Kumiko Saiki’s beloved manga series, Kageki Shojo!!, has officially entered its final arc. The announcement was made by Saiki on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, confirming that the popular series will conclude with one more volume.
This development follows a brief hiatus in February of this year, with the manga resuming serialization in March. The news marks a significant moment for fans who have followed the dramatic journeys of the aspiring actresses at the Kouka School of Musical and Theatrical Arts.
The Legacy of Kageki Shojo!!
Kageki Shojo!! is a captivating drama that delves into the competitive and often challenging world of an all-female musical theater troupe, heavily inspired by Japan’s real-life Takarazuka Revue. The series has garnered critical acclaim for its compelling narrative and intricate character development.
From Kageki Shojo! to Kageki Shojo!!
The franchise began with Kageki Shojo! (with one exclamation mark), which was serialized in Shueisha’s Jump X magazine from 2012 to 2014. This initial run concluded after the magazine ceased publication. Kumiko Saiki then launched the ongoing sequel series, Kageki Shojo!! (with two exclamation marks), in Hakusensha’s Melody magazine in 2015. The sequel has since been collected into sixteen tankōbon volumes, with the latest, Volume 16, released on September 5, 2025.
The original series was later re-released by Hakusensha as Kageki Shojo!! Season Zero in a single omnibus volume in March 2019. This re-release, titled Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises, has been licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment, which is also releasing the ongoing Kageki Shojo!! series in English.
The Story So Far: Dreams, Drama, and Dedication
Kageki Shojo!! centers on the lives of students at the prestigious Kouka School of Musical and Theatrical Arts. The narrative primarily follows Sarasa Watanabe, a tall and exuberant student who dreams of becoming an “otokoyaku” (an actress who plays male roles) and eventually starring as Oscar in a Kouka Revue production of The Rose of Versailles. Her roommate and unlikely friend is Ai Narata, a stoic former J-pop idol seeking to escape a troubled past.
The manga explores their journey through the rigorous two-year program, where they grapple with intense training in singing, dancing, and acting, while navigating complex friendships, rivalries, and personal struggles. The series is praised for tackling sensitive topics such as self-esteem issues, past traumas, eating disorders, and sexual assault with a nuanced approach, often depicting how characters support each other through these challenges.
Cultural Impact and Adaptations
The Kageki Shojo!! manga was nominated for Best Shōjo Manga in Kodansha’s 44th annual Manga Awards in 2020. Its popularity led to an anime television series adaptation, also titled Kageki Shojo!!, which aired from July to September 2021. The anime, animated by Pine Jam and directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda, brought the vibrant world of Kouka to a wider audience.
In addition to the anime, the series has also been adapted into a stage play. The first stage play ran in Tokyo in October 2023, and a sequel has been announced for December 2024, set to run at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo. Chapter 3, titled “The Final,” is also announced to run from November 1-5, 2025, at the Mitsukoshi Theater.
What’s Next for the Kouka Girls
As Kageki Shojo!! enters its final arc, fans are anticipating the culmination of Sarasa and Ai’s stories, along with their classmates. The cultural festival, which marks the end of their two-year journey at the school, is a current focus, with the 100th generation students diligently practicing for their roles in the “Rippling” performance. The final volume promises to tie together the intricate threads of dreams, perseverance, and the bonds forged in the pursuit of theatrical stardom.
