Shinya Murata’s action, drama, and supernatural manga series, Blattodea, has officially entered its “final stage,” as announced in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker magazine. The news signals the beginning of the end for the popular series, which has been ongoing since its debut in January 2020.
The Journey of Blattodea
Blattodea, illustrated by Tokisada Hayami, launched in Gangan Joker in January 2020. The manga is a sequel to Murata and Ifuji Shinsen’s Arachnid manga, which ran from 2009 to 2016. Blattodea continues the story of Alice Fujii, a protagonist who has endured significant trauma and now navigates a Japan overrun by “rapist zombies.” The narrative sees Alice, having survived assaults, betrayals, and the loss of her weapon, living alone and battling the infected. The overarching organization seeks to hire her as their new boss, while her allies, Gokiburi and Kabutomushi, search for her.
Key Themes and Genre
The series delves into action, drama, supernatural, and ecchi genres, often featuring dark and psychological elements. Themes such as assassins and intense violence are prevalent, building on the established tone of its predecessor, Arachnid. The manga is serialized in Gangan Joker and has seen seven compiled book volumes released, with the latest volume published in November 2024.
Shinya Murata’s Notable Works
Shinya Murata is a prolific Japanese author and scriptwriter known for his involvement in several dark and action-oriented manga series. His works frequently explore themes of survival, psychological distress, and intense combat.
Arachnid and Other Collaborations
Before Blattodea, Murata gained recognition for Arachnid, which introduced the character of Alice. He also collaborated with Tokisada Hayami on Caterpillar, a manga that concluded in April 2018, and Chōbu no Shinobi (Lepidoptela), which ended in July 2017. Another significant work is Killing Bites, with artist Kazasa Sumita, which inspired a 12-episode television anime adaptation that premiered in January 2018.
The announcement of Blattodea‘s final stage will undoubtedly draw attention as fans anticipate the conclusion of Alice Fujii’s harrowing journey in the bug-infested, zombie-ridden world.
