into the world of The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride, setting its narrative 15 years prior to the events of the main novel series. Midori Yūma, the original author of the novels, will supervise the manga’s production, ensuring its fidelity to the established lore and characters.
Akimine Kamijyō’s Illustrious Career
Akimine Kamijyō has a distinguished career in the manga industry, with a portfolio of popular works that have garnered significant attention both in Japan and internationally.
Noteworthy Works by Kamijyō
- Samurai Deeper Kyo: serialized from 1999 to 2006 in Weekly Shōnen Magazine, this historical fantasy action series was a breakout hit that also inspired a television anime adaptation. Tokyopop and Del Rey Manga published the series in North America, while Media Blasters released the anime.
- Code:Breaker: Running from 2008 to 2013 in Weekly Shōnen Magazine, Code:Breaker also received an anime adaptation in 2012, which was streamed by Funimation.
- KATANA Beast (Jūshin no Katana): Kamijyō’s most recent work, KATANA Beast, concluded in September 2024. This manga launched simultaneously in Japan’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine and on Kodansha’s K MANGA service in the United States in November 2023.
The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride Franchise
The original The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride novel series by Midori Yūma first saw its debut volume published by Kodansha in October 2023, followed by a second volume in August 2024. A manga adaptation of the novels, illustrated by Mamenosuke Fujimaru, began serialization on Kodansha’s Palcy app in 2023. This adaptation later moved to Kodansha’s digital manga magazine aimed at women readers, ARTEMIS by sirius, upon its launch in May. Both Kodansha USA Publishing and Kodansha’s K MANGA service are publishing Fujimaru’s manga adaptation in English.
Fans of Kamijyō’s distinctive art style and storytelling, as well as enthusiasts of The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride series, have much to anticipate with this upcoming four-chapter prequel.
