Shōichi Taguchi’s beloved yuri slice-of-life comedy manga, Futari Escape, has received a special new chapter in a recent issue of Ichijinsha’s Comic Yuri Hime magazine. The surprise release comes as a celebration of the series’ newly premiered live-action television drama adaptation.
The announcement was made by Taguchi himself on his X (formerly Twitter) account. This new installment delights fans of the manga, which originally concluded its serialization in December 2022.
Futari Escape Overview and Plot
Futari Escape (ふたりエスケープ, Futari Esukēpu) follows the endearing daily lives of two young women: one a perpetually stressed-out manga artist (Kouhai) and the other a carefree, jobless slacker (Senpai). The series explores their attempts to navigate and “escape” the burdens and pressures of adult life by finding joy in small, often unconventional, moments together. Their adventures range from splurging on epic meals that put them in debt to embarking on spontaneous day excursions instead of tackling work.
Authored and illustrated by Shōichi Taguchi, the manga was serialized in Ichijinsha’s Comic Yuri Hime from July 18, 2020, to December 16, 2022, and compiled into four tankōbon volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment holds the English-language license for the series in North America, describing it as an “adorable comedy” about relieving life’s pressures through simple pleasures and mutual support.
Live-Action Drama Drives New Content
The catalyst for this unexpected new manga chapter is the live-action television drama adaptation of Futari Escape, which commenced its broadcast run on October 4, 2025. The series airs on TV Osaka and TV Aichi channels in Japan and is also available for streaming on services like Lemino Premium and TVer.
The live-action adaptation stars Renka Iwamoto and Nao Tomisato, both members of the idol group Nogizaka46, in the lead roles of the two protagonists. The drama aims to bring the charming and relatable escapades of Senpai and Kouhai to a wider audience, echoing the manga’s themes of finding happiness amidst the grind of adulthood.
Author Shōichi Taguchi’s Other Works
Shōichi Taguchi is also known for other notable works, including I Sold My Life for Ten Thousand Yen Per Year (Jumyō wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen ni Tsuki, Ichiman’en de.). This manga, an adaptation of Sugaru Miaki’s novel Three Days of Happiness, was serialized on the Shonen Jump+ app and website from August 2016 to October 2017.
The release of this new Futari Escape chapter offers fans an additional glimpse into the world of Senpai and Kouhai, further building on the excitement generated by the live-action drama.
