Fans of Himura Kenshin will need to wait a bit longer for his next adventure. The Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc manga is currently on a publishing hiatus. The official announcement confirmed the series will return in the March 2026 issue of Jump SQ magazine, which will be released in February 2026. This break was taken due to health-related problems for the author, providing him with necessary time to recuperate.
The Reason for the Hiatus
The hiatus for the Hokkaido Arc was announced in the December 2025 issue of Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine. The primary reason for this break is the poor health of the manga’s creator, Nobuhiro Watsuki. This is not the first time the series has been paused for the author’s well-being. The decision to suspend the monthly serialization shows a priority for the author’s health and a commitment to the quality of the publication. The publisher, Shueisha, has clarified that the editorial team has already begun work on the next chapter.
What to Expect When the Manga Returns
When the series resumes in March 2026, it will continue directly from the events of Chapter 57. The story will pick up with Kenshin facing off against a new Hokkaido government faction, while also continuing the subplot involving Asahi Kujiranami. Editorial sources have suggested that the upcoming part of the story will serve as a narrative transition, potentially moving the manga toward its final arc. Readers can expect a direct continuation of the story, maintaining the same pacing, tone, and detailed art that the series is known for. The return will also be supported by the editorial preparation of volumes 10 and 11 of the manga, which are scheduled for release in mid-2026.
A Look at the Hokkaido Arc’s Journey
The Hokkaido Arc is the first major storyline to continue the Rurouni Kenshin franchise since the original manga concluded. It began serialization in Jump Square in September 2017 and has released nine collected volumes since then. The story is set in the 16th year of the Meiji era, several years after the end of the original series. It follows Kenshin, his wife Kaoru, and their son Kenji, along with new and returning characters, as they travel to Hokkaido. Their journey is sparked by the discovery that Kaoru’s father, previously thought dead, may be alive in Hokkaido. There, they become entangled with a mysterious group known as the Kenkaku Heiki.
The series has experienced several breaks throughout its publication history, including a major suspension in 2017 and other hiatuses in 2018 and 2021. Despite these pauses, the series has maintained a dedicated readership drawn to its blend of historical fiction, sword fighting, and character-driven storytelling. The return in March 2026 is structured as a time-limited break, unlike previous open-ended pauses, giving fans a clear date for the story’s continuation.
A Franchise Milestone
The return of the manga in 2026 will also coincide with celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the entire Rurouni Kenshin franchise. Promotional events are planned, including a special gallery of illustrations and interviews with Nobuhiro Watsuki discussing the creative process behind the Hokkaido storyline. This adds significance to the manga’s comeback, suggesting that the forthcoming chapters will carry substantial weight for the overall series. The original Rurouni Kenshin manga is one of the best-selling series of all time, with over 72 million copies sold.
Also Read: Rurouni Kenshin Season 2 Episode 1: Release Details, Streaming Info, Plot Insights, and More
