Chained Soldier Pushes Manga Return to December 12

Chained Soldier (Mato Seihei no Slave) is now scheduled to return with chapter 189 on December 12. The manga entered hiatus in October because of artist Yōhei Takemura’s poor health.

Shonen Jump+’s official X account, formerly Twitter, announced the revised date on Thursday. The return was originally planned for November 14, but the new date accounts for Takemura’s health.

The service’s editorial staff said in October that Takemura’s recovery takes priority. Future pacing will depend on medical advice and consultation with writer Takahiro and Takemura.

The battle fantasy takes place in a world where a demonic gate has unleashed monsters called Shūki. A special peach tree grants powers exclusively to women.

The story begins when down-on-his-luck boy Yūki Wakura meets Uzen Kyōka. She holds the peach’s power and commands the 7th Anti-Demon Squad.

Takahiro, whose credits include Akame ga KILL!, and Takemura launched the manga on the Shonen Jump+ manga website in January 2019. Takemura’s credits include the Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father! (Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai!) manga.

Yen Press publishes Chained Soldier in English. Its Japanese title literally means “Slave of the Magic Capital’s Elite Troops.”

Takemura said in October that they injured their right wrist in June, damaging its fibrocartilage. They continued drawing with a brace, but the strain caused pain and hindered recovery.

Full recovery requires a long time, Takemura said. They stopped working on the manga’s drafts to let their wrist heal.

The anime adaptation’s first season premiered in Japan in January 2024. Its second season premiered on January 8. HIDIVE streamed both seasons as they aired and also streamed English dubs for both.

A third season is in the works.