Masahito Soda, the acclaimed manga artist behind the popular series “Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M,” is set to debut a new motorsports-themed manga in Spring 2026. The as-yet untitled series will be serialized in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior magazine. This announcement comes as Soda’s current work, “Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange,” recently entered a hiatus.
Masahito Soda’s Return to the Racetrack
The upcoming motorsports manga marks a significant return to the racing world for Masahito Soda, who is well-known for his engaging sports narratives. His previous work, “Capeta,” a shonen manga centered on kart racing and eventually Formula 3, garnered critical acclaim and won the Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Shōnen Manga category in 2005. “Capeta” ran from 2003 to 2013 and inspired a 52-episode anime series. This background suggests a deep understanding and passion for the intricate world of motorsports, promising an authentic and thrilling new series for fans.
The Legacy of “Firefighter! Daigo”
Masahito Soda is widely celebrated for “Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M,” a drama and thriller series that was serialized in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday from 1995 to 1999. The manga, which follows rookie firefighter Daigo Asahina, won the 42nd Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category in 1996 and had over 14 million copies in circulation by December 2022. It also inspired an anime film in 1999 and a live-action television drama in 2004.
A sequel, “Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange,” began serialization in Kodansha’s Monthly Shōnen Magazine in October 2020. This sequel, which features new characters and continues the firefighting legacy, recently went on an indefinite hiatus, with the last announcement made in October 2025. The transition to a new project following this hiatus highlights Soda’s continuous creative output and willingness to explore diverse themes.
Anticipation for the New Series
Fans and industry observers are keenly anticipating Masahito Soda’s new motorsports manga. Given his track record of creating compelling narratives with detailed and well-researched subject matter, the upcoming series is expected to offer a fresh and exciting perspective on the world of racing. The serialization in Big Comic Superior, a seinen manga magazine, suggests that the new title might cater to a slightly older demographic, potentially allowing for more complex themes and character development within the motorsports genre. The official title and further details are expected to be revealed closer to its Spring 2026 launch.
