Great news for manga fans! Shinobu Seguchi, the talented creator behind Shūjin Riku and Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- is bringing his works to a wider audience. Both manga series will be released digitally in English in North America this summer.
A Summer of Seguchi: What to Expect
Anime News Network (ANN) announced the digital English releases. Akita Shoten confirmed the summer debut. This marks the first time these series will be available in English, giving fans a chance to dive into Seguchi’s thrilling storytelling and dynamic art style.
Shūjin Riku: A Dystopian Escape
Shūjin Riku, a 38-volume manga series, ran in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine from 2011 to 2018. The story plunges readers into a near-future Tokyo, a decade after a meteorite strike devastated the city.
Storyline
Riku Kurita, a 13-year-old boy, struggles to survive in the Tokyo slums. Falsely accused of a crime, Riku is sentenced to 30 years in a remote, inescapable prison. The manga follows Riku’s desperate fight for freedom, battling against injustice and seemingly insurmountable odds.
What to Expect
- Intense Prison Break Action: Expect thrilling escape attempts and clever strategies as Riku navigates the harsh realities of prison life.
- Dystopian Setting: Explore a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, where the divide between rich and poor is stark, and survival is a daily struggle.
- Compelling Characters: Discover a cast of memorable characters, from fellow inmates to corrupt officials, each with their own motivations and secrets.
Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-: Historical Heroism
Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- is a manga adaptation of Shōgo Imamura’s Ushūboro Tobigumi historical novel series. Seguchi launched the manga in Weekly Shōnen Champion on April 24, 2025.
Storyline
Set in the Edo era, the story revolves around the hikeshigumi, community firefighters who bravely protected the city’s wooden and paper homes from devastating fires. As mysterious arsons plague Edo, these firefighters, a mix of samurai and determined citizens, race against time to save lives and uncover the truth behind the escalating infernos.
What to Expect
- Historical Setting: Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Edo-era Japan, with its unique customs, social structures, and dangers.
- Heroic Firefighters: Witness the courage and dedication of the hikeshigumi as they risk their lives to protect their community.
- Intrigue and Mystery: Unravel the secrets behind the arsons and the forces that seek to plunge Edo into chaos.
Anime Expo Appearance
Fans will have the chance to see Shinobu Seguchi in person at this year’s Anime Expo in Los Angeles. He will be joining Dandelion Animation Studio president Kazuhiro Nishikawa at the “Amuse Creative Studio Presents: How the Pros Make Anime & Manga” panel on July 6 at 12:45 PM in room 411.
A Message from the Creator
In an interview with ANN, Seguchi shared his excitement about the English releases: “My manga Prisoner Riku has been translated and published in Asia and parts of Europe, but I am very excited that it will finally be digitally distributed in English. I was very conscious of making both Prisoner Riku and Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- entertaining, like Hollywood movies. I am nervous about how it will be received in the United States, the home of entertainment, but I am even more excited about the possibility of bringing it to a wider audience than ever before. I hope you enjoy the world of Shinobu Seguchi.”
Other Works and Adaptations
Ushūboro Tobigumi Novel Series
Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- is based on Shogo Imamura’s Ushūboro Tobigumi novel series, which began in March 2017. The series has twelve volumes and a short story collection.
Anime Adaptation
The first novel in the Ushūboro Tobigumi series, Hikuidori (Fire Eater), is also getting a television anime adaptation by SynergySP, slated for release in winter 2026.
About Shinobu Seguchi
Shinobu Seguchi is a Japanese manga artist known for his dynamic action scenes, compelling characters, and intricate world-building. Shūjin Riku is one of his most notable works, praised for its gripping storyline and intense portrayal of prison life. His adaptation of Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- promises to bring the same level of excitement and artistry to the historical fiction genre.
Shūjin Riku: A Deeper Dive
Shūjin Riku (Prisoner Riku) is a Japanese manga series that was serialized in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion from February 10, 2011, to February 15, 2018. The manga was collected into 38 tankōbon volumes.
Plot Details
One night, a meteorite crashes into Tokyo, leaving a large part of the city in ruins. Ten years later, the destroyed area has become a slum, isolated from the rest of the city. Riku Kurita, orphaned by the meteorite, lives in the slums under the care of a police officer, Goro Fujimoto. When Fujimoto attempts to expose the corrupt activities of the Tokyo police chief, he is assassinated, and Riku is framed for the murder.
Riku is sent to Paradise Island Penitentiary, a remote island prison. Determined to clear his name and escape, Riku faces numerous challenges, including violent inmates, corrupt guards, and the harsh conditions of the prison.
Themes
- Injustice: The manga explores the theme of injustice as Riku is wrongly accused and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.
- Survival: Riku’s struggle to survive in the brutal prison environment highlights the will to live and the lengths people will go to in order to endure.
- Corruption: The story exposes the corruption within the Tokyo police force and the abuse of power by those in authority.
- Hope: Despite the bleak setting and the challenges he faces, Riku never gives up hope of escaping and clearing his name.
Reception
Shūjin Riku was well-received in Japan and has been praised for its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and intense action sequences. The manga has also been noted for its depiction of social issues and its exploration of themes such as injustice and corruption.
The World of Oedo Fire Slayer
Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- (Hikuidori Ushūboro Tobigumi) is based on the Ushūboro Tobigumi novel series by Shogo Imamura. The manga adaptation by Shinobu Seguchi began serialization in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion in April 2025.
Ushūboro Tobigumi Novels
The Ushūboro Tobigumi novel series is a historical fiction series set in the Edo period of Japan. The series follows the adventures of a group of firefighters known as the Ushūboro Tobigumi, who are tasked with protecting the city of Edo from fires.
Characters
- Firefighters: The firefighters of the Ushūboro Tobigumi are the main characters of the series. They are brave and dedicated individuals who risk their lives to protect the city and its people.
- Arsonists: The arsonists are the antagonists of the series. They are responsible for setting the fires that threaten the city.
- Other Characters: The series also features a variety of other characters, including government officials, merchants, and ordinary citizens.
Themes
- Courage: The firefighters of the Ushūboro Tobigumi display great courage in the face of danger.
- Duty: The characters are driven by a sense of duty to protect their city and its people.
- Community: The series emphasizes the importance of community and the need for people to work together to overcome challenges.
Anime Adaptation Details
The anime television series adaptation of Hikuidori is produced by SynergySP and is scheduled to premiere in Q1 2026.
Get Ready for English Releases!
Mark your calendars! This summer, English-speaking manga fans can finally experience the thrilling worlds of Shinobu Seguchi’s Shūjin Riku and Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-. Get ready for action, suspense, and unforgettable stories!
