Gamon Sakurai’s military science-fiction manga, “The Pool,” has officially concluded with the publication of its final chapter in the September issue of Kodansha’s Good! Afternoon magazine on Thursday. The series, which follows a space squad and their chief as they encounter terrifying creatures, began serialization in the same magazine in 2012.
The Journey of “The Pool”
“The Pool” initially launched in Kodansha’s Good! Afternoon magazine in February 2024. The story centered on a space squad and their leader, facing dangerous creatures within an abandoned mining facility after receiving a distress signal. While the manga began its serialization in 2024, its compiled book volumes wrapped up earlier, with the 17th and final volume released in Japan in May 2021. This indicates a potential earlier launch or a complex publication history for the tankobon releases compared to the magazine serialization.
Creator’s Previous Works
Gamon Sakurai is widely recognized for his previous work, “Ajin – Demi-Human,” a popular manga series that also concluded in 2021. “Ajin – Demi-Human” gained significant traction, inspiring a television anime adaptation, an anime film trilogy, and even a live-action film. Sakurai’s distinct style and storytelling in the science-fiction genre have garnered a dedicated readership.
Publication and Availability
“The Pool” was published in Japan by Kodansha. For English-speaking audiences, Vertical Comics and subsequently Kodansha USA Publishing have been responsible for releasing the manga. Crunchyroll also made new chapters available as they were published in Japan, providing timely access for international fans.
The conclusion of “The Pool” marks another chapter in Gamon Sakurai’s bibliography, leaving fans to anticipate his next venture in the world of manga.
