Aki Akimoto, the creator of the popular manga series Mechanical Marie (Kikaijikake no Marie), has launched a sequel to her beloved romantic comedy. Fans of the series, which follows the story of Marie, a martial artist who pretends to be a robot maid for a wealthy and eccentric master, can rejoice in the continuation of this heartwarming and hilarious tale.
What We Know About the Mechanical Marie Sequel
While details are still emerging, here’s what we know about the next chapter in the Mechanical Marie saga:
- Aki Akimoto’s Creation: The sequel is being crafted by the same talented mangaka, Aki Akimoto, who brought us the original Mechanical Marie. Akimoto’s storytelling and artistic style are sure to deliver the same charm and wit that captivated readers in the first series.
- Continuation of a Beloved Story: Mechanical Marie charmed readers with its unique premise and lovable characters. The story revolves around Marie Evans, a former martial arts prodigy burdened by debt, who takes on the unusual job of portraying a robot maid for Arthur Louis Zetes, a wealthy heir who despises humans. To avoid execution, Marie must maintain her robotic facade, even as Arthur begins to dote on her. The sequel promises to continue exploring the evolving relationship between Marie and Arthur, along with the comedic challenges of their unusual circumstances.
- Serialized in LaLa Magazine: The original Mechanical Marie manga was serialized in Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine from June 2020 to June 2023. The sequel is likely to appear in the same magazine, continuing its connection to its fanbase. Keep an eye on LaLa magazine’s official website and social media for updates on the sequel’s release schedule.
- TV anime adaptation in the Works: In addition to the manga sequel, fans can also look forward to a TV anime adaptation of Mechanical Marie. The anime adaptation was announced in August 2024, generating further excitement for the series. This will introduce the story to a broader audience and bring the characters to life in a new and exciting way.
- Yen Press Licensing: North American fans of Mechanical Marie can look forward to reading the manga in English, as Yen Press has licensed the series for English publication, starting in February 2025.
The World of Mechanical Marie
To fully appreciate the excitement surrounding the sequel, it’s helpful to understand the world and characters of Mechanical Marie:
- The Premise: In a world where Arthur Louis Zetes distrusts humans due to their greed, he seeks the perfect, emotionless servant – a robot maid. However, technological limitations lead his butler to hire Marie Evans, a skilled martial artist with a stoic demeanor, to impersonate a robot.
- The Characters:
- Marie Evans: A former martial arts prodigy who takes on the role of a robot maid to escape debt. Despite her initial coldness, she is touched by Arthur’s kindness.
- Arthur Louis Zetes: A wealthy and handsome heir with a deep distrust of humans. He is unexpectedly kind and doting towards inanimate objects, including Marie in her “robot” persona.
- Romantic Comedy: Mechanical Marie blends humor and romance, creating a heartwarming story that has resonated with many readers. The comedic situations arising from Marie’s attempts to maintain her robotic persona, coupled with Arthur’s growing affection, form the core of the series’ appeal.
Aki Akimoto: The Author Behind the Series
Aki Akimoto is a talented manga artist known for Mechanical Marie and Mairimashita to Iwasetai. Akimoto’s work is characterized by charming characters, comedic situations, and heartwarming relationships.
- Other Works: Besides Mechanical Marie, Aki Akimoto is also the creator of the manga series Mairimashita to Iwasetai (“I Want You to Say You Lose”), a romantic comedy about the next generation representatives of two yakuza groups who engage in a honey trap showdown.
Anime Adaptation
The announcement of a TV anime adaptation of Mechanical Marie has amplified the excitement surrounding the series.
- Production Details: While specific details such as the animation studio, director, and cast are yet to be revealed, the anime adaptation promises to bring the manga’s charming story and characters to life on screen.
- Release Date: The release date for the anime adaptation is currently unknown.
- Where to Watch: Once released, the Mechanical Marie anime is likely to be available on popular streaming platforms.
What to Expect from the Sequel
While concrete details about the sequel’s plot remain under wraps, fans can anticipate a continuation of the themes and elements that made the original series so enjoyable:
- Further Exploration of Marie and Arthur’s Relationship: The core of Mechanical Marie is the evolving relationship between Marie and Arthur. The sequel is likely to delve deeper into their feelings for each other, exploring the challenges and heartwarming moments that arise from their unusual circumstances.
- More Hilarious Situations: The humor in Mechanical Marie stems from Marie’s attempts to maintain her robotic facade and the misunderstandings that arise from Arthur’s interactions with her. The sequel will likely feature new and equally funny situations as Marie navigates her role as a “robot” maid.
- New Characters and Challenges: The sequel may introduce new characters who will impact Marie and Arthur’s lives, creating new challenges and opportunities for growth. These new additions could add fresh dynamics to the story and further complicate the already intricate plot.
- Unveiling the Past: The sequel could delve deeper into the pasts of Marie and Arthur, revealing more about their motivations and the events that shaped their personalities. This could provide a richer understanding of their characters and add depth to their relationship.
Where to Read
- LaLa Magazine: The sequel will most likely be serialized in Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine. Keep an eye on the magazine’s website and social media for updates.
- Tankōbon Volumes: As the sequel chapters are released, they will likely be collected into tankōbon (collected book) volumes. These volumes will be available for purchase.
- Yen Press (English Release): Yen Press has licensed the original Mechanical Marie manga for English publication, starting in February 2025. They will likely also license the sequel for English release once it becomes available.
Why This Matters
The return of Mechanical Marie is significant for several reasons:
- Continuation of a Popular Series: The sequel provides fans with the opportunity to return to a world and characters they love, experiencing new adventures and heartwarming moments.
- Aki Akimoto’s Continued Success: The sequel demonstrates Aki Akimoto’s continued creativity and popularity as a manga artist. It allows her to further develop the themes and characters that have resonated with readers.
- Growth of the Manga and Anime Community: The anime adaptation and Yen Press licensing indicate the growing global interest in manga and anime. Mechanical Marie‘s success contributes to the expansion and diversification of the industry.
Conclusion
With a TV anime adaptation on the horizon and a manga sequel in the works, the world of Mechanical Marie is expanding, offering fans more opportunities to immerse themselves in its unique blend of romance, comedy, and heartwarming moments. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, now is the perfect time to discover the charm of Mechanical Marie and anticipate the exciting developments to come.
