The manga adaptation of Nozomu Mochitsuki’s popular Tearmoon Empire light novel series, illustrated by Mizu Morino, has officially concluded its first part. The milestone was reached with the 46th chapter and the release of its 10th tankōbon volume, which shipped on August 15. Artist Mizu Morino confirmed the development on July 16 via X (formerly Twitter), reassuring fans that the series is slated to continue.
A Princess’s Second Chance: The Tearmoon Empire Story
Tearmoon Empire (full Japanese title: Tearmoon Teikoku Monogatari ~Dantōdai kara Hajimaru, Hime no Tensei Gyakuten Sutōrī~) follows the ambitious and often comically self-serving Princess Mia Luna Tearmoon. After being scorned as a selfish ruler and executed via guillotine at the age of 20, Mia unexpectedly awakens as her 12-year-old self. Armed with her blood-stained diary from the future, which serves as a grim reminder of her impending fate, Mia embarks on a mission to prevent the revolution and her execution.
Her motivations, while seemingly selfless to those around her, are primarily driven by a deep-seated desire to avoid suffering and a second rendezvous with the guillotine. This leads to numerous comedic misunderstandings where Mia’s self-preservation efforts are misinterpreted as acts of profound wisdom and benevolence by her loyal — and often exasperated — subordinates and allies. The series blends elements of fantasy, historical fiction, comedy, and romance, often categorized as a shojo and isekai (reincarnation) story.
From Web Novel to Manga Adaptation
The Tearmoon Empire saga originated as a web novel written by Nozomu Mochitsuki, beginning its serialization on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in August 2018. It was later acquired by TO Books, which began publishing it as a light novel series with illustrations by Gilse in June 2019. The light novel series is ongoing, with 18 volumes released as of August 2025 in Japan, and is licensed in English by J-Novel Club.
The manga adaptation, illustrated by Mizu Morino, launched on the Comic Corona manga website in August 2019. J-Novel Club also holds the English license for the manga. As of its first part’s conclusion, the manga has been collected into ten tankōbon volumes.
What’s Next for the Tearmoon Empire Manga?
While the conclusion of the first part marks a significant break, Mizu Morino’s assurance that the manga will continue is good news for fans. This common practice in the manga industry often allows creators to take a hiatus for planning the next arc, conducting research, or simply taking a well-deserved break before delving into new storylines. It also provides an opportune moment for the light novel to build further content for adaptation.
The narrative of Tearmoon Empire offers ample room for continuation, as Princess Mia’s journey to avoid her fate and inadvertently save her empire is far from over. The light novel itself has progressed through multiple arcs beyond what the manga (and the recently aired anime adaptation) has covered, suggesting a rich source of future material. The anime adaptation, which aired from October to December 2023, covered the first major arc of the light novel, encompassing roughly the first two volumes, and was praised for its satisfying conclusion to that specific storyline while leaving room for more. Fans can anticipate Mia’s continued misadventures as she endeavors to solidify her position and reshape the future to her “selfish” liking, all while being hailed as a brilliant and benevolent leader.
