Shinsuke Kondō Explains Ongoing Ninja vs. Gokudo Hiatus, Sets Conditions for Return
The creator has finished chapter 147 and plans to restart the manga after completing storyboards for chapter 148.
Shinsuke Kondō apologized for Ninja vs. Gokudo's six-month hiatus and described ongoing mental health difficulties. Chapter 147 is complete, but the manga will return only after he finishes storyboarding chapter 148.
Shinsuke Kondō apologized on X/Twitter on Tuesday as his Ninja vs. Gokudo manga remained on hiatus after half a year. Its latest installment, chapter 146, debuted on March 23.
Kondō said mental health difficulties continue to affect his work. He does not feel particularly depressed, but cannot concentrate or work on storyboards.
After consulting psychosomatic medicine specialists, he learned he was experiencing an extended depressive phase of bipolar disorder. He is trying several approaches to manage his condition:
- Adjusting his medication dosage.
- Drawing illustrations.
- Taking part in activities for a change of pace.
Kondō has completed the manuscript for chapter 147. He plans to resume the manga once he finishes the storyboards for chapter 148.
Kodansha USA Publishing releases the manga digitally in English. Its synopsis describes a war between ninjas and yakuza that has shaped human history since before living memory.
The rough, masculine story follows two members of these rival groups. They spill blood through modern Tokyo's gutters to decide which elemental force will prevail.
Kondō began the manga on Kodansha's Comic Days website in January 2020. Kodansha published collected volume 17 on April 18, while Kodansha USA Publishing released English volume 13 on May 19.
A television anime adaptation premiered in October 2025. Amazon Prime Video streamed it worldwide and offered an English dub on the same day.
Sources: Shinsuke Kondō 's X/Twitter account via ANN
