Haruka Nanase’s manga, Waiting for the Sunlight (陽光ヲ待ツ, Youkou o Matsu), is set to publish its final chapter on October 23, marking an end to its serialization on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ platform. The series, which began earlier this year, has been simulpublished in English on MANGA Plus, drawing readers into a historical narrative set against the backdrop of World War II.
A Brief but Impactful Serialization
Waiting for the Sunlight first launched on January 2, 2025, quickly gaining attention for its unique premise and historical setting. The manga has been released bi-weekly, with new chapters arriving on Wednesdays. Its conclusion in October means the series will have run for approximately ten months.
The Story of Yoko Matsubara
The manga is set in the summer of 1940, in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, a region renowned for its pottery. The story centers on Yoko Matsubara, a talented young girl with aspirations of becoming a ceramic artist. However, her dreams unfold as she remains largely unaware of the looming horrors of World War II, which gradually encroach upon her life and community.
The narrative specifically commemorates the 80th anniversary of World War II, presenting an “untold account of life during the war” through the lens of ordinary citizens. Early chapters depict Yoko’s family suffering from the war, including the death of her father in Manchuria and her mother more recently. She moves in with relatives and finds that her pottery master is forced to create kitchen utensils for the war effort instead of traditional Shigaraki ware. The manga also touches upon the darker aspects of wartime ceramics, including their potential use in weapons.
Haruka Nanase’s Work
Haruka Nanase is credited with both the story and art for Waiting for the Sunlight. While this series is a historical drama, Nanase’s previous works, as listed on MangaUpdates, include genres such as comedy, doujinshi, and shoujo ai, indicating a versatile creative range. The concluding Waiting for the Sunlight offers a poignant exploration of how global conflicts impact individual lives and artistic pursuits.
Fans can read the final chapter of Waiting for the Sunlight on October 23 via Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ and MANGA Plus platforms.
