The popular Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc manga will once again go on hiatus, with its next chapter not appearing until the March 2026 issue of Shueisha’s Jump SQ. magazine. This latest break comes after a period of intermittent serialization, primarily attributed to the ongoing health issues of creator Nobuhiro Watsuki.
Latest Hiatus Details and Schedule
According to an announcement in the December issue of Jump SQ., the Hokkaido Arc will be absent from the magazine until its March 2026 installment. This follows a brief return to serialization on September 4, 2025, after a one-month break in August 2025. Prior to that, the manga had resumed in the August 2025 issue (released July 4, 2025) after a more significant hiatus that began with the June 2024 issue.
Creator’s Health as Primary Concern
The primary reason for these recent and extended breaks has been cited as Nobuhiro Watsuki’s poor physical health. Staff at Jump SQ. stated in September 2024 that the manga’s hiatus would continue for a while to allow Watsuki a period of rest, aiming for a stable and continuous resumption of serialization once his health improves. While no specific ailments have been disclosed, the editorial department and Watsuki have collectively decided that recuperation is necessary.
A History of Pauses for the Hokkaido Arc
The Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc, a direct sequel to the original beloved series, began its monthly serialization in Jump SQ. in September 2017, with Watsuki’s wife, Kaworu Kurosaki, credited as a story consultant. However, its publication history has seen several interruptions.
Noteworthy Previous Hiatuses
One of the most significant breaks occurred shortly after its launch, in December 2017, when Watsuki was charged with possession of child pornography. Serialization for the Hokkaido Arc resumed in June 2018 following this controversy. The series also went on a hiatus in June 2021, resuming again in August of that year.
The Enduring Legacy of Rurouni Kenshin
Nobuhiro Watsuki’s original Rurouni Kenshin manga, which debuted in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1994, has achieved immense success with over 72 million copies in circulation worldwide. The franchise follows Himura Kenshin, a former deadly assassin seeking atonement in Meiji-era Japan. Its enduring popularity has led to numerous adaptations, including a 95-episode TV anime, an anime film, several original video anime projects, five live-action films, and a stage musical. A new anime adaptation of the main manga series premiered its first season in July 2023, with a second season (“Kyoto Disturbance”) airing in October 2023, and a third season also confirmed.
Fans worldwide eagerly await Watsuki’s return to good health and the continuation of Kenshin’s journey through Hokkaido. The manga is currently slated to resume with the March 2026 issue of Jump SQ.
