The world of absurdist comedy is about to shift gears, as the Pop Team Epic manga, known for its rapid-fire daily updates, is changing its update schedule. Series creator Bkub Okawa announced on Friday, May 30, 2025, that new content will now be released on the 15th of each month. This marks a significant change for fans accustomed to the daily stream of unpredictable humor.
A Schedule Shift Shrouded in Mystery
Okawa’s announcement, delivered via social media, was characteristically cryptic. While confirming the move away from daily updates starting in June, the creator stated, “he is sorry that he cannot explain why he will switch to a new schedule”. The announcement was accompanied by an image featuring Popuko in a stroller and Pipimi carrying what appears to be a Nintendo Switch 2, adding another layer of intrigue.
A History of Hilarious Hiatuses and Trolling
To fully appreciate the weight of this scheduling change, it’s essential to understand the history of Pop Team Epic. Launched in 2014 on Takeshobo’s Manga Life Win website, the manga quickly gained a cult following for its surreal humor, pop culture references, and fourth-wall-breaking antics.
Pop Team Epic has seen multiple “seasons,” each marked by shifts in style, format, and even supposed cancellations, often revealed to be elaborate jokes. For example, the series was “cancelled” by Takeshobo during its first season, only to return later with jokes about the publisher threatening cancellation or planning to replace Popuko and Pipimi.
The Ever-Evolving Art Style and Characters
The visual style of Pop Team Epic has also been in constant flux. Early strips featured Popuko and Pipimi with mouths that opened and closed, a detail later abandoned for their signature neutral expressions. The characters’ overall designs have also become rounder over time.
Why the Change? Potential Factors
While Bkub Okawa has not provided a reason for the change in the update schedule, several factors could be contributing to the decision:
Creative Burnout: Producing daily content, especially of the absurdist variety, can be creatively demanding. A monthly schedule may allow Okawa more time to develop fresh and original ideas, preventing the series from becoming stale.
Health Concerns: In the past, Okawa has taken hiatuses due to health concerns. A less demanding schedule could be a proactive measure to prioritize well-being.
Contractual Obligations: The frequency of manga releases can be dictated by contracts with publishers. It’s possible that Okawa’s contract has been renegotiated, leading to the change in schedule.
New Projects: Okawa has launched other manga series, such as Chinchillaland. Balancing multiple projects could necessitate a less frequent update schedule for Pop Team Epic.
It’s Just Another Troll: Given Pop Team Epic‘s history of meta-humor and trolling, the scheduling change itself could be another elaborate joke. Perhaps the daily updates will continue, or the monthly releases will be something entirely unexpected.
What This Means for Fans
The move to a monthly update schedule will undoubtedly be a significant adjustment for Pop Team Epic fans. While the daily dose of absurdity will be missed, a less frequent schedule could ultimately benefit the quality and longevity of the series. Fans can now mark their calendars for the 15th of each month, anticipating the next chapter in Popuko and Pipimi’s bizarre adventures.
The Legacy of Pop Team Epic
Regardless of the reasons behind the change, Pop Team Epic has left an undeniable mark on the world of manga and anime. Its influence can be seen in other comedy series that embrace surreal humor, pop culture references, and meta-commentary.
Anime Adaptations and Global Reach
The Pop Team Epic manga has been adapted into a successful anime series, known for its unique format of repeating each episode with different voice actors and subtle variations. The anime has been streamed on various platforms, including Crunchyroll, Netflix, and HIDIVE, gaining a global audience.
The anime is structured as an anthology, with short segments similar to variety shows. Each 12-minute segment is repeated with different voice actors. The production team gives the voice actors freedom to improvise. This format was initially conceived because the episodes were too short for a full TV slot.
Merchandise and Cultural Impact
Pop Team Epic‘s popularity has also led to a wide range of merchandise, from figures and apparel to collaborations with other franchises. The series has become a cultural phenomenon, with its characters and catchphrases permeating internet culture.
The producer of the anime believed the series would sell a lot of merchandise due to its characters, comparing it to series like Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan.
A Look Back at Pop Team Epic’s Milestones
- 2014: Pop Team Epic launches on Manga Life Win.
- 2015: First “season” ends.
- 2016: “Season 2” begins.
- 2017: “Season 2” ends, “Season 3” begins.
- 2018: Anime series premieres, “Season 3” ends.
- 2019: “Season 4” begins with a boys-love twist, a “new series” titled Poputan is launched but retroactively revealed to be “Season 5”.
- 2022: Second anime series premieres.
- 2023: Compiled book volume for “season 7” is published.
- 2025: “Season 9” launches, followed by the announcement of the change to a monthly update schedule.
What to Expect from Monthly Updates
While the future of Pop Team Epic is uncertain, fans can likely expect the following from the monthly updates:
Unpredictable Humor: The series will likely continue to deliver its signature blend of surreal humor, pop culture references, and meta-commentary.
Visual Gags: Expect the unexpected in terms of visual style, with potential shifts in character design and animation techniques.
Guest Artists: Pop Team Epic has a history of collaborating with other artists. The monthly updates could feature guest contributions from various creators.
Meta-Narratives: The series will likely continue to play with its own narrative, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Embracing the Change
The shift to a monthly update schedule may be bittersweet for Pop Team Epic fans, but it also presents an opportunity for the series to evolve and reinvent itself. By embracing the change and remaining open to the unexpected, fans can continue to enjoy the wild and unpredictable world of Popuko and Pipimi.
As Pop Team Epic enters this new chapter, one thing is certain: the series will continue to defy expectations and challenge the boundaries of comedy. Whether the monthly updates bring even more elaborate gags or a completely new direction for the series remains to be seen, but fans can be sure that Pop Team Epic will continue to be anything but ordinary.
