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Despite the controversy surrounding its author,Rurouni Kenshinis considered one of the best anime series of all time. Upon the completion of the first manga, the author began covering the other arcs. The Hokkaido arc is the sequel to the original manga.
However, the manga has been on break since June 2024 due to Nobuhiro Watsuki’s poor health. Readers who are interested in following thestory of Himura Kenshin will behappy to know that the story is making a comeback in Spring 2025. This is likely because of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s improving health.
How Did Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc Come About
Back in 1999, Nobuhiro Watsuki revealed that he had some ideas for a sequel that would be set in Hokkaido. In 2012, he talked about how he wanted to draw the Hokkaido arc before the Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration. But he dropped the idea altogether.
Nobuhiro Watsuki was ultimately convinced to start work on the sequelafter seeing the Rurouni Kenshinmusical. Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc finally started serializing in Jump Square in September 2017. It was promoted around Shinjuku Station with the help of posters.
But, just two months into publication, Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc was suspended by Shueisha. The company decided to take action after Nobuhiro Watsuki was found in possession of indecent material. The news shocked the world as the author was heralded as one of the best mangaka in the world. He also served as the mentor of other famous manga authors.
What should have been a career-ending event turned into afew-month suspension for Nobuhiro Watsukias he returned to drawing in July 2018. Since then, the series has gone on a few breaks, but mainly due to the author’s health.
Rurouni Kenshin Is Among The Best-Selling Manga Series
Rurouni Kenshin began serializing in April 1994. It went on for 255 chapters, finally ending in 1999. All chapters were then compiled into 28 volumes. Rurouni Kenshin has performed incredibly well in terms of sales. It has sold over 72 million copies, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
Rurouni Kenshin’s anime adaptationbegan airing in January 1996, and it finished in 1998. It was a collaborative effort between different studios. The second anime adaptation by Liden Films was announced in December 2021. The first season was released in July 2023, and it went on till December 2023.The second season aired inOctober 2024.
