Manga artist Hiroshi Tanaka is set to release a new Bad Boys manga series next year, as announced in the 24th issue of Shonengahosha’s Young King magazine on November 21. The upcoming series will focus on a 17-year-old delinquent named Tsukasa Kiriki and unfold as a summer story. This announcement comes alongside the conclusion of Tanaka’s Kippo manga in the same issue.
A Fresh Take on the Delinquent Saga
The new Bad Boys manga will immerse readers in a summer narrative centered on Tsukasa Kiriki, a young delinquent navigating a world where such individuals are fiercely struggling for survival. While specific plot details beyond the protagonist and setting remain under wraps, the return to the Bad Boys universe under Tanaka’s pen is anticipated by fans of the genre.
The End of Kippo and a New Beginning
Coinciding with the exciting news of the Bad Boys revival, the 24th issue of Young King also published the final chapter of Hiroshi Tanaka’s Kippo manga. Kippo, which Tanaka launched in Young King in 2012, is set to have its 30th and final compiled volume published by Shonengahosha on December 22. Crunchyroll previously released Kippo in English.
The Enduring Legacy of Bad Boys
Hiroshi Tanaka’s original Bad Boys manga is a seminal work in the delinquent genre, running in Young King magazine from 1988 to 1996. The series has garnered significant popularity, with its cumulative circulation reaching 55 million copies by 2021, making it one of the best-selling manga series.
Adaptations Across Media
The enduring appeal of Bad Boys has led to multiple adaptations over the years. The manga inspired a five-episode original video anime (OVA) adaptation between 1993 and 1998. Live-action adaptations have also been numerous, including a film in 2011, a 12-episode live-action television series that aired from April to June 2013, and another live-action film in November 2013. Most recently, a new live-action film adaptation starring JO1 boyband member Issei Mamehara premiered on May 30.
Hiroshi Tanaka’s Continued Impact
Born in Hiroshima City on January 9, 1970, Hiroshi Tanaka has been a prominent mangaka for almost four decades, having debuted in 1987 with “FOOL” in Young King. His works are often set in his hometown of Hiroshima, with many characters appearing across multiple series. Beyond Bad Boys and Kippo, his notable works include Bad Boys Glare, Bakugyaku Kazoku, and Megami no Oni. Tanaka’s consistent engagement with the themes of youth and delinquency has solidified his reputation in the manga world, and the announcement of a new Bad Boys series reaffirms his ongoing influence.
