The acclaimed Ultraman manga series, penned by Eiichi Shimizu and illustrated by Tomohiro Shimoguchi, is officially slated to return from hiatus in Spring 2026, commencing its highly anticipated final arc. The announcement came through the 149th chapter of the series, confirming the manga’s conclusion is on the horizon.
Fans have eagerly awaited the continuation of Shinjiro Hayata’s journey as the new Ultraman, as the series approaches its climax.
The Journey to the Final Arc
The Ultraman manga, a sequel to the original 1966 television series, first launched in Monthly Hero’s magazine in 2011. It quickly garnered a dedicated following for its fresh take on the classic hero, focusing on Shin Hayata’s son, Shinjiro, who inherits the “Ultraman Factor” and incredible powers.
The series has seen various shifts in its publication. After Monthly Hero’s ceased publication in October 2020, the manga moved to the Comiplex website in November 2020, where it has continued its serialization. The manga has been collected into 21 tankōbon volumes as of February 2025, with Viz Media handling the North American release.
Previous Hiatuses and Production Insights
The manga has experienced pauses in its serialization before. In February 2019, the series went on a two-month hiatus due to illustrator Tomohiro Shimoguchi’s health issues, with the team gradually returning to their working pace. Such breaks are not uncommon in the manga industry, often allowing creators to manage their workload and health.
Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, known for their work on Linebarrels of Iron, have consistently delivered a compelling narrative and dynamic artwork throughout Ultraman‘s run. Their collaboration has been central to reimagining the Ultraman mythos for a modern audience.
The Anime Adaptation and its Conclusion
In addition to the manga, the Ultraman franchise has seen a successful 3D CG anime adaptation. Co-produced by Production I.G and Sola Digital Arts, the anime first premiered globally on Netflix in April 2019. A second season followed in April 2022, and the third and final season, Ultraman Final, debuted worldwide on Netflix in May 2024.
Notably, the anime’s conclusion predated the manga’s final arc, leading to speculation that Ultraman Final on Netflix might have featured an anime-original ending, given the manga was still ongoing at the time of the anime’s release. The upcoming manga arc will now provide the definitive conclusion to Shimizu and Shimoguchi’s original story.
What to Expect from the Final Arc
While specific plot details for the final arc remain under wraps, the announcement signals that the narrative is building towards its ultimate resolution. Fans anticipate a climactic confrontation as Shinjiro fully embraces his role and confronts the overarching threats introduced throughout the series. With the manga listing chapters up to 152, the story is entering its final stages.
The return of the Ultraman manga in Spring 2026 marks a significant event for its global fanbase, promising a thrilling and definitive conclusion to a beloved modern superhero saga.
