The manga adaptation of Rinne Ishida and Izumi’s Matsurika Kanriden (The Tale of the Scholar-Official Matsurika) light novel series has concluded its first part. Waka Takase’s manga, serialized in Akita Shoten’s Monthly Princess magazine, published its final chapter for this segment in the November issue, which was released on Monday, October 7th. A second part for the popular fantasy romance series is scheduled to debut sometime next year.
Details on the Manga’s Conclusion and Future Plans
The announcement of the first part’s conclusion came from the November issue of Monthly Princess magazine. Fans can anticipate the continuation of Matsurika’s story with the second part slated for release in 2026. This news follows the recent announcement of an upcoming television anime adaptation for the light novel series, further expanding the franchise’s reach.
The Matsurika Kanriden manga by Waka Takase began its serialization in Akita Shoten’s Monthly Princess magazine in August 2018. The 11th compiled book volume of the manga was released on April 16, and the 12th volume is set to be published on October 16.
The Story of Matsurika Kanriden
The Matsurika Kanriden series is a fantasy romance deeply inspired by Chinese history. It centers on a court lady named Matsurika, who serves in the emperor’s inner palace and is renowned for her exceptional memory.
The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Matsurika is unexpectedly asked to act as a practice partner for a marriage meeting for the son of a noble house. To her surprise, the “noble scion” turns out to be Emperor Hakuyō himself. The emperor is immediately smitten with Matsurika and instructs her to seek him out once she has successfully passed the state’s scholar-official civil service exam, setting the stage for a unique “Chinese-style Cinderella story.”
Origins in Light Novels and Upcoming Anime
The original Matsurika Kanriden light novel series, written by Rinne Ishida with illustrations by Izumi, first began publication in July 2017 under Enterbrain’s B’s Log Bunko imprint. As of April 15, 2025, seventeen volumes of the light novel series have been released.
In addition to the ongoing manga, the novels are inspiring an upcoming television anime adaptation. The anime adaptation was officially announced on October 1, 2025. This expansion into animation highlights the growing popularity and appeal of the Matsurika Kanriden narrative.
