Bkub Okawa, the creator of the surreal comedy manga Pop Team Epic, has announced a change to the series’ update schedule. Starting in June 2025, the manga will no longer be updated daily. Instead, new content will be released on the 15th of each month. This news was shared by Okawa on Friday, May 30, 2025, leaving fans curious about the reasons behind the shift.
What is Pop Team Epic?
Pop Team Epic is a Japanese four-panel surreal comedy webcomic and digital manga series written and illustrated by Bkub Okawa. The series follows the misadventures of two 14-year-old girls, Popuko and Pipimi, as they navigate bizarre and mundane situations with equally bizarre and exaggerated reactions.
Surreal Comedy
The manga is known for its frequent parodies of pop culture and its combination of surrealism, absurdity, and non-sequitur humor, which has garnered a cult following both in Japan and internationally.
Quick Facts About Pop Team Epic:
- Genre: Surreal Comedy
- Author: Bkub Okawa
- Original Run: August 29, 2014 – Present
- Publisher: Takeshobo
- English Publisher: Vertical
The Update Announcement
On May 30, 2025, Bkub Okawa posted an announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the daily updates of Pop Team Epic would cease in June. The manga will now be updated on the 15th of each month.
Okawa’s Statement
Okawa expressed regret for not being able to explain the reason behind the change. The announcement was accompanied by a drawing featuring Popuko in a stroller and Pipimi carrying a Nintendo Switch 2, which is scheduled to launch on June 5.
Fan Speculation
The lack of a clear explanation has led to speculation among fans. Some believe the change may be related to Okawa’s health, as he previously took a hiatus due to feeling unwell. Others speculate that the new Nintendo Switch 2 might be related to future content or collaborations.
History of Pop Team Epic
Pop Team Epic first appeared on Takeshobo’s Manga Life Win website in August 2014. The initial run concluded in 2015, followed by several “seasons” and naming jokes employed by Okawa for subsequent releases.
Manga Seasons:
- Season 1: August 2014 – 2015
- Season 2: February 2016 – April 2017
- Season 3: October 2017 – January 2019
- Season 4: Also ended in January 2019
- Season 5 (“Poputan”): Launched October 2019 (retroactively revealed as Season 5)
- Season 7: Compiled book volume published on July 14, 2023
- Season 8: Started September 1, 2023, but went on hiatus the following month
- Season 9: Launched April 1, 2025
Anime Adaptations
The Pop Team Epic manga has been adapted into a television anime series produced by King Records and animated by Kamikaze Douga. The anime premiered in January 2018, with a second series premiering in October 2022.
Anime Streaming Services
Various streaming services, including HIDIVE, Funimation, Crunchyroll, AsianCrush, and Amazon Prime Video, have streamed the anime. Adult Swim’s Toonami block also began airing the anime in June 2018.
Bkub Okawa’s Other Works
In addition to Pop Team Epic, Bkub Okawa has worked on several other manga series. Okawa launched the Chinchilland manga in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine on September 27.
Other Notable Works by Bkub Okawa:
- Hoshiiro GirlDrop
- Poputan
- Various Fate/Grand Order Comic Anthologies
What This Means for Fans
The shift to monthly updates means fans will need to adjust their expectations for new Pop Team Epic content. While the daily dose of absurdity will be missed, the monthly updates may allow for more elaborate and polished content.
Adapting to the New Schedule
- Mark Your Calendars: Set reminders for the 15th of each month to check for new content.
- Engage with the Community: Discuss theories and expectations with fellow fans online.
- Revisit Old Favorites: Use the time between updates to revisit past chapters and anime episodes.
The Impact of Pop Team Epic
Pop Team Epic has made a significant impact on the comedy manga scene, known for its unique style and humor. The series has garnered a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim for its innovative approach to comedy.
Unique Elements
- Surreal and Absurdist Humor: The series blends surreal situations with absurdist comedy, creating unpredictable and hilarious scenarios.
- Pop Culture Parodies: Frequent parodies of pop culture provide a layer of meta-commentary that resonates with audiences.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: The characters often break the fourth wall, adding to the series’ self-aware and comedic nature.
Final Thoughts
While the change in update schedule for Pop Team Epic may come as a surprise to fans, the series remains a beloved and influential work in the comedy manga genre. The monthly updates may bring new opportunities for creativity and engagement, ensuring that Pop Team Epic continues to delight and confound audiences for years to come. Whether this change will affect the anime adaptation remains to be seen, but fans are eagerly awaiting new content and developments in the Pop Team Epic universe.
