The ‘Yō, Aquarist’ (also known as ‘What’s Up, Aquarist?’ or ‘Hey, Aquarist!’) manga, created by Yūya Kurokami and Karuna Kanzaki, has officially ended its serialization. The final chapter was published in the September issue of Kadokawa’s Shōnen Ace magazine on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The third and final compiled book volume of the series is scheduled to ship on August 26, 2025.
The Story of ‘Yō, Aquarist’
The manga centers on a character named Tetsuo, a tough-looking individual with a hidden kind heart. The story begins after a summer festival, where Tetsuo discovers two goldfish in a plastic bag, discarded in the trash. Recalling a past trauma of accidentally killing goldfish as a child, he attempts to release them into a nearby river, believing he is setting them free.
An Unexpected Encounter
Tetsuo’s attempt to release the goldfish is interrupted by a young woman named Kanade, who identifies herself as an aquarist. Kanade informs Tetsuo that releasing the goldfish into the wild would effectively kill them, as they are meant to be kept by humans. She then convinces him to keep the goldfish, embarking on a journey to teach him the intricacies of fishkeeping. The second volume of the manga further develops this premise, with Kanade teaching Tetsuo how to treat a sick goldfish and introducing him to Miu and Mari, a marine life expert who is Kanade’s “big sister.”
Creators’ Background
Yūya Kurokami and Karuna Kanzaki launched ‘Yō, Aquarist’ in Shōnen Ace in August 2023. Prior to this series, the duo was well-known for their ‘Armed Girl’s Machiavellism’ (Busō Shōjo Machiavellism) manga, which ran in Shōnen Ace from March 2014 to June 2022. ‘Armed Girl’s Machiavellism’ concluded with its 13th and final compiled book volume in August 2022 and inspired an anime adaptation in April 2017.
